Does Low Testosterone Make You Tired?

Written by Ben Bunting: BA, PGCert. (Sport & Exercise Nutrition) // British Army Physical Training Instructor // S&C Coach.

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Frustration with low testosterone levels may be to blame if you find yourself constantly fatigued and lacking energy.

When testosterone levels fall too low, they can have detrimental effects on various aspects of your overall well-being, including energy.

Testosterone plays an integral role in maintaining stamina, vitality and stamina so if you find yourself constantly fatigued it might be worth considering whether low testosterone could be to blame as one possible solution.

Quick Bite:

• Low testosterone levels can lead to fatigue and difficulty concentrating.
• Adequate sleep is crucial for proper brain function.
• Avoiding sleeping pills and alcohol can help improve sleep quality and overall health. 

Does low testosterone cause fatigue? This article will go over the symptoms, treatment options and changes that low testosterone causes in the body.

It will also explain what causes low levels of testosterone and how it affects your routines.

Ultimately, fatigue affects your job, relationships, memory and health. In addition, fatigue can affect your mood, leaving you depressed or unmotivated.

Additionally, fatigue is the result of inactivity, which lowers energy levels and creates an unhelpful cycle.

Low Testosterone (known as hypogonadism or andropause) throws a man's routine off, and this can lead to serious consequences.

Low testosterone can cause fatigue

Testosterone, or the male sex hormone, helps boys develop male characteristics such as facial hair and deep voices, while producing sperm.

Testosterone production peak during puberty before gradually declining until around age 30 when production began to decline; testosterone levels tend to drop faster in some men due to medications, health conditions or simply getting older.

Low testosterone levels have many symptoms associated with it, with extreme fatigue being one of them as reported in this 2014 study.

Fatigue from low testosterone is much more intense than any sleep deprivation could ever do and may last days or even weeks at a time.

Unbearable fatigue can make it hard to concentrate at work and strain relationships with spouses, children, coworkers and friends.

Furthermore, fatigue makes staying physically active more challenging due to decreased motivation or feeling of lethargy; leading many men to skip workouts or reduce intensity levels during physical activities.

Testosterone is essential to muscle development, and low levels can result in decreased strength and exercise tolerance, osteoporosis and reduced bone strength in older men due to osteoporosis and reduced bone strength from osteoporosis treatment, or weight gain due to impaired metabolic processes.

Furthermore, testosterone plays an essential role in controlling your metabolism so if levels decline you could find yourself gaining weight due to decreased metabolism regulation by its hormone. 

Symptoms of low testosterone

Testosterone is an essential male hormone that plays an integral part in developing body hair, deep voices and muscle strength.

Additionally, testosterone assists men to have an erection during sex as well as affect mood, energy levels and bone health - even helping lower cholesterol and promote healthier blood pressure levels!

Unfortunately as one ages their testosterone levels decline over time resulting in hypogonadism.

Hypogonadism symptoms range from reduced libido to infertility.

Other reported side effects of the condition may include changes to height, weight, hair and bone growth as well as reduced muscle mass and diminished muscle strength as well as potentially leading to gynecomastia (enlarged breast tissue).

Less common manifestations include depression, memory problems and difficulty focusing.

To detect hypogonadism among adults the Androgen Deficiency in Aging Male (ADAM) questionnaire was developed as a short screening tool.

If you suspect low T levels, the first step should be contacting your healthcare provider and scheduling an appointment for an exam and physical history review.

They may suggest blood testing to assess total testosterone levels as well as smoking or recent illness as this can impact results.

In some cases, testosterone replacement therapy is required. To get the best results, your doctor will recommend the smallest possible dose to bring your system back to normal levels.

You should also consult a dietitian if you're suffering from any of these conditions.

Causes of low testosterone

Hypogonadism's causes can be divided into primary and secondary categories.

Klinefelter's syndrome, an inherited genetic condition that damages seminiferous tubules and Leydig cells of testicles leading to decreased testosterone production, can result in decreased levels.

This form of hypogonadism often manifests itself with an enlarged prostate as well as higher risks for cardiovascular disease and stroke; conversely, congenital hypogonadism due to pituitary tumor or abnormality can usually be treated using anti-tumor agents.

Treatment options

A 2022 study has demonstrated that long-term treatment for low testosterone reduced the effects of fatigue.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is the cornerstone of treating hypogonadism, consisting of taking medications containing testosterone to replace what your body no longer produces naturally.

You can take these pills orally in pill form, intravenously or via injection; gel or patches that slowly release testosterone can also be prescribed.

Testosterone therapy should usually only be given to men born with congenital hypogonadism as well as women who lack sexual desire.

Patients suffering from hypogonadism typically undergo HRT treatment at two-week intervals until symptoms subside and fertility is not an issue.

Treatment duration will depend upon its cause as well as any potential problems related to it.

Before beginning hormone replacement therapy (HRT), several tests will be run to ascertain the source of your hypogonadism.

These include physical exams, blood work and urinalysis tests; additionally your physician may suggest prostate ultrasound imaging or brain/bone scans as additional forms of examination. 

At one time, testosterone replacement therapy was considered the primary solution for hypogonadism in men.

Unfortunately, its side effects included gynecomastia, acne and changes to prostate epididymis ratio changes; it could even suppress spermatogenesis - thus disqualifying people who wish to have children from using it.

A novel approach in functional central hypogonadism could include selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs), which provide tissue-specific actions with reduced side effects.

Natural remedies and lifestyle modifications can also aid in treating hypogonadism, such as diet changes, eliminating tobacco products and limiting alcohol. Exercise may also help.

Stress management is also critical and couples therapy can be useful in improving communication and understanding between partners - an effective way of dealing with sexual performance anxiety.

Getting adequate restful sleep is critical as well; psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy may provide valuable relief from emotional distress or sex anxiety. 

Conclusion

Testosterone may be best known for influencing sexual drive, but its effects extend further than this.

Testosterone also plays a vital role in energy levels, muscle mass development and mood regulation for men - any who suffer from chronic fatigue should consider monitoring their testosterone levels to see if there's any correlation.

Fatigue is one of the hallmark symptoms of Low Testosterone levels and it can have serious repercussions for work productivity, sexual attraction and physical energy levels.

If you find yourself constantly exhausted it might be wise to consult with a functional medicine practitioner about your hormone levels.

Hypogonadism (low testosterone levels) affects mostly older men but can affect anyone at any age and lead to symptoms including reduced sexual drive, muscle mass loss and depression as well as anemia or other health conditions.

Many men don't seek diagnosis for low testosterone because they assume their symptoms are just part of natural aging.

If you find yourself struggling with reduced sex drive, fatigue or muscle mass loss it's crucial that your testosterone levels be measured and assessed as soon as possible.

Sleep and activity are great ways to increase energy, but if you find yourself continually exhausted despite regular exercise and healthy habits, it could be an indicator of low testosterone.