Which symptoms prompt testing?
Some symptoms point more toward low testosterone than others:
- Lower sex drive
- Changes in erections
- Loss of body hair or a drop in muscle size
- Breast tenderness or enlargement
- Low bone density or a fracture from a minor fall
Other symptoms, such as tiredness, low mood, poor sleep, weight gain or trouble concentrating, are common and have many possible causes. They can be part of the picture, but a list of symptoms cannot tell you whether you need testosterone.
How the blood test works
Testosterone levels go up and down during the day and are usually highest in the morning. That is why the test is usually done early in the morning, and why it is repeated on a different day before any diagnosis.
Your provider gives you the testing instructions, which may include fasting. Some things can lower a result for a while, including a recent illness, poor sleep, some medicines and large changes in weight. Your provider takes these into account, and may also order other blood tests to look for the reason levels are low.
What a result means
Results are read together with your symptoms and health history. A level below the laboratory’s normal range on one test does not establish a diagnosis on its own; the result needs to be confirmed. A normal result with symptoms usually means something else is behind the symptoms, and your provider talks with you about what that may be.
The criteria used for men are not applied to women. Testosterone testing in women is a separate discussion.
What happens if low testosterone is confirmed
Your provider looks for the reason and talks with you about whether treatment may be appropriate, along with the possible risks and the monitoring involved. Testosterone is a controlled substance, so it is prescribed only after a medical evaluation, and it is not right for everyone. A diagnosis does not by itself mean you will be prescribed testosterone.
Read Testosterone therapy risks and side effects to see what to ask before you start.
Getting evaluated in Frisco
A testosterone evaluation at our Frisco office starts with a consultation, separate from a pain management visit. You talk through your symptoms and health history, and your provider explains the testing. Learn more about testosterone therapy in Frisco, or call 214-618-9600 or request a consultation.
If chronic pain is part of your story, read Why Low Testosterone May Be The Culprit Behind Your Chronic Pain.