How Is Low Testosterone Diagnosed?

Most men seek medical treatment for low testosterone levels based on a lower libido or a difference in their sex drive. While testosterone is responsible for regulating the libido and facilitating the male reproductive system, it plays an integral part in maintaining general balance and overall well-being in the body, and low levels of it can manifest in a number of health concerns and side effects that may require their own treatment. In fact, testosterone is so influential in maintaining balance in the male body, that if its levels are anything but ‘normal’, effects will be felt in the body in some or other way.

Low testosterone can affect all of the brain’s faculties and can manifest in physical and emotional disturbances. Once you get past the age of 30, the levels start to decline, naturally as part of the ageing process. As you get older, the rate at which it drops may increase, but this is also a period of life where other health concerns may crop up, some of which may have symptoms similar to low testosterone.

Some men experience the decline at a gradual pace and may cope well initially. Other men, however, may be more sensitive to the drop and may experience a more noticeable response to the changes.

How Can Testosterone Symptoms Be Misinterpreted?

The symptoms of low testosterone are vast and varied, and they can also be non-symptomatic on their own, meaning that they could be attributed to conditions other than low testosterone.

— Some men experience an increase in body fat and a reduction in muscle or bone mass. When you consider that low testosterone affects men later on in life, and that this is the time we all start gaining weight a little easier, this on its own may not indicate anything.

— Some men experience changes or problems with their sleep patterns. This could be put down to a number of things, and some men may try to treat this with over-the-counter solutions or look for other ways to cure this symptom without realizing that a deeper reason is responsible for it.

— Some men feel a difference in their emotional well-being. They may experience extreme mood swings, start to feel depressed or anxious or start reacting badly to stress. Again, this could be isolated as a psychological problem without looking at the real cause.

More often than not, symptoms will occur in clusters, so if you are observant you should notice other changes in your body. Some of those include problems with memory or concentration, and of course, changes in sexual function, which is the biggest reason to send men off to their doctors.

What Will Your Doctor Look For?

To work out what it is that is really at the bottom of your health problems, a visit to the doctor needs to take place. Your doctor will chat to you about your general state of health and ask questions to work out if your body is being affected in more ways than the one reason you are aware of and reporting. You will give a medical and family history if he or she doesn’t already have it. The only way to determine if you have low levels of testosterone is through a blood test.

Two readings are taken from the blood test;

1. The first one measures how much bound and free testosterone you have in your system. This is the testosterone that is causing your symptoms and discomfort.
2. The second measurement your doctor will take, measures the protein-bound testosterone.

Your doctor needs to subtract the protein-bound testosterone from the first reading in order to ascertain what your levels are. With this information, a proper diagnoses is then possible.