As a man who has always been in good physical condition, exercised regularly, and had few complaints in the bedroom, the one thing you probably think can't happen to you is having low testosterone. 1http://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000722.htm However, despite your past history and doing all the right things along the way, the fact is you could be at risk of having low-T. To make sure you notice the warning signs as soon as possible so that you can get this issue corrected, here are six surprising symptoms to look out for as you age.
Problems with Insomnia
Most of the time when you have trouble falling asleep, you are probably chalking it up to just having too many things on your mind. However, insomnia can be a warning sign for having low testosterone. If your insomnia is only happening now and then, it's likely nothing to worry about. However, if it appears and doesn't want to go away, you may want to use a hormone test kit at home to check for low-T.
Erection Issues
When it becomes a problem for you to get or maintain an erection, there's a good chance low testosterone may be to blame. For an erection to happen, your brain needs testosterone 2http://healthline.com/health/low-testosterone/warning-signs to notify its receptors to start producing nitric oxide, which is the chemical primarily responsible for making an erection possible. When you start to notice erection issues on a frequent basis, make an appointment with your doctor. While it may only be low-T to blame, it could also mean you may have an underlying medical condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure that may be contributing to your problem.
Memory Problems
Should you be a guy who is starting to get a few years past what you consider to be your prime, you may find yourself having trouble remembering certain things, concentrating, or finding the right words to say during a conversation. However, before you start convincing yourself you've got dementia, the problem may simply be low testosterone. While it's perfectly fine to forget something now and then or have a day where your mind is in a fog, these problems combined with other warning signs of low testosterone may indicate the need to pay a visit to your doctor.
Hot Flashes
Yes, it is not only the ladies who can get hot flashes as they age, but men as well. If you find yourself experiencing heavy bouts of sweating, night sweats when you are in bed, or notice your skin is reddening here and there, these can all be indications you may have low testosterone. Though you may think this can happen only to older men, keep in mind that low testosterone can happen to men of any age, so pay attention if you are sweating more than usual.
Hair Loss
When you look in the mirror and see your hair getting thinner, you probably assume it's just part of the aging process or the genes you were given by your parents. While that may be true, it's also possible you have low testosterone that is causing your hair loss. Testosterone is extremely important for hair production in men. When you have low-T, you may not only lose the hair on the top of your head, but also your facial hair and body hair.
Anemia
Numerous studies have linked anemia and low testosterone as going hand-in-hand with one another. When you are anemic, common symptoms include feelings of dizziness, leg cramping, problems with concentration and sleeping, and having a rapid heartbeat. Researchers have found that when many men who have low-T are given a testosterone gel, their testosterone levels increase substantially and their anemia disappears. If you suspect you may be anemic, visit your doctor for a blood test and a chat about possible treatment options for your low testosterone.
Bottom Line
Rather than wonder why you can't sleep well, remember certain things, and why your hair is thinning and you break out in a sudden sweating spell, talk to your doctor about the possibility you may be suffering from low testosterone. Once you combine the results of your home test kit with your doctor's knowledge and treatment options, low-T won't be a problem much longer.
Additional resources and citations
- 1http://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000722.htm
- 2http://healthline.com/health/low-testosterone/warning-signs