Signs of Low Testosterone in Men, and When to Get Tested
Low energy and a fading sex drive are not just getting older. Here are the signs of low testosterone and how to find out for sure.
Updated October 18, 2026
Common signs of low testosterone
None of these alone proves low testosterone, since stress, poor sleep and many other conditions cause them too. A pattern of several, especially low libido with low energy, is a good reason to get tested.
- Lower sex drive
- Weaker or fewer erections, and fewer morning erections
- Low energy and fatigue that sleep does not fix
- Losing muscle or strength despite training
- More body fat, especially around the middle
- Low mood, irritability or poor motivation
- Trouble concentrating
How low testosterone is diagnosed
The American Urological Association defines low testosterone as a total testosterone below about 300 ng/dL on two separate early-morning blood tests, together with symptoms. Two tests matter because testosterone varies from day to day and peaks in the morning, so one afternoon result can be misleading.
A complete workup usually adds free testosterone, LH and FSH to see whether the issue starts in the testes or the pituitary, plus estradiol, a blood count and a PSA where appropriate. These also set a safe baseline if treatment starts.
What else can lower testosterone
Fixing an underlying cause can raise testosterone on its own, so a good evaluation looks for these before or alongside treatment.
- Excess body weight, which is one of the most common and most reversible causes
- Untreated sleep apnea and chronic poor sleep
- Type 2 diabetes
- Certain medications, including opioids and steroids
- Heavy alcohol use
- Pituitary or testicular conditions
If your levels are low
Options include testosterone therapy and, for men who want to protect fertility, non-testosterone options that encourage your body to make its own. Testosterone therapy suppresses sperm production, so if you want children now or later, tell your provider before starting. Any plan needs regular follow-up labs to watch your blood count and other markers.
How Fortem handles it
Fortem Health orders a morning hormone panel at a lab near you, or reviews results you already have from the last three months. A licensed Utah provider then meets you by video, reviews everything with you, and decides whether treatment fits. Membership is $99 a month, and the initial provider consult is $75 for founding members.
Frequently asked
What testosterone level is considered low?
Most guidelines use a total testosterone below about 300 ng/dL, confirmed on two separate morning tests, along with symptoms. Labs set their own reference ranges, so your provider reads the result in context.
Why does the test have to be in the morning?
Testosterone is highest in the morning and drops through the day. A morning draw gives the most accurate picture and matches how the reference ranges were set.
Can low testosterone come back up on its own?
Sometimes. Losing weight, treating sleep apnea, improving sleep and cutting back on alcohol can all raise testosterone, which is why the cause matters.
At what age does testosterone drop?
Levels decline slowly with age, often starting around 40, but many younger men have low levels too, especially with weight gain or poor sleep. Symptoms and labs matter more than age.
Will testosterone therapy affect fertility?
Yes. It lowers sperm production and can reduce fertility. If you want children now or in the future, your provider can discuss options that protect fertility.
Where this information comes from
- American Urological Association. Evaluation and Management of Testosterone Deficiency guideline.
- Endocrine Society. Testosterone Therapy in Men With Hypogonadism: Clinical Practice Guideline (2018).
This page is general information, not medical advice. Prices are current as of the date shown and may change; you always see the price before you pay. Membership provides access to Fortem's clinical care platform and provider network. All medical decisions are made by licensed providers. Fortem Health does not practice medicine or sell medication. Results vary by individual. This platform is not a substitute for emergency medical care. Fortem Health currently serves adults located in Utah.