The 10 subtle signs you’re testosterone deficient – from dry skin to a short temper and needing 3 coffees a day

TESTOSTERONE is often associated with macho, gym-loving men.

It is the male sex hormone after all.

But it’s responsible for far more than sex drives and sperm production.

Testosterone also plays a major part in bone and muscle mass.

It increases when we’re young, leading to the development of the penis and testes, facial and pubic hair, and a deeper voice.

But from the age of 30 to 40, a man’s testosterone levels naturally decline at a rate of about one per cent a year.

Although this steady drop is unlikely to cause issues, a testosterone deficiency, when a man’s testicles don’t produce enough testosterone, could lead to a number of undesirable side effects later down the line.

This has also been dubbed ‘the Manopause‘, or male menopause.

And according to Dr Jeff Foster, GP and director of health at Manual, it’s more common than we might think.

“There are nearly a million men in the UK currently known to have the condition, and 25 per cent of all men will have low levels at some point in their lives,” he tells Sun Health.

“Testosterone deficiency is like the game Buckaroo.

“The biggest cause is age, lots of other little things can drop our testosterone further.

“For example, some increased body weight and maybe a bit more alcohol can lead you to develop high blood pressure or asthma, both of which can reduce testosterone.

“You add all these little things together and the donkey ‘bucks’ and you have testosterone deficiency.”

Low levels of testosterone are typically associated with a stunted sex drive, but there are actually several other less obvious signs that your levels might be on the low side…

1. You’re relying on coffee

Constantly turning to caffeine to keep your energy levels up? 

“It doesn’t have to be complete exhaustion, but some men find they just start to rely on caffeine to get them through their day,” says Dr Foster.

“They may also fall asleep when they get home from work.”

This could simply be that you’re becoming dependent on caffeine (such as going from having one coffee in the morning to needing at least three every day), he adds, so try reducing your dose to see if you feel better.

If not, book an appointment with your GP.

2. You’re irritable 

Feeling more annoyed than usual, even by little things? 

“It could be a sign to look at your hormonal balance,” Dr Martin Thornton, GP and Bluecrest‘s chief medical officer, says.

Kiran Jones, clinical pharmacist at Oxford Online Pharmacy, adds: “Testosterone affects mood-regulating chemicals like serotonin and dopamine.

“Low levels can contribute to sadness, irritability, and low self-esteem.”

But, stress, sleep problems, including sleep apnoea, and thyroid issues could also cause this irritability, so it’s a good idea to see a doctor.

3. Your skin and hair feel dry

It might not be not something you associate with testosterone deficiency, but Dr Foster says that men may develop dry, flaky skin and/or coarse or dry hair.  

“Some men who are more prone to having eczema can also find this flares up,” he adds.

However, the expert says that in the winter, we all tend to get worsening skin dryness due to the cold weather and use of heating systems, so in isolation it may not be a worry. 

4. Your hair is thinning 

Noticed that you’re losing your hair?

“Testosterone is essential for maintaining hair follicles, so reduced levels may cause hair thinning or loss, particularly on the body,” Kiran says.

However, if you’re not experiencing any other symptoms of testosterone deficiency, then male pattern baldness might be to blame.

“This can be caused by genetic factors and is not always linked to testosterone, while nutritional deficiencies like a lack of vitamins such as biotin, zinc or iron can also be to blame,” says Kiran. 

5. Your joints hurt 

“Men with low testosterone often report joint pain, feeling like it takes days longer to recover from exercise, and their niggling injuries just don’t get better,” says Dr Foster.

But he adds that it’s important to be realistic as your joints may be hurting due to age.

“Even if you treat testosterone, it won’t make you 20 years younger, and everyone finds it takes longer to heal and recover as we get older,” he says.

6. You’re getting man boobs

If you’re seeing a build-up of fatty tissue around your pectoral area, it could be more than just ‘middle aged spread’, according to Dr Thornton. It could signal low testosterone. 

But, he adds: “Other causes of this can be raised oestrogen levels, which can be caused by obesity.

“Some medicines, especially those for blood pressure and depression, can also create a build-up of fatty tissue in these areas.”

Make an appointment with your GP if one breast is enlarged, the growth is happening quickly, if it’s painful, or if there are other unusual symptoms.

7. Your sleep is a mess

Having low testosterone and feeling more tired should mean better sleep, right?

Not necessarily. Dr Foster explains that as our metabolism often also slows, it can cause more fretful and broken sleep.

“Men often report waking up still feeling tired and not refreshed,” he says.

But, it may not necessarily be testosterone that’s causing this. 

“An overactive thyroid can also cause disturbed sleep, and so can many additional life stresses,” he adds.

Either way, if your slumber troubles persist, speak to your GP.

8. You’re gaining weight and losing muscle

Feeling weaker and noticing fat building up around your stomach are other potential warning signs.

“Testosterone deficiency can lead to increased fat, particularly around the abdomen, and a noticeable decline in muscle strength and tone,” says Kiran.

But, weight gain and muscle loss could also indicate an underactive thyroid, as well as lifestyle factors such as a poor diet, lack of exercise and high stress levels.

“Malnutrition can also play a part in this, as well as chronic illnesses like kidney disease or cancer,” adds Kiran.

9. You keep getting ill

Catching every bug going?

Many things could explain why you keep getting ill – from a lack of sleep to stress and underlying conditions, such as diabetes or an autoimmune disorder, which can cause poor immune function,

But it could also be caused by low testosterone. 

“Testosterone supports immune function and tissue repair, so a deficiency can result in more frequent colds and infections,” says  Kiran.

10. You want less sex

Although it’s less subtle and more commonly known, low testosterone can cause big issues in the bedroom.

“Low testosterone can reduce nitric oxide, dopamine, and oxytocin production; these are key elements for triggering sexual arousal and maintaining an erection,” says Kiran. 

However, she explains that low libido and erectile dysfunction can also indicate things such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes.

“Poor circulation or heart issues can manifest as erectile dysfunction,” she adds.

“With diabetes, high blood sugar can damage nerves and impair blood flow, also leading to erectile dysfunction. 

“Meanwhile, psychological factors like stress, anxiety and depression are common causes of low libido and erectile problems too.”