Signs You May Have a Testosterone Deficiency

If your body were a car, the gas would be your hormones. Scientists have discovered that your body contains over 50 hormones, each contributing something unique to your health. 

Testosterone is one of the most talked about hormones because it controls many functions, from regulating and maintaining growth and development to fueling your sex drive. 

Over time or as a result of health problems, your testosterone levels dwindle. If you don't know what to look for, you could wind up dealing with long-term side effects. 

Dr. Christopher J Fischer at Natural Health Specialists LLC has years of experience diagnosing and treating low testosterone, and he wants to make sure our patients are equipped to recognize the earliest warning signs. 

Here's a closer look at how your body changes when your testosterone levels drop. 

Low sex drive

Testosterone deficiency is notorious for lowering libido. That's because testosterone is one of the key players in your sex drive. Decreased sex drive is a common age-related problem, but if your hormones take a dive, you'll notice a more dramatic drop.

Difficulty achieving and maintaining an erection

Testosterone is essential for getting you in the mood, and it helps with the anatomical side of things. It signals your brain to produce nitric oxide, a molecule responsible for triggering a series of chemical reactions required for an erection. Without testosterone, getting and keeping an erection can be difficult. 

Hot flashes

Hot flashes aren't just a problem for menopausal women. A testosterone deficiency can cause sudden warmth, heavy sweating, reddening of the skin, and even night sweats. 

Hair loss

You may not realize it, but testosterone is also responsible for keeping your hair in place (and keeping it coming back when it falls out). Balding is a natural part of aging for some men and a hereditary problem for others, but if you also have low testosterone, you may notice you lose body and facial hair as well.

Increased fatigue

Low testosterone can make you constantly tired even if you get enough sleep. A deficiency can also make it harder to muster the energy and motivation to exercise, which can lead to other health problems. 

Decreased muscle mass

Are you noticing that your biceps are looking a bit smaller these days? You can likely blame it on a testosterone deficiency. Fortunately, just because you lose muscle mass doesn't necessarily mean you'll lose strength. 

One study found that men who lost muscle mass as a result of low testosterone were still just as strong before their hormones started to wane. 

More body fat

Men with low testosterone also experience increased body fat. Some develop gynecomastia, a condition that enlarges breast tissue in men. 

Decreased bone mass

You may associate hormone-related bone problems like osteoporosis with menopause, but men with low testosterone are also at risk for bone loss. Testosterone is vital to producing and strengthening your bones. As your testosterone levels drop, your bones weaken, leaving you vulnerable to fractures.

Low blood count

Many have linked testosterone deficiency to anemia, a condition that affects your red blood cell count. Anemia often causes difficulty concentrating, dizziness, leg cramping, trouble sleeping, and a fast heart rate.

Mood and memory problems

Not only does low testosterone impact you physically, but it can also change your mood and mental capacity. Many men with a testosterone deficiency struggle with cognitive functions, especially when it comes to their memory. 

Now what?

If you suspect your symptoms point to a testosterone problem, your first step is to schedule a telehealth appointment with Dr. Fischer. He thoroughly reviews your health and symptoms and works with your current provider to confirm that you have low testosterone levels. 

Then, he creates a customized treatment plan to help you feel like yourself again. Usually, treating a testosterone deficiency means balancing your hormones. To do that, we recommend a combination of herbal and nutrition supplements to support your well-being and stabilize your hormones. 

Additionally, we help you make lifestyle adjustments that boost your overall health and go a long way toward managing your symptoms. 

We provide our services on a low-cost monthly subscription basis. Our subscriptions include one monthly appointment with our expert and access to all of our educational materials. 

If you'd like to know for sure that you have testosterone deficiency, don't wait. Call or click to schedule a telehealth appointment today.