Low Testosterone

Testosterone is the primary male hormone, and it influences far more than sexual health — energy, mood, muscle, and concentration are all affected by it. Testosterone naturally declines with age, but when levels drop low enough to cause symptoms, it is worth a proper look.

Symptoms of low testosterone

Low testosterone (sometimes called “low T” or hypogonadism) can show up in several ways. Common symptoms include:

• Persistent fatigue or low energy
• Reduced sex drive
• Difficulty with erections
• Low mood, irritability, or difficulty concentrating
• Loss of muscle mass or increased body fat
• Reduced motivation or sense of wellbeing

These symptoms are not unique to low testosterone — which is exactly why guessing is unwise. Many of them overlap with other conditions, so proper testing is the only way to know.

The link to erectile function

Low testosterone and erectile dysfunction are related but distinct. Low T can contribute to ED, but most ED is primarily vascular rather than hormonal. This is why a thorough evaluation looks at the whole picture — hormones, blood flow, and other factors — rather than assuming a single cause. Treating a hormone problem will not necessarily resolve an erection problem, and vice versa.

How low testosterone is evaluated

Evaluation begins with a conversation about your symptoms and a blood test to measure hormone levels — testing is typically done in the morning, when levels are highest, and is often repeated to confirm. Dr. Shusterman reviews the results alongside your overall health to determine whether low testosterone is genuinely present and contributing to your symptoms.

The first step

If the symptoms above sound familiar, an evaluation is a sensible step. It can confirm whether low testosterone is involved, rule out other causes, and give you a clear, individualized picture of where you stand.