How to Know if You Have Low Testosterone: Symptoms and Diagnosis
January 30, 2025
4 mins
Testosterone is an important hormone for men. It not only helps you to reach sexual arousal, but it’s also responsible for muscle strength, facial hair, and puberty in men.
Low testosterone levels — also known as testosterone deficiency syndrome — is when the body is not producing enough testosterone to complete certain bodily functions.
What’s considered a normal testosterone level for a man varies with age. Normal testosterone levels for young men between the ages of 20 to 24 is 409-558 ng/dL (nanograms per deciliter), whereas a normal range for men between the ages of 35 to 39 was 352-478 ng/dL.
The risk for low testosterone is higher for men over the age of 40. It’s natural for testosterone levels to decrease as men age. However, young men may still show symptoms of low testosterone.
While it may not always be obvious when your testosterone levels are down, there are a series of tests a healthcare provider can conduct to diagnose you with testosterone deficiency.
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What is Testosterone?
Testosterone is one of the main male sex hormones in the body. It’s produced in the testes and is often associated with male puberty. However, it’s important for more than just sexual arousal. Testosterone may also affect brain function, metabolism, and other everyday processes in the body.
Low testosterone is a common symptom of hypogonadism. Hypogonadism is when the body does not produce enough of certain sex hormones in the body. Male hypogonadism in particular happens when the body does not produce enough testosterone.
What are the Symptoms Associated with Low Testosterone?
Most men with low testosterone do not experience noticeable symptoms. However, some men who have low testosterone levels caused by other health conditions may experience:
Anemia
Changes in cholesterol levels
Irritability
Mood swings
While these symptoms can be a sign of hypogonadism, that’s not always the case. A healthcare provider may suspect other health conditions with similar symptoms. Be sure to connect with a licensed healthcare provider before taking medication to treat low testosterone levels.
How are Low Testosterone Levels Diagnosed?
A licensed healthcare provider may detect low testosterone levels with a blood test. They may also use a blood test to determine the cause of low testosterone levels and other hormonal imbalances. Before taking a blood test, a healthcare provider may advise you not to eat a big meal before your appointment.
How Do You Know If You Have Low Testosterone Levels?
A testosterone levels test is a blood test that checks specifically for testosterone. Not every type of testosterone in your body is the same.
Most of the testosterone in your blood is attached to a protein. Proteins in your blood help regulate the amount of testosterone you have and what it’s used for in the body. Free testosterone is not attached to any proteins and works with bodily tissue.
Based on your symptoms and medical history, a healthcare provider may give you one of the following tests for testosterone:
Total testosterone test: This is the most commonly used testosterone test. It measures every kind of testosterone in the body.
Free testosterone test: This tests for active testosterone in the body. It’s mainly used to diagnose a health condition that may have caused a hormonal imbalance.
Bioavailable testosterone test: While it’s more rarely used than other testosterone tests, the bioavailable testosterone test can be useful for measuring testosterone attached to the protein albumin. It can help a healthcare provider make a diagnosis of a health condition.
Key Point: Can Low Testosterone Levels Be Treated?
Low testosterone is often a symptom of hypogonadism that’s not treated directly. Hypogonadism may be the result of other preexisting health conditions in your body.
Before suggesting ways to improve testosterone levels directly, a healthcare provider will often determine the cause first.
What is the Rex MD TestoRx Program?
The Rex MD TestoRx program is an accessible option for receiving testosterone therapy from the comfort of your home. The program offers access to testosterone replacement therapy with a comprehensive program for those who decide to sign up.
You start by filling out a dynamic questionnaire about your symptoms and medical history.
A licensed healthcare provider will then determine your eligibility for treatment. Rex MD offers lab testing before treatment to ensure you receive the best care possible.
How Rex MD Can Help
The Rex MD TestoRx program offers access to quality care and personalized testosterone therapy when clinically appropriate.
Through the Rex MD program, a licensed healthcare provider can prescribe you medication. They can also order lab work to determine your eligibility for treatment.
Get started today by taking the first step to feeling like the best version of yourself.
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