What are signs of low testosterone in men under 40?

Notoriously thought of as something “old men” get, low testosterone in younger men, especially under the age of 40, is rarely considered. Why would a man in the prime of his life, develop declining levels of testosterone at such a young age?

What is low testosterone?

Low testosterone, also known as male hypogonadism, is a condition in which the testes (testicles, the male reproductive glands) do not produce enough of the male sex hormone called testosterone.

Testosterone is what uniquely helps men develop and maintain certain male characteristics which include:

• Muscle mass
• Sexual features
• Adequate levels of red blood cells
• Bone density
• Sense of well-being
• Sexual and reproductive function

Low testosterone in men under 40

Low testosterone in men under 40 is not common.  Testosterone levels in men peak during their adolescence and early adulthood, however beginning around age 30, those levels begin to decline by about 1 percent per year. For some men, this descent can begin even earlier.

According to guidelines from the American Urological Association, a testosterone level of at least 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) is normal for a man.  Men with a testosterone level below 300 ng/dL are diagnosed as having low testosterone.

Causes of low testosterone in young men

There can be many causes of why men under the age of 40 have low testosterone. The potential causes include the following:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Chronic liver or kidney disease
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD or another lung disease
• Hypopituitarism or a pituitary gland tumor
• Genetic causes such as Klinefelter syndrome, Kallman syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome and Myotonic dystrophy.
• Hemachromatosis or where the body stores too much iron
• Trauma to the testes or steroid use preventing the testes from making testosterone
• HIV infection
• Radiation or chemotherapy for cancer
• Excessive alcohol consumption or using illegal drugs
• Using anabolic steroids
• Taking certain prescription medications such as steroids and opiates
• High blood pressure and high cholesterol

Symptoms of low testosterone

• Erectile dysfunction or problems getting and maintaining an erection
• Fewer spontaneous erections
• Reduced libido or sexual activity
• Rapid hair loss
• Infertility
• Muscle mass loss
• Fatty abdominal area
• Enlarged breasts
• Sleep disturbances
• Persistent fatigue
• Brain fog
• Depression

Since many of these symptoms can also be related to or caused by other medical conditions, it’s important for any man of any age, to see their general practitioner to take a blood test to accurately diagnosis whether it’s low testosterone or something else and if it is low testosterone, to have a treatment plan in place.

Treating low testosterone in young men

Depending on the underlying cause of low testosterone in young men will determine the treatment for it. In conditions such as Klinefelter syndrome or hypopituitarism, the only option is testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). TRT can be in the form of a gel, injections, patches, or long-acting pellets.

For some men, it can be lifestyle changes such as losing weight, eating healthier, exercising, drinking less alcohol and controlling blood pressure.

The bottom line, young men under 40 with symptoms of low testosterone must see their doctor before taking any supplements or other treatments they may read about or see online or advertised on television. It’s important to rule out any other serious medical condition and to receive an accurate diagnosis. Once low testosterone is treated, men will be pleasantly surprised at how much their energy and quality of life is improved.