Symptoms alone are not enough
Fatigue, low mood, reduced libido, erectile difficulties and loss of strength can have many causes. Clinical guidelines recommend diagnosing hypogonadism only when compatible symptoms or signs occur alongside consistently low testosterone measured with reliable testing.
Confirmation and cause
Testosterone varies with time of day, illness, sleep, medicines and other factors. Repeat morning testing is commonly used, followed by assessment of whether the cause is primarily testicular, pituitary or related to another condition.
Before treatment
A clinician considers fertility goals, prostate and breast history, blood count, sleep apnoea, cardiovascular history and other individual factors. “Low-normal” results or non-specific symptoms do not automatically establish that TRT will help.
Useful information to track
- Symptoms and when they began
- Dates, times and reference ranges for blood tests
- Relevant medicines, illness and sleep context
- Fertility goals and follow-up plan
Sources
Reviewed against the following official guidance and primary evidence. Product information and clinical guidance can change.