Low Thyroid Hormones can Cause Low Testosterone
Posted: April 18, 2023
Are you feeling fatigued and unmotivated? Are you noticing low libido, a decrease in muscle size, or changes in your mood? These symptoms could be linked to low testosterone levels. However, what many people don’t know is that the root cause of their low testosterone could actually be related to their thyroid hormones. Low thyroid hormones can lead to not just lower energy levels but also impair the production of testosterone itself. This can create a cycle where men struggle with low testosterone levels and symptoms without getting better. Read on to get the low down between hypothyroid and low testosterone.
Here at Low T Center, we have years of experience helping thousands of men regain balance with regards to their hormone levels – make an appointment today to take the first step toward better health.
What are Thyroid Hormones? How Do They Cause Low Testosterone?
Thyroid hormones are vital for regulating many bodily functions, including metabolism, growth, and development. These hormones are produced in the thyroid gland, found just under your Adam’s apple. The thyroid gland is responsible for producing the right amount of thyroid hormones for your body to function properly. What many people don’t know is that thyroid hormones can also have a significant impact on testosterone levels.
Low thyroid levels can actually decrease testosterone production, leading to low testosterone in your blood. The lower your thyroid levels, the less sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) you have, which can also cause low testosterone symptoms. SHBG is a protein in your blood responsible for transporting testosterone throughout your body. If you have too little, it can reduce your total testosterone levels and make it difficult for all the tissues in your body to get the right amount of testosterone. Over time, the excess free testosterone in your body may also be converted to estrogen instead, making the problem worse.
Therefore, maintaining optimal thyroid hormone levels is crucial for maintaining healthy testosterone levels and overall hormonal balance. Understanding the interplay between these two hormones can lead to improved health and well-being.
Common Symptoms of Low Thyroid in Men
Low thyroid hormone levels, also known as hypothyroidism, can often go unnoticed until they begin to have a significant impact on daily life. This is because the symptoms can seem subtle and mimic a lot of other health conditions. So, many people suffer from hypothyroidism for years before seeking treatment. Instead, it’s important to keep an eye out for certain signs and talk to our providers if you notice any of these symptoms.
In man, some of the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Hair loss
- Low sex drive
- Erectile dysfunction
- Delayed ejaculation
- Muscle weakness
- Muscle pain
- Dry skin
If you have low thyroid, you can also experience other symptoms of low testosterone as testosterone levels decline.
There are many things that can cause hypothyroid, including autoimmune diseases, iodine deficiencies, certain medications, previous thyroid radiation or surgery, as well as some cancers. However, the most common cause is an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto’s disease, which causes your immune system to attack the thyroid gland. The good news is that hypothyroidism is treatable, usually by supplementing your thyroid levels with thyroid hormone medications.
That’s why it’s important to recognize the signs and seek medical attention if you suspect you may have low thyroid hormone levels. With proper treatment and management, men with hypothyroidism can lead healthy and fulfilling lives.
Common Symptoms of Low Testosterone
Low testosterone can be a side effect or symptom of low thyroid, but you can develop it with normal thyroid levels as well. Testosterone plays an important role in a man’s overall health and well-being, controlling things like body composition, libido, and energy levels. Just like with hypothyroid, it helps to know the common symptoms so you can seek treatment for low T levels and feel your best.
Symptoms of low testosterone include:
- Low energy
- Low sex drive
- Decreased muscle mass
- Increased body fat
- Mood changes
Age is one of the most common causes of low testosterone levels, but hypothyroidism is another common cause of low T. As you may have noticed, low T and low thyroid share several symptoms. Many of our patients come in for a testosterone test to find out that they have hypothyroidism as well as deficient testosterone levels. Therefore, if you’re suffering from symptoms of low T or low thyroid, our team is here to help identify the underlying cause and find custom treatment options tailored to you.
Diagnosing Low Testosterone and Hypothyroid
If you’re experiencing symptoms of low testosterone or low thyroid, our team can perform a simple blood test to look at both. This is a straightforward process to make diagnosis quick and simple so you can get treatment ASAP. Depending on your symptoms, we may test one or both of these hormone levels in your blood. From there, our healthcare providers can recommend treatment solutions that address your individual needs to help you take charge of your health and feel better.
Treatment Options for Low Thyroid
If you have low thyroid levels, it’s important to identify the underlying cause of the issue. For instance, it may be that you have another health condition or that medicines you take are causing the issue. It can also be iodine deficiency from not getting enough iodine in your diet.
However, for most people with hypothyroid, the treatment is hormone replacement therapy with thyroid hormones. This involves taking thyroid hormone medications to increase how much thyroid hormone is in your blood and make up for what your body is lacking. Treatment can help alleviate your symptoms and reduce your risk for other health conditions linked to hypothyroid, including low testosterone.
If low T is caused by hypothyroidism, then treating the low thyroid levels may increase testosterone in your body and relieve your symptoms. With proper treatment and management from our team for your low thyroid, you can feel like yourself again.
Treatment Options for Low Testosterone
If you have low testosterone, there are also treatments available to help you feel better and relieve your symptoms. In some cases, treating low thyroid isn’t enough to bring your testosterone levels into normal ranges. It’s also important to note that you can suffer from low testosterone even if your thyroid is functioning properly. So, it’s important to talk to our providers about treatments that are right for you.
One treatment option for men suffering from low testosterone is testosterone replacement therapy. This form of therapy can help to restore testosterone levels to a healthy level, allowing men to experience more energy, better physical and mental health and improved sexual function. Our team works with you to find the right dose for your needs to improve your symptoms and overall health.
Signs to Visit Our Men’s Health Clinic for Low Testosterone or Hypothyroidism
Any time you notice changes to your health, it’s best to get checked out to find the problem and get treatment. Our men’s health clinics can help you with easy, affordable, and convenient care. So, if you’ve been feeling off, more tired lately, or having problems with your sex life, these are all signs it’s time to make an appointment. We are here to help you feel your best and address your concerns so you can move forward feeling like your old self again. Our friendly and knowledgeable team offers diagnosis and treatment for both low testosterone and hypothyroid to help you get back on track. Don’t suffer in silence – come in and see us today.
Customized Healthcare from Low T Center
If you feel like you could be experiencing any of the symptoms of either low testosterone or low thyroid hormone levels, it’s important to make an appointment with our providers at Low T Center. We have locations across the U.S. staffed with friendly medical professionals to help you feel better. We can address your concerns and answer your questions about low testosterone and low thyroid. Our team also offers ongoing treatment monitoring so you can rest easy knowing you have our team on your side at every step of the way. Make an appointment now to take control of your health!
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Disclaimer: This article is made available for general, entertainment and educational purposes only. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Low T Center. You should always seek the advice of a licensed healthcare professional.