Testosterone Therapy: What Men Need to Know About Low T and TRT Treatment Los Angeles Times

Low Testosterone Symptoms: Mood, Weight, and Sex

Free testosterone (the active form) also matters, as does the patient’s overall health picture. In 2025, clinics like AlphaMan, a men’s health center specializing in hormone optimization, are rethinking how testosterone therapy fits into modern masculinity. Because when it comes to low testosterone, the stakes extend far beyond the gym.

While you can blame forgetfulness or not feeling as sharp as you once were on getting older, these could also be signs that your testosterone is low. Some of the symptoms of low testosterone in a man are subtle, while others are more obvious. And many of the symptoms of low testosterone mirror symptoms of other illnesses and conditions, making it even harder to ID the cause. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a common treatment for low testosterone. People with low testosterone, especially older males, may have lower bone volume and be more susceptible to bone fractures. The raw/processed data required to reproduce the above findings cannot be shared at this time due to legal/ ethical reasons. Growth hormone deficiency that occurs in childhood causes short stature.

Low blood sugar may be the main sign that what’s a healthy testosterone level child has growth hormone deficiency. Reduced height might not become obvious until they’re older and their development does not align with the expected rate. They can be used in the treatment of both metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, assuming the cancer cells carry the appropriate genetic mutation. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors block a protein that prostate cancer cells need to repair damaged DNA. Chemotherapy agents, most commonly docetaxel, may be used when hormone treatments stop working and a person has metastatic CRPC.

Specific research has explored the role of nutrients like vitamin D, zinc, and magnesium in maintaining healthy testosterone levels. Consider supplementation if you’re not getting enough in your regular diet. Weight training, in particular, is beneficial for supporting healthy T levels, according to research. A small 2015 study of men in their 40s and 50s found that obese and overweight individuals experienced a boost in their T levels after increasing their physical activity.

If you’re taking hormone replacement therapy, regular follow-up appointments with a healthcare provider are important. Healthcare providers and medical researchers don’t know how to prevent low testosterone from genetic conditions or damage to your testicles, hypothalamus or pituitary gland. If you’re noticing it’s hard to get and keep an erection, it’s worth getting your testosterone levels checked. Plus, plenty of men walk around feeling crappy for years, not even thinking their hormones could be to blame. “A lot of guys walk into clinics running on fumes when it comes to their testosterone levels,” says Calvert.

Provenge is prescribed to treat mCRPC that causes minimal to no symptoms. This uniquely tailored vaccine is manufactured in a laboratory by combining a person’s white blood cells (infection-fighting cells) with a protein derived from prostate cancer cells. Androgen receptor blockers are intended to “intensify” androgen deprivation since some prostate cancer cells may still be responsive. These medicines are taken by mouth as a pill and block testosterone from binding to sites within prostate cancer cells. The majority of prostate cancers eventually stop responding to hormone therapy. At this time, the cancer is termed castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). In the past two decades scientists have increasingly uncovered how detrimental EDCs (Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals) can be to your overall health, including hormone health.

If you’re not getting adequate nighttime rest, your T levels may not reach their daytime peak. In one JAMA study (7), daytime testosterone levels decreased by 10-15% among healthy young men who restricted sleep to 5 hours per night for one week. Of course, skimping on sleep will make you tired in its own right, but there could be a double threat. You may have low testosterone if you’re experiencing a reduction in your sex drive, difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection, hair loss, and fatigue. A doctor can conduct tests, such as a serum testosterone test, to diagnose low testosterone.

Emily Shiffer is a freelance writer specializing in health, nutrition, weight loss, and fitness. Her work has been published in Women’s Health, Runner’s World, SELF, Health, and more. We source research from peer-reviewed medical journals, top government agencies, leading academic institutions, and respected advocacy groups.

However, as low testosterone causes a decrease in mass, the function and strength of the muscles do not diminish, according to a 2016 review. Here are five signs that could indicate you have a testosterone deficiency, along with actionable steps to help manage them from Michael Rotman, MD. Depending on how low your testosterone is and the causes, doctors can also refer you for testosterone replacement therapy. The condition is also referred to as testosterone deficiency or hypogonadism. Low testosterone can be caused by numerous things, with illness, injuries, stress and genetic conditions all playing a role in how the hormone is produced. Since testosterone is a key influencer in so many bodily functions for men, it’s no surprise that low T may result in serious emotional changes.