Many people search this question for the opposite reason too: they wonder whether low testosterone is causing their achy joints and whether testosterone therapy would help. Both questions deserve a careful answer.
Why testosterone therapy might be linked to joint pain
Medicine labels and MedlinePlus list joint pain and back pain among the possible side effects of testosterone injections. The reason is not always clear. Possible contributors include:
- Fluid retention, which can cause swelling in the hands, feet, ankles or lower legs
- A higher red blood cell count, one of the reasons testosterone needs blood test monitoring
- Doing more physical activity than usual once energy improves, which can strain joints that are not used to it
- An existing joint problem, such as arthritis, that happens to flare at the same time
Because there are several possible reasons, new joint pain on testosterone is worth reporting, not just waiting out.
Can low testosterone cause joint pain?
Joint pain alone does not mean you have low testosterone, and it is not a reason to start testosterone. Arthritis, injury, overuse and other joint or muscle conditions are far more common causes of achy joints. Testosterone plays a part in muscle and bone health, but testosterone therapy is not an established treatment for unexplained joint pain.
If you have joint pain together with other symptoms of low testosterone, such as low sex drive or changes in erections, an evaluation can look at both. Low testosterone is diagnosed only with symptoms that fit and consistently low levels on repeat blood tests.
What to do if your joints hurt on testosterone
- Do not stop or change your dose on your own. Talk with the clinician who prescribes it first.
- Note the pattern. Which joints hurt, when it started, whether there is swelling, and whether it changes around your injection days.
- Ask about your blood tests. Your clinician may check your testosterone level, your blood count and other tests.
- Get the joint looked at. If pain continues, an exam can look for arthritis, tendon problems or other causes that have their own treatments.
Get medical care right away for pain, swelling, warmth or redness in one leg, which can be a sign of a blood clot, or for chest pain or trouble breathing.
How our Frisco office can help
Our providers see patients with joint and back pain every day, and the practice also offers testosterone therapy after a full evaluation. That means one team can look at whether your pain is a side effect, a separate joint problem or both. Read about testosterone therapy in Frisco, joint pain and arthritis care and Can Low Testosterone Cause Achy Joints?.
To talk with a provider, call 214-618-9600, request a consultation for hormone care, or book an appointment for joint pain.