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Low testosterone: symptoms and causes in men

Low energy and low sex drive are often blamed on testosterone, but a diagnosis needs both symptoms and repeated low blood tests.

Common causes

  • 01Obesity (weight loss raises testosterone)
  • 02Poor sleep
  • 03Excess alcohol
  • 04Some medicines (such as opioids and steroids)
  • 05Medical causes affecting the testes or pituitary gland

What a doctor may check

Two separate early-morning, fasting testosterone tests, then further hormone tests if they are low.

When to see a doctor

Never take testosterone without a confirmed diagnosis and medical monitoring. It can stop sperm production and has other risks.

This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Venva's content is written against clinical guidelines and systematic reviews, listed below. See our medical disclaimer.

References

  1. 1.Testosterone therapy in men with hypogonadism: Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2018.doi:10.1210/jc.2018-00229
  2. 2.Body weight loss reverts obesity-associated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. European Journal of Endocrinology, 2013.doi:10.1530/EJE-12-0955
  3. 3.Effect of 1 week of sleep restriction on testosterone levels in young healthy men. JAMA, 2011.doi:10.1001/jama.2011.710

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