What is Testosterone?
Testosterone is a hormone that supports:
- Male sexual development and function
- Sperm production
- Sex drive
- Muscle health
Know the Signals of Low Testosterone
Possible symptoms include:
- Reduced sex drive
- Erectile problems
- Reduced spontaneous erections
- Reduced energy
- Loss of muscle mass
- Changes in mood
- Reduced body hair
- Fertility problems
Many of these symptoms are not specific to low testosterone. They can have other causes such as:
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Extreme physical stress
- Extreme mental stress
What Can Cause Low Testosterone?
Possible causes include problems involving the:
- Testicles
- Pituitary gland
- Hypothalamus
Other factors and health conditions may also contribute including:
- Testicular injury
- Pituitary disease
- Certain medications
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Infection
- Chemotherapy and radiation
Low energy availability may also suppress reproductive hormones, including testosterone, making adequate food intake important for highly active service members.
How Is Low Testosterone Diagnosed?
One testosterone test isn’t the whole story.
Diagnosis requires symptoms combined with low testosterone to be confirmed by at least two early-morning tests.
Your provider may also evaluate:
- Your symptoms
- Medical history
- Medications
- Reproductive goals
- Physical examination
- Other hormone levels
- Possible underlying conditions
Additional testing may be needed to determine why testosterone is low.
What About High Testosterone?
A testosterone result above the expected reference range also deserves appropriate evaluation.
Possible explanations can include:
- Medications or testosterone use
- Anabolic-androgenic steroids
- Certain medical conditions
Your provider can interpret the result in the context of your health history and other testing.
If you're taking testosterone or another hormone obtained outside your healthcare system, tell your provider. That information helps them interpret your test results safely.
Testosterone Therapy Isn't a Performance Shortcut
Testosterone therapy is intended for a diagnosed testosterone deficiency—testosterone isn’t approved to simply:
- Increase strength
- Improve appearance
- Enhance performance
Starting testosterone requires careful discussion with your provider about both the benefits and risks. Testosterone therapy may not be appropriate if you have certain underlying medical conditions like:
- Heart disease
- Prostate or breast cancer
- Blood clots
Other side effects of testosterone include:
- High red blood cell count
- Decreased sperm count
- Acne
- Increase in prostate size
- Sleep apnea
Testosterone and Fertility
Planning children now—or someday? Tell your provider.
Testosterone therapy can suppress the body's own sperm production. That makes reproductive goals an important part of the conversation before treatment begins.
If fertility matters to you now or in the future, tell your provider to find alternative treatment options to testosterone.
Questions to Ask Your Provider
- Could something besides testosterone be causing my symptoms?
- Do I need testosterone testing?
- If my result is low, should it be repeated?
- Could a medication, training load or health condition be affecting my testosterone?
- Could treatment affect my fertility?
- What are the benefits and risks of testosterone therapy for me?