Although many people may associate falling levels of testosterone with aging men, it can also be experienced by younger men under the age of 30.

Low levels of testosterone or ‘Low T’ occurs when the body isn’t producing enough testosterone to fuel some of the important bodily functions.

It normally happens to older men, as testosterone levels typically start to decline by 1% after the age of 30. However, there are many reasons why your testosterone count may be low – not just due to age-related causes.

Here’s what causes low testosterone in men under 30 and how you can spot the earliest signs and symptoms of it.

What causes low testosterone?

There are many reasons why a man under 30 may start to experience low testosterone, some may be related to their personal lifestyle, whereas some may be related to natural issues that have been apparent since birth.

For some men, low testosterone can be linked to other medical conditions, such as:

• Diabetes, liver disease, or AIDS
• Kallman’s syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome, or Down syndrome
• Hypothalamic or pituitary disease or tumors
• Radiotherapy or chemotherapy during cancer treatment
• Injuries or other conditions (like childhood mumps or inflammation) that affect the testicles

It may also be lifestyle choices that cause a lower testosterone count, like:

• Excessive drinking or using illegal drugs including steroids and opiates
• Being overweight or obese
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol levels

What are the symptoms of low testosterone in men under 30?

It can sometimes be tricky to figure out if you’re suffering from low testosterone, especially when you’re under 30 and don’t think that you’d be affected by something that’s normally related to older men.

A lot of the symptoms of low testosterone are also things that you might quickly write off, like feeling cranky or not being able to focus.

Some of the common symptoms of low testosterone in men under 30 include:

• Erectile dysfunction
• Depression
• Brain fog
• Persistent fatigue or problems sleeping
• Increased body fat and reduced muscle mass
• Hair loss
• Decreased sex drive
• Changes in your erections, especially fewer spontaneous erections

If you have noticed any of the symptoms that we’ve mentioned above, it could be a sign that your testosterone levels are lower than they should be.

If you find that these symptoms are having a big impact on your daily life, you may consider getting testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), which you can find out more about on our website.