5 Everyday Signs You Might Have Low Testosterone
Testosterone plays a critical role in the body’s ability to function optimally, supporting everything from energy levels and mood to metabolism, muscle growth, and sex drive. While often associated with men, testosterone is also essential in women, just in smaller amounts. When levels drop below the body’s ideal range, the effects are felt in nearly every system. This is known as testosterone deficiency, sometimes referred to as Low T.
At Affinity Whole Health, many patients first come to us not because they know their hormones are off, but because they feel off, without knowing why. Here are five everyday symptoms that could point to low testosterone, and why it’s worth getting your levels checked.
1. Fatigue and Low Energy
What it feels like: You're tired all the time. Not just end-of-day tired, but dragging-through-the-day tired. Afternoon naps feel like a requirement. You may rely on caffeine or sugar just to get through basic responsibilities.
Low testosterone disrupts the body’s natural energy production pathways. It can interfere with sleep quality and recovery, reduce motivation, and make once-easy tasks feel exhausting. “Patients can’t get through the day anymore. They want to take a nap in the afternoon. That could be one of the symptoms,” explains Dr. Koehler.
If you’re constantly feeling burned out, despite a good night’s sleep, your hormone levels could be playing a significant role.
Common Signs of Testosterone-Related Fatigue:
Afternoon crashes or naps becoming routine
Difficulty waking up feeling refreshed
Low motivation to exercise or stay active
Constant mental or physical sluggishness
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35211178/
2. Sexual Dysfunction
What it feels like: Loss of interest in sex, low libido, or difficulties with performance. In men, this may also include difficulty achieving or maintaining erections.
Testosterone fuels sexual function in both men and women. In women, low levels may lead to reduced desire or pleasure. In men, it’s one of the most common underlying causes of erectile dysfunction (ED) when no other physical explanation is found.
“Low libido and ED are extremely common with low testosterone,” says Dr. Koehler. “In relationships, it can create stress if one partner wants intimacy and the other simply doesn’t feel the drive anymore.”
It's not "just aging," especially if you're noticing a drop in interest or ability over months or years. These are treatable issues, and testosterone testing is a smart place to start.
Sexual Symptoms Often Linked to Low T:
Loss of interest in sex
Erectile dysfunction or performance issues (men)
Reduced sexual sensitivity or pleasure
Emotional disconnection from intimacy
Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24044107/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19359109/
3. Muscle Loss and Decreased Strength
What it feels like: You're losing strength in the gym. Your muscles look softer. It’s harder to build or maintain tone, even with effort.
Testosterone supports muscle protein synthesis, meaning it helps the body build and repair muscle tissue. Low levels lead to muscle breakdown, slower recovery, and stalled progress with strength or resistance training.
This change often comes with a noticeable shift in how your body looks and feels. If you’re putting in the work but not seeing results, hormones could be limiting your gains.
Muscle Loss Indicators to Watch For:
Decreased gym performance or strength
Harder time gaining or keeping lean muscle
Slower recovery after workouts
Softer or less defined muscle tone
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29756416/
4. Fat Gain and Changes in Body Composition
What it feels like: Gaining fat, especially around the belly or chest, even though your diet and activity haven’t changed.
Low testosterone contributes to increased fat storage and a slower metabolism, especially when paired with muscle loss. Since lean muscle helps burn more calories at rest, less muscle means fewer calories burned and more stored as fat.
You may notice clothes fitting differently, weight creeping up, or a softer look in the mirror. Often, patients blame lifestyle, but hormone imbalance may be the true culprit.
Body Composition Red Flags:
Belly fat increasing despite diet control
Puffiness or fat storage in unusual areas (e.g. chest)
Slower metabolism, harder time losing weight
No visible results from regular workouts
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27543675/
5. Cognitive and Emotional Changes
What it feels like: Trouble focusing. Mood swings. Irritability. Anxiety. Depression. Brain fog that makes even simple tasks more difficult.
Testosterone doesn’t just regulate your body, it impacts your brain. Low levels are linked to depression, poor concentration, and emotional volatility in both men and women. This is especially important for individuals who have tried talk therapy or antidepressants but haven’t seen results.
“For some patients, the biggest benefit of testosterone therapy is mood stability,” says Dr. Koehler. “It doesn’t make them irritable, it actually helps them feel more even, more present.”
If you’ve felt mentally off but haven’t gotten clear answers, this could be the missing piece.
Common Cognitive and Mood Symptoms:
Frequent irritability or emotional swings
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Feeling “numb” or emotionally flat
Mild to moderate depression or anxiety
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24953176/
The Big Picture: You’re Not Alone
Many patients delay treatment because they assume their symptoms are from stress, poor habits, or “just getting older.” But hormone imbalances don’t just affect your physical appearance, they affect how you think, feel, and live your day-to-day life.
The good news? These symptoms are treatable. With personalized hormone optimization, patients regain energy, confidence, and clarity.
If any of these signs sound familiar, consider scheduling a consultation with Affinity Whole Health. We don’t guess, we test. And we treat based on your full hormone profile, not just your testosterone level alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. While testosterone deficiency is commonly associated with men, it is an equally important hormone in women. Low testosterone can contribute to symptoms like fatigue, low libido, mood swings, and difficulty building or maintaining muscle.
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Low testosterone is diagnosed through a blood test that measures total and free testosterone levels. At Affinity Whole Health, we also assess other key hormones, like estrogen, and symptoms, to get a full picture of your hormonal health.
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Testosterone can decline naturally with age, but other factors include stress, poor sleep, obesity, chronic illness, and certain medications Sometimes, no obvious cause is found, which is why testing is important.
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When supervised by experienced medical providers and guided by lab testing, TTh is considered safe and effective. At Affinity, we personalize dosing, monitor labs regularly, and adjust treatment based on your body’s unique needs.
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Many patients begin noticing improvements in energy, mood, and libido within a few weeks. Full effects, especially related to muscle composition or cognitive clarity, often develop after 6–8 weeks of consistent treatment.