How is low testosterone diagnosed?

It is diagnosed with a blood test taken in the morning, when testosterone is at its highest, usually repeated to confirm the result. The level is then considered alongside your symptoms and other hormone tests, which is why interpretation by a specialist is important.

Is testosterone replacement right for everyone with a low level?

No. Treatment is only recommended when a genuinely low level is confirmed and matched by symptoms, and when reversible causes have been addressed. For some men, managing weight, diabetes or medications restores their level without the need for hormone treatment.

Does testosterone treatment have risks?

Like any treatment it has potential risks and is not suitable for everyone, particularly men with certain prostate or blood conditions or those still hoping to father children. If treatment is appropriate, Mr AbuSanad monitors you with regular reviews and blood tests to keep it safe.

Can low testosterone affect fertility?

Yes. Low testosterone can reduce sperm production, and importantly, testosterone replacement itself can lower fertility. If you wish to father children, it is essential to tell your consultant so the right approach can be chosen.

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Hypogonadism (Low Testosterone)

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Hypogonadism, more commonly known as low testosterone, is when the body does not produce enough of the main male hormone. It can develop gradually and is easy to mistake for the normal effects of ageing or a busy life.

Medically Reviewed By

Mr Vasu Karri, Medical Director • Updated Updated 09-06-2026

Testosterone affects far more than sex drive. It helps maintain energy, mood, concentration, muscle strength, bone density and the ability to get an erection. When levels fall too low, men can feel persistently tired, low in mood, and notice a reduced interest in sex, often without realising the symptoms are connected.

Low testosterone can be part of getting older, but it can also be caused by a specific medical problem affecting the testes or the part of the brain that controls them. Because the symptoms overlap with conditions such as depression, an underactive thyroid and diabetes, an accurate diagnosis matters before any treatment is started.

At Kinvara Private Hospital, Mr AbuSanad assesses low testosterone properly, with correctly timed blood tests and a careful review of your symptoms and general health. Where treatment is appropriate, he explains the options and monitors you safely.

When Should You Seek Help?

It is worth being assessed if you have ongoing symptoms such as persistent tiredness, low mood, reduced sex drive or erectile difficulties, particularly when several of these occur together. Low testosterone is easily confused with other conditions, so the value of a specialist assessment is in getting an accurate answer rather than guessing. Treatment is not right for everyone, and a careful assessment is just as much about deciding when testosterone replacement is not needed as when it is. Choosing private care at Kinvara means prompt access to the correct tests and an unhurried discussion of what the results mean for you.

Understanding Low Testosterone

Testosterone is made mainly in the testes, under the control of signals from the pituitary gland in the brain. A problem in either place can lower the amount of testosterone in the body. Doctors describe this in two ways: a problem with the testes themselves, or a problem with the brain's signals that drive them.

Testosterone levels naturally fall a little each year from around the age of 30, and many men with a slightly lower level have no symptoms at all. Low testosterone is only diagnosed when a genuinely reduced level is found on a blood test alongside typical symptoms. This is why testing and interpretation by a specialist is important; treating a number in isolation, without the symptoms to match, is not good medicine. A proper assessment also looks for reversible causes, such as obesity, poorly controlled diabetes, certain medications and significant stress, which can lower testosterone without any disease of the testes.

Common Causes of Low Testosterone

Low testosterone can have several causes, and sometimes more than one is present:

Ageing: Levels decline gradually with age, which can contribute to symptoms in some men.
Obesity and diabetes: Excess weight and poorly controlled blood sugar are among the most common and most reversible causes.
Problems with the testes: Previous injury, infection, undescended testes or certain genetic conditions can reduce testosterone production.
Pituitary problems: A condition affecting the pituitary gland in the brain can reduce the signals that drive the testes.
Medications and illness: Some medicines, including long-term opioids and steroids, and significant general illness, can lower testosterone.
Lifestyle factors: Chronic stress, excess alcohol and poor sleep can all play a part.

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