Testosterone is a steroid hormone that is present in the bodies of both men and women, although men have higher concentrations of it. Testosterone is made in the testes, ovaries, and adrenal glands and is derived from cholesterol. It is primarily responsible for the development of the male reproductive system and also plays a role in body hair growth, muscle mass, fat distribution, voice depth, and libido. In the body, some testosterone is converted into dihydrotestosterone, which plays a role in prostate enlargement and baldness, and estradiol, which is a type of estrogen.

It is normal for testosterone levels to decrease with age. This can be a result of declining testicular function as well as modifiable lifestyle factors, like how much you are exercising. However, some men have low testosterone independent of this age-related decline. And while there are many possible causes for low testosterone (alcohol abuse, diabetes, genetic disorders, metabolic disorders, medications, trauma, etc.), some men may never discover what is causing it in them. Low testosterone is a medical condition that should be treated with the guidance of a healthcare professional.

There are a variety of symptoms you may be experiencing that could indicate you have low testosterone. Having little interest in sex or having difficulty getting or maintaining an erection are two of the sexual symptoms related to low testosterone. However, there are also more nonspecific symptoms such as low energy, depression, decreased muscle mass, increased fat mass, and decreased body hair. If you have any of these symptoms, you should talk to your healthcare provider about whether you may be suffering from low testosterone.

If you think you may have low testosterone, you should talk to a healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will likely ask many questions to find out more about your medical history, your risk factors, and your symptoms. A blood test can then diagnose whether or not you have low testosterone. Your testosterone levels change throughout the day and are generally highest in the morning, so it is likely that your healthcare provider will ask you to do the blood test between 8:00am and 10:00am, and that they will do this twice to confirm the diagnosis. Once you have the results, your healthcare provider will be able to counsel you on the next best steps for you. If you do have low testosterone, your healthcare provider may try to figure out the cause or may suggest treating you with testosterone replacement therapy or other therapies to increase testosterone levels.