Irrespective of the common perception, testosterone is the hormone that is produced in every human body. However, this hormone plays an extremely important role in the male body as a plethora of bodily functions depend on it. Low testosterone levels can affect a man’s appearance, hinder sexual development and even cause low sexual drive.

With the advancement of a person’s age, the levels of testosterone decrease subsequently. However, when these levels are abnormally low for a person quite young, it can hinder the development of the body and cause several problems which can become hard to deal with.

With that said, you might ask what level is considered low testosterone level? Low testosterone or low T is generally considered when the levels fall below 300 nanograms per deciliter. According to the Food and Drug Administration, the normal testosterone levels are 300 to 1000 nanograms per deciliter. To know that your testosterone levels are low, your doctor might suggest you go for a blood test which is generally called a serum testosterone test.

But you can only decide to check your testosterone levels when you know you are mindful of the signs and symptoms that your body is experiencing. Here are some of the common signs people experience when they are suffering from low T.

7 Signs of Low Testosterone Levels in Males

Below are the signs of low testosterone levels in males:

1. Difficulty in getting an erection

Although testosterone is not directly associated with getting an erection, it is associated with a man’s sex drive and certain receptors which stimulate the production of nitric oxide to make testosterone a catalyst in the erection process.

Low testosterone levels in the body can cause difficulty in erection before having sex. This happens because low testosterone levels mean low levels of nitric oxide in the body which is one of the most important molecules that helps in the stimulation of chemical reactions necessary in the process of erection.

Be that as it may, if you are suffering from this difficulty, chances are that low testosterone levels are not the only issues. Erectile dysfunction can be caused due to a plethora of factors and required treatments can only be done upon its identification.

More often than not, these issues are generally certain health problems such as diabetes, cholesterol, smoking, depression, stress, anxiety, high blood pressure, thyroid problems, and high consumption of alcohol.

2. Lack of semen production

Testosterone is directly associated with the production of semen, which is a milky fluid containing sperms and aiding their mobility. When men suffer from low testosterone levels, the production of semen in their bodies will be reduced significantly.

3. Low libido

People with low testosterone levels will also suffer from low libido which means sex drive. A decrease in sexual drive is often observed with the advancement of age. However, if you experience low libido at a younger age, then you need to consult your doctor and get your body checked.

4. Increase in body fat

An increase in your body fat can be influenced by a plethora of reasons, however, if you observe a random spike suddenly, then chances are that you are suffering from low testosterone levels. In addition to this, people with low T have often experienced gynecomastia or an increase in breast tissue. More often than not, this condition is caused when the levels of testosterone and estrogen are not balanced.

5. Hair loss

Many people don’t know this, but testosterone plays an important role in hair production in the body. People with low testosterone levels in the body might face the problem of balding at a young age. With the advancement of age, people face the issue of balding but if you are experiencing it at an extremely young age, chances are suffering from low T.

6. Loss of muscle mass

As mentioned earlier, testosterone helps in building the muscles of your body and strengthens them. However, when a man experiences a significant decrease in their testosterone levels, he might observe a reduction in his muscle mass.

7. Exhaustion

If you are experiencing constant exhaustion or fatigue even after getting enough sleep and a reduction in your energy levels even after exercising, you need to get your testosterone levels checked. Men with low T have noted extreme tiredness and a reduction in their energy levels.

Treatment for Low Testosterone Levels

One of the most common treatments prescribed by the doctor to treat low T is testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). This therapy is prescribed by the doctor only when the blood tests confirm your symptoms and indicate the deficiency.

This therapy can be delivered through skin patches, gels, tablets, injections, or surgically implanted pellets that produce the hormone. After starting testosterone replacement therapy, people observe some relief from the symptoms just in 4 to 6 weeks.

Be that as it may, some men have also reported some serious side effects of testosterone replacement therapy. Therefore, it is extremely essential to talk with your doctor in detail before doing any therapy and opt for safer ways of boosting your testosterone levels.

What are some of the Natural Ways to Boost Testosterone Levels?

Low testosterone levels or hypogonadism generally occur when there is an imbalance between the hormones that are produced in your body. To manage this balance between hormones, one needs to adopt a healthy lifestyle which includes consuming a well-balanced diet.

One of the best foods that you can consume if you are suffering from low testosterone levels is the foods that contain hormones or hormone-mimicking nutrients such as phytoestrogen. In addition to this, make sure that you include the two most important nutrients in your diet; vitamin D and zinc.

The foods that are a rich source of these two nutrients are beef, fortified cereals, oysters, eggs, shellfish, tuna, milk (an extremely rich source of vitamin D), and beans. Try to focus on increasing the testosterone levels of your body through these natural products. Consuming supplements that promise to increase the levels of testosterone on your body might not get you the desired results.

Apart from that, focus on losing weight through doing some healthy exercises which include strength training and muscle building. Although these steps might not raise the testosterone levels directly, they will certainly help in creating a positive effect on your body. This is especially true for people in the younger age group who are suffering from low testosterone levels.

So, the bottom line is that if you are suffering from any of the above-mentioned symptoms, you need to consult your doctor and get your body checked. Once you are sure that you are suffering from low T or hypogonadism, make sure that you change your lifestyle and consume a healthy, well-balanced diet that is rich in vitamin D and zinc.

Do not rely only on supplements. Eat good food and exercise daily!

Also Read: 6 Ways To Magically Boost Your Testosterone Levels