
From Weight Gain to Low Libido: 5 Signs You May Be Suffering from Low T

Testosterone levels are at their highest around age 25, but by age 30, they start declining, which often causes negative symptoms. At Alevizos Medical, board-certified integrative medicine specialist Dr. John Alevizos offers expert hormone management in Irvine, California.
Dr. Alevizos understands the complexities of accurate testosterone evaluation and management. It’s not as simple as many assume.
The most accurate analysis comes from measuring bioavailable testosterone, a step that many labs don’t perform. Dr. Alevizos uses the most advanced labs and creates highly customized testosterone replacement plans.
We believe that knowledge is power, so let’s look at five common signs of low T that may mean it’s time for testing and treatment.
1. Unexplained weight gain
One of the most frustrating signs of low testosterone is gaining weight even when you’re making healthy choices. Testosterone plays a vital role in regulating metabolism. It essentially helps you burn calories more efficiently.
As testosterone levels drop, your metabolism slows, and you’re more likely to store excess calories as fat rather than use them for energy. Many men with low T struggle with a “spare tire” or extra weight around the midsection.
Another factor that can contribute to weight gain is muscle loss. The less muscle you have, the less fat you burn at rest. That brings us to the next sign of low T that many people experience.
2. Muscle loss
Testosterone is one of the key hormones that helps your body build and maintain muscle. When you work out, tiny tears form in your muscle fibers, and your body needs to repair and rebuild them.
Testosterone helps “turn on” the process that makes new protein, which is the building block of muscle. When testosterone levels are low, that repair process slows down. Instead of rebuilding stronger muscle, the body starts to lose it.
Over time, this can cause muscles to shrink (a condition called sarcopenia). Many men notice a visual change, while also experiencing a decrease in strength.
Between increased fat, muscle shrinkage, and some other changes that happen in the body, your body can really feel the effects — and that brings us to the next point.
3. Low energy
More fat and less lean muscle can make it harder to stay fit and energized. We all experience tired days, but low testosterone takes fatigue to another level.
Men with low T often describe feeling drained from the moment they wake up, even after a full night’s rest. That happens because testosterone helps regulate energy production in the body, including red blood cell formation.
Your red blood cells carry oxygen to tissues throughout your body, but without enough oxygen delivery, your body struggles to keep up with daily demands, leaving you sluggish.
Physical fatigue might be the main thing that comes to mind, but it’s not just that. Many men experience a sharp drop in motivation and drive. This can spill over into work, social life, and even the intimate aspects of relationships.
4. Low libido and sexual changes
Testosterone is the primary hormone that fuels sexual desire in men. When levels decline, the brain receives fewer hormonal signals to trigger interest in sexual activity. As a result, libido decreases, which can feel frustrating and even isolating. Testosterone also helps fuel sexual desire in women, and a lack of it can have similar effects on their libido.
Beyond desire, low T also affects sexual function. Many men experience weaker or less frequent erections. This may be tied to not only the lower testosterone levels themselves but also their effects. For example, when less oxygen-rich blood reaches the penis, it can be difficult to get an erection even if aroused.
5. Mood changes and brain fog
Many people perceive low T as a physical problem. While it can certainly be highly disruptive physically, it also has a significant impact on mood and cognitive function. Testosterone interacts with brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) like serotonin and dopamine to regulate emotions.
A lack of testosterone disrupts neurotransmitter pathways and can trigger unusual mood shifts. You may find yourself becoming irritable over things that normally wouldn’t bother you, or you might feel perpetually pessimistic or always anxious.
Alongside the emotional changes, brain fog is very common among both men and women with low testosterone. Multiple studies show that testosterone therapy stimulates learning and memory improvements in both sexes when hormone levels are low.
Don’t ignore the signs of low T
Low testosterone isn’t just about aging. It’s a treatable medical condition. Treating low T can ease all the symptoms we’ve discussed today, and it might even save your life.
One meta-analysis including over 24,000 men was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and concluded that men with low T typically had an elevated risk of death due to any cause.
If you think your symptoms could be low T, don’t wait to get help from an expert. Call our office at 949-916-3600 to book your consultation at Alevizos Medical today.
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