Doctor shares 11 overlooked signs men have low testosterone

Often thought as the engine of ‘masculine energy’, testosterone is a vital hormone in men’s sexual development and function.

While it’s not exactly the root to being competitive, aggressive and all-round ‘manly’, it is most often associated with sex drive and is important in sperm production.

Men primarily produce testosterone in the testicles while women’s ovaries also produce it, though in far smaller amounts.

Increasing significantly during puberty, the production for men tends to start to dip after reaching 30 or so years old.

The hormone also affects bone and muscle mass, red blood cell production and the way men store fat in the body. With levels also able to impact a person’s mood, low testosterone levels can cause a variety of side effects on a man's health and body.

Low levels of testosterone can have a number of effects. (Getty Stock)

Low testosterone

Also known as low T levels, other factors besides age can cause this such as injury, cancer treatments, chronic health conditions and stress.

Urologist Rena Malik says there are 11 signs that ‘most men’ overlook when it comes to possibly having low testosterone.

She says that when it isn’t working properly ‘you start feeling it in places you never even realised’. And the ‘problem’ happens when the decrease in production is ‘steeper’ than usual, meaning you may need to seek hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

A GP may order a blood test to measure your levels, as lifestyle changes, medication or a talking therapy can be offered.

If results find you have a testosterone deficiency, a specialist will be referred. An endocrinologist may then offer testosterone replacement, usually as an injection or gel, which should relieve symptoms.

She says night sweats can be a sign. (Getty Stock)

The 11 ‘overlooked’ signs of low testosterone

According to Dr Malik, the 11 signs are:

· Significant sex drive drop

· Erectile difficulties

· Sleep fatigue

· Muscle loss

· Mood changes

· Increased fat mass

· Bone loss

· Thinning body and facial hair

· Hot flashes and night sweats

· Breast enlargement

· Unexplained anaemia

Dr Malik says it's a complex relationship but low levels can impact facial hair. (Getty Stock)

Facial hair

Dr Malik explains that the relationship between testosterone and hair is ‘very complex’.

“So the potent converted form of testosterone is dihydrotestosterone,” which she explains is associated with scalp hair loss in men ‘who are genetically susceptible’.

“But body hair and facial hair are different. When testosterone levels are low, hair in these areas becomes sparser,” Dr Malik continues. “It grows slower and patchier.”

She says this can be a sign of testosterone possibly being low.

Men may experience gynecomastia. (Getty Stock)

Breast enlargement

Dr Malik says this can catch people ‘off guard’ as when the levels drop, it can shift the balance ‘between how much testosterone versus estrogen’ is in the male body.

Men usually produce small amounts of this and when testosterone falls, it can become more prominent in its effect on the body.

“So, men can get what we call gynecomastia or ‘man boobs’,” the urologist explains. “They’ll just feel like tenderness and sensitivity in the chest. Some guys even notice a sort of firm rubbery disc of tissue that is behind the nipple.”

Increased fat mass

When testosterone declines, there is typically a loss of muscle mass.

Dr Malik explains that therefore, the body becomes ‘less sensitive to insulin’ which can mean it’s ‘more easier to store fat’.

“And the result is that there’s a shift in how and where your body stores fat,” she explains. “Specifically, you see it more in the abdomen or the belly.”

Always seek out a healthcare professional for medical advice.