Most men know low testosterone can lead to sexual dysfunction or low muscle mass, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Testosterone plays a far bigger role in health and function, and understanding some of the subtler signs of low-T can help you seek care as early as possible for better health and a better quality of life.
At Jersey Integrative Health and Wellness, our team offers bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to rebalance testosterone levels in patients with low-T. Here, learn about three less well-known symptoms that could mean you need to have your testosterone levels evaluated.
While most people know testosterone plays a role in libido and sexual excitement, its psychological effects are more far-reaching. As it turns out, testosterone also plays a major role in mood stabilization.
When testosterone levels are lower than they should be, you’re far more prone to moodiness, irritability, and emotional outbursts. Depression also becomes more common. In fact, one recent study found not only that low-T is associated with a greater risk of depression, but testosterone therapy helps stabilize mood and reduce depression symptoms.
That’s because testosterone has an effect on the production and release of two other hormones — serotonin and dopamine — that have major impacts on mood and emotions. If you’ve been experiencing mood changes or depression symptoms, it might be time to have your testosterone levels tested.
Low testosterone levels can also have an impact on your ability to focus, concentrate, and remember, a collection of symptoms known as “brain fog.” Interestingly, brain fog is most often associated with menopause and the associated decline in estrogen — but declines in testosterone can have a similar effect in men.
In addition to affecting your levels of serotonin and dopamine, testosterone also influences production and distribution of chemicals called neurotransmitters that help you process thoughts and perform other cognitive functions.
When testosterone levels decrease, these neurotransmitters become less available, leading to changes in the way you think. Many men find they have more difficulty with memory, concentration, or activities that require multitasking when testosterone levels are lower than they should be.
Testosterone also affects your sleep habits, helping manage your circadian rhythm or “internal clock” that controls your sleep-wake cycles. When your testosterone is low, you may find it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep, or you may not get restful sleep, leaving you feeling tired and lethargic during the day. Poor sleep can also make other symptoms, like moodiness or brain fog, feel worse.
Interestingly, this relationship between sleep and testosterone levels is actually bidirectional. While low testosterone can interfere with healthy sleep, poor sleep habits can also lower your testosterone levels. This cycle can be difficult or even impossible to break on your own. Fortunately, testosterone replacement therapy can help by giving your body the testosterone “boost” it needs to break the cycle and get your sleep back on track.
Our team tailors HRT for every patient, adjusting it over time as each patient’s needs change and combining it with other therapies for maximum results. To learn how we can help you overcome the symptoms of low-T, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Jersey Integrative Health and Wellness in Pompton Plains and Jersey City, New Jersey, today.
