Low Testosterone Under 40—Research Finds Cases in Young Men Are on the Rise
Low T is often written off by men under 40 as a problem for “older” men—just part of the inevitable aging process and something they don’t need to think much about. However, an increasing number of men aged 40 and younger are now also experiencing a significant decline in testosterone levels, which can cause the symptoms of low testosterone and a significant decrease in vitality far too early in life.
Even if you fall into this “younger” age bracket, you probably should consider Low T as a possibility If you find yourself saying or thinking things like:
“I don’t have the energy I used to.”
“I’m not as interested in sex anymore.”
“I’m not seeing any results no matter how hard I work out.”
“I just don’t feel like myself these days.”
In men under 40, feelings like these over any significant period of time are likely something other than aging. Depression or anxiety are common causes that should be checked out by a medical professional, but scientists say that it also could be low testosterone.
Diagnoses in younger men are on the rise.
Low T Under 40: Research Says It’s Real
Research shows that there’s now a reason for men under 40 to be concerned about low testosterone when symptoms become noticeable.
Findings presented at the 2020 American Urological Association Virtual Experience showed alarming rates of testosterone deficiency among adult males, somewhere between 10% and 40% across all age groups.
Even more concerning is the roughly 20% of adolescent and young adult (AYA) men aged 15-39 years old who were found to have low testosterone levels.
The study of 4,045 men with normal body mass index (BMI) showed that the 2011-2016 subject group of men below 40 showed significantly lower testosterone levels than the group studied in 1999-2000. Measurements taken at points between these dates showed a marked decline over time.
(The research abstract can be found here.)
To put all of this together:
Men under 40, an age group often told that they do not need to worry about low testosterone, are definitively exhibiting a decline in T levels and consequently their quality of life compared to decades past.
Low Testosterone Under 40: The Common Causes
Men under 40 can experience a drop in testosterone production as the result of illnesses, such as:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Chronic liver disease
- Chronic kidney disease
- COPD or similar lung diseases
- Hypothalamic disorders
- Pituitary tumors
- Klinefelter syndrome
- Kallmann syndrome
- Down syndrome
- Hemochromatosis
- Sickle cell disease
Men under 40 can also experience chronic low testosterone due to lifestyle issues, including:
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Opiate pain medication use or abuse
- Marijuana use
- Smoking
- Excess sugar consumption
These lifestyle factors that increase the chances for developing low testosterone need to be investigated and ruled out right away. Some can result in damaging consequences far worse than low testosterone levels.
The lifestyle factors and the disease states listed above can also overlap. Smoking is obviously a leading cause of COPD and lung issues at younger ages. Excess sugar consumption can cause type 2 diabetes and excess weight gain. You could be looking at a cycle of ill health that needs to be addressed right away.
The other main cause is primary testicular failure, which comprises various types of damage to the testicles from an accident, injury, or an illness like the mumps. Radiation to treat cancer found elsewhere in the body can also handicap the testicles’ ability to produce testosterone, no matter a patients’ age.
Low T Under 40—It’s Treatable
Whatever the cause, there’s no treatment more effective at providing relief from the symptoms of clinically diagnosed Low Testosterone than Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT). Those symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Low libido (sex drive)
- Erectile difficulty
- Weight control problems
- Anxiety and trouble concentrating
- Memory loss
- Depressed mood
- Weakened bone structure (osteoporosis)
- Possible pulmonary issues
- Loss of body hair
Being examined by your medical practitioner and diagnosed for low testosterone at a young age could be the first step in getting needed medical treatment or be the catalyst that leads to beneficial lifestyle changes you can take action on today.
Men Under 40 and Low Testosterone Treatment Considerations
TRT may not be ideal for every patient’s circumstances, because it may reduce fertility—a concern If you’re a man under 40 who’s still planning to start a family or have more children.
There are still treatment options such as hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin).
For more information, we invite you to watch our informative video on hCG that answers the following important questions:
- What is hCG and why might it be recommended for a patient instead of traditional injections of testosterone cypionate?
- Are there benefits to using hCG beyond maintaining fertility?
- What does hCG monotherapy look like?
- Is hCG ever combined with other medicines?
