Men’s Health
Low Testosterone (Low-T)
Low-T can affect your physical, sexual and mental health. Our specialists customize a treatment plan that supports your overall health.
Medically reviewed by Marc Dall'Era, M.D. on April 06, 2026.
What Is Low Testosterone?
Low testosterone (low-T) occurs when your testicles don’t make enough testosterone. Testosterone is a hormone and natural steroid that helps make sperm and red blood cells. Testosterone is important for your sex drive (libido) and having an erection. During puberty, it helps you grow facial hair and build muscle.
Certain conditions and treatments can lower testosterone levels. Low-T can affect your memory, mood, weight and sex life. Your provider may refer to low-T as testosterone deficiency syndrome or hypogonadism. You don’t have to live with low testosterone and you shouldn’t feel embarrassed about seeking help.
At UC Davis, you receive compassionate care from experts specializing in male urology conditions. As a regional leader in urology care, we offer comprehensive testosterone replacement therapies. We work with you to select the best treatment for your distinct needs.
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Symptoms of Low-T
Signs of low-T depend on the hormone level. Some people don’t have symptoms. You’re more likely to notice symptoms when testosterone levels are unusually low.
Common Symptoms
- Common signs of low-T include:
- Depression
- Difficulty getting or maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction)
- Extreme fatigue
- Insomnia or sleep problems
- Irritability
- Little, if any, sex drive (libido)
- Low sperm count or male infertility
- Muscle loss or weakness
- Trouble concentrating or remembering things
- Weight gain
Causes and Risk Factors of Low Testosterone
Testosterone levels naturally drop as you age. But severe drops in testosterone that affect your quality of life may require medical care.
Certain factors increase your risk of having low testosterone, including:
Autoimmune Diseases
Certain autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, can affect your hormones.
Cancer Treatments
Chemotherapy, radiation therapy and certain cancer medications can lower your testosterone levels.
Endocrine Disorders
Endocrine disorders, including diabetes, thyroid disorders and pituitary and hypothalamic disorders, can affect your hormone production.
Genetic Conditions
Certain inherited genetic conditions, such as Klinefelter syndrome and Noonan syndrome, cause low testosterone levels.
Obesity
Excess body fat can cause your body to make less testosterone.
Testicular Problems
Testicular cancer, undescended testicles and injuries to your testicles affect how much testosterone your body makes.
Diagnosis and Testing for Low-T
Your urologist will review your symptoms and medical history and perform a physical exam. Different blood tests can help your provider rule out other conditions and make a diagnosis.
Total Testosterone Level Blood Test
This blood test measures testosterone levels. Testosterone naturally decreases later in the day. For an accurate test result, you’ll need to have blood drawn before noon on two different days.
Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Blood Test
Luteinizing hormones control how your body makes testosterone. An abnormal LH result may be a sign of a pituitary gland problem.
Prolactin Blood Test
High levels of prolactin, a hormone, can be a sign of a pituitary tumor or disorder.
Treatments for Low-T
Testosterone replacement therapy uses lab-made hormones to help bring your levels into a healthier range. There are different ways to receive testosterone. Your provider will review your treatment options, including risks and benefits. We listen to your concerns and consider your needs when creating a treatment plan.
Topical Testosterone
You apply topical testosterone gel, cream or liquid directly to your skin every three to four days. Another option is applying a daily testosterone transdermal skin patch.
Injectable Testosterone
You or your provider injects short-acting testosterone under your skin or into a muscle every one to two weeks. You can also get longer-acting testosterone injections, which can last for up to 10 weeks, at your provider’s office.
Intranasal Testosterone
You spray testosterone gel into each nostril three times a day.
Oral Testosterone
You place a sticky tablet-like oral medication onto your gums twice a day. The tablet releases testosterone into your bloodstream over a period of 12 hours.
Testosterone Pellets
Your provider places testosterone pellets underneath the skin of your upper hip or buttocks. You receive a local anesthetic to numb the skin before your provider makes a small cut to place the pellets. The medication slowly dissolves, releasing testosterone. This treatment can work for three to six months, depending on the number of pellets.
Preventing Low-T
Certain actions may lower your chances of having low-T.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Good nutrition, physical activity and other lifestyle choices can help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
Manage Health Conditions
Take medications and see your provider regularly to manage chronic health conditions.
Approximately
1 in 50Men have low-T
Men with obesity have a
1 in 3Risk of having low-T
Source: Urology Care Foundation: Low Testosterone
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