Early Signs of Testosterone Deficiency to Watch Out For
Verified By
KIMS-SUNSHINE
Specialist,
11 April, 2025
Testosterone is a very well known male sex hormone, but it is also present in small quantities in women. Testosterone is the main hormone that causes boys to sexually mature at puberty, leading to changes like increase in muscle mass and body hair, change in voice, an improved metabolism and arguably the most important function- in production of sperm and supporting fertility in boys. In general, testosterone levels are highest at puberty and gradually begin to decrease with advancing age. This deficiency or low levels of testosterone is called ‘testosterone deficiency syndrome’ and this diagnosis is given when the amount of testosterone is less than 300 ng/dl of blood. The leydig cells in the testis of men synthesise this crucial hormone.
Early Symptoms Of Testosterone Deficiency In Men-
India has a significant population of males who suffer from hypogonadism or testosterone deficiency and studies have shown that about 30% of men above 60 years of age suffer from this condition. The risk is much higher if someone is diabetic, hypertensive or suffers from similar chronic conditions. Testosterone levels do decrease by about a percent or so, every year after a person turns 40, but any lower, then it could be problematic. Since testosterone is responsible for maintenance of metabolism, red blood cell numbers, muscle mass and bone density, all of these get affected when there is a deficiency. Some other symptoms include loss of libido, erectile dysfunction, shrinking testicles and male infertility due to low or no sperm count.
Testosterone deficiency in women can cause a few symptoms like- low libido, poorer bone and muscle mass and health, changes in mood and affect fertility, just like in men. They also have to deal with irregular periods, vaginal dryness, hair loss, changes in skin texture and cannot fall asleep easily.
Low Testosterone And Weight Gain: What To Look For-
Testosterone deficiency can cause your metabolism to slow down, leading to more fat deposition in the body. Muscle mass decreases and men don’t seem to have as much energy as before. This is also how testosterone deficiency affects energy and sleep because you feel depressed and have to deal with insomnia. This is because testosterone is produced when men are deep in sleep, while also reducing cortisol levels.
Conclusion
A common question that people have is how to naturally increase testosterone if levels are low. The answer is simple- you need to eat right, exercise regularly and try to manage stress effectively. Low testosterone levels can be diagnosed with simple blood tests which check for the amount of hormone in a fixed amount of sample. Hormone replacement therapy is suggested when quality of life deteriorates. But, this can be problematic in women and cause some unwanted side effects like deeper voice, baldness, acne, hirsutism or excessive hair growth, along with other factors. Treatment for deficiency in women is generally discouraged due to more problems coming up afterwards.
