Screenings, women's and men's health
Low Testosterone: Symptoms and Testing
Recognize the signs of low testosterone, how it is properly tested and the treatment options, including hormone therapy, that may help.
Symptoms
- Low sex drive
- Erectile problems
- Tiredness and low energy
- Low mood or irritability
- Loss of muscle, more body fat
- Hot flashes in some men
- Reduced body hair
How it is tested
- A total testosterone blood test between 7 and 10 AM.
- A repeat test on another morning if the first is low.
- Other tests such as LH, FSH, prolactin, blood count, A1c and sometimes free testosterone.
Illness, poor sleep and some medicines (opioids, steroids) can lower results temporarily.
Treatment options
- Address causes: weight loss, treating sleep apnea, reviewing medicines.
- Testosterone therapy: gels, injections or patches for men with confirmed low levels and symptoms.
- Monitoring: blood count, PSA and testosterone levels.
- Fertility: testosterone therapy reduces sperm production; men wanting children need other options.
How we can help
Our hormone therapy service tests properly, looks for underlying causes, and offers treatment with careful monitoring when it is appropriate. See also men’s health by telehealth.
Questions people ask
Can I take testosterone without a blood test?
No. Safe treatment requires confirmed low levels and monitoring.
Does testosterone therapy cause heart problems?
Recent large studies have been reassuring for appropriately selected men, but monitoring is still important.
Will testosterone help me lose weight?
It may help body composition in men with low levels, but lifestyle changes remain key.
Talk it through with Lydia
Feeling flat and wondering about testosterone? Let us test properly. See a board-certified nurse practitioner virtually anywhere in Virginia, in our Woodbridge office, or straight to your front door in much of Northern Virginia.
Visits start at $85, and every membership comes with a 30-day trial.
Prefer to ask first? Text us at (571) 402-2102 or message us on WhatsApp.
