In men, testosterone is a hormone that is quite important as it helps develop and regulate sexual features, bone density, sexual and reproductive function, muscle mass, appropriate levels of red blood cells, and a sense of well-being.
Low testosterone, also called ‘Low-T’ levels in men, is most commonly associated with aging. As you grow older from the age of 30, your testosterone levels start decreasing by approximately 1% every year. But it is not just older men who suffer from Low-T. Although not extremely common, even young men can suffer from low testosterone levels due to many different reasons.
Causes of Low-T in Young Men
Several conditions that are not linked to a person’s age can be the reason why they are suffering from lower testosterone levels. Some of these include:
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Hormonal Disorder
- Infections
- Narcotics
- Kidney or Liver Diseases
- Drinking excess amounts of alcohol
- Chemotherapy or radiation from Cancer treatments
- Tumors
- Testicle Injuries
Signs of Low Testosterone in Young Males
There are many symptoms of Low-T levels that you can observe in men and identify that they might be going through this condition. Regardless of your age, here are some signs that males display when suffering from lower testosterone levels:
- Disturbance or changes in sleep patterns. Sometimes even Insomnia.
- Sexually related changes such as a decrease in sexual desires, infertility, and difficulty getting erections.
- Reduced muscle mass and increased body fat.
- Mood swings, lack of focus, getting easily irritated, and depression.
- Being fatigued easily
- Loss of body hair
- Smaller, softer testicles
- Low blood count
- Low semen volume
Diagnosis of Low-T
The diagnosis of Low-T involves getting a blood test done where the doctor measures the amount of testosterone in your blood.
The American Urology Association defines Low-T as a condition where the hormone is less than 300 nanograms(ng) per deciliter(dl) of blood.
The test is usually carried out in the morning around 8 AM as that is the time when hormone levels are at their highest. Testosterone levels change throughout the day, and hence the measurements are conducted several times before coming to a conclusion regarding your T levels.
Some doctors may also conduct a physical examination of your body. In this test, they may measure hair patterns across your body, your testicle size, prostate size, and any other abnormalities that may point towards an imbalance of testosterone.
Treatment for Low Testosterone
Treatment for Low-T will completely depend on the cause of the situation. In some cases, treatment isn’t required, and better lifestyle habits must be adopted to solve the issue.
In other situations, your doctor will examine your medical history and, depending on your diagnosis, will suggest a plan to incorporate a mix of lifestyle changes, supplements, and testosterone replacement therapy.
Make sure you do not take any action of your own. Consult an expert in the field, and they will help you move forward in the right direction.
