Testosterone is a vital hormone in males that helps with hair growth, fat distribution, voice deepening, bone mass and sexual development. As a person ages, testosterone production slows down, affecting the heart, brain, and bones. Note that low testosterone (T) issues may also occur in young men.
The best way to know your testosterone level is by taking a blood test. If the level falls below 300 nanograms per deciliter, the doctor will diagnose you with low T. Most symptoms associated with reduced testosterone are subtle, so it can be challenging to notice them. Here are some of the lesser-known side effects of low testosterone that can dramatically affect your life.
Decreased Bone Density
Testosterone is the hormone responsible for maintaining bone density and volume. Once the hormone level reduces, you may begin to notice decreased bone mass. Such a person becomes more susceptible to bone fractures with less force than usual. Most commonly, the fractures occur at the wrist, hip or spine. This is why the elderly develop osteoporosis. Some of the effects of osteoporosis include chronic pain and long-term disability.
The problem with bone weakening is that it sneaks up with no early warning signs since the process happens gradually. But some people experience neck and back pain due to compression fractures. Low bone mass also causes the vertebrae to thin and collapse, resulting in reduced height. Another common sign is stooped posture due to the weakening of the spine bones.
Possible Cardiovascular and Stroke Risks
According to a study, men with low T levels have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease. Reduced testosterone levels result in cholesterol increase. As a result, fatty deposits collect in the blood vessels, making it difficult to circulate blood freely.
These fat deposits can also break into firm clots that cause a heart attack or stroke. For men with low T levels, their bodies accumulate excessive fat, increasing the risk of developing diabetes type two.
Numbness and Nerves Problems
Low T levels cause numbness. This doesn’t mean that you completely lose sensation. A person with low testosterone levels will still feel when pinched. But, a touch on your genitals may fail to generate the sensation that sparks sexual encounters. Testosterone is also vital in the central nervous system development. It helps preserve the neuronal structure and function.
Once the hormone levels go down, it increases the chances of nerve damage, especially in the peripheral nervous system. Low T levels for men struggling with diabetes could increase numbness and nerve pain. In such a case, you may want to talk to your doctor, and they can prescribe testosterone replacement therapy to stop the numbness and ease the pain.
Decreased metabolic state
At the normal level, testosterone boosts body metabolism that helps burn fat more effectively. As men age and the testosterone level lowers, fat builds up in the belly area. Body fat has an enzyme known as aromatase that converts testosterone into estrogen.
Once the body accumulates a high estrogen level, it signals the system to stop producing testosterone. In this state, even if you often exercise and eat right, you may struggle to shed weight. So, for men already struggling with low T issues, excess body fat can worsen the situation. The increased fat mass and reduced metabolic dysfunction may even cause obesity. The solution here is to engage in a more active lifestyle and consider testosterone replacement.
Dry skin
Although chronic dryness and psoriasis are common skin issues, low T levels worsen these conditions. Low hormone level contributes to excessive skin dryness. Reduced testosterone makes psoriasis more painful and harder to treat.
According to a study investigating the correlation between psoriasis and the male sex hormone, men with psoriasis had lower testosterone levels than those without. Low T in men also causes skin thinning, such skin gets bruised or damaged easily.
Lower visual responsiveness and motor coordination
When testosterone level greatly decreases in a man’s body due to age, it affects vision. Middle-aged men also begin to lose their hand-eye coordination. Loss of visual-motor skills makes you clumsier, affecting how you play sports and write. You can no longer play video games or catch a ball with high precision as you used to.
Cognitive impairment
As the testosterone level decreases in men, so does cognitive function. Although people naturally become forgetful with age, memory and cognitive function deteriorate much faster for men with low testosterone levels. People with low hormone levels may also suffer from mild cognitive impairment (MCI). There is a link between testosterone supplementation and increased memory in men with decreased levels.
To sum up
Your testosterone level is bound to drop at one point in life. Luckily there are various ways to regain your hormonal balance. Do not self-diagnose based on observatory symptoms.
Consult your doctor and take a test to see if you have a low hormonal level or other underlying conditions. A person with low testosterone levels requires hormone treatment in the form of injections, pills or patches.
