men & women
Low Testosterone
Low testosterone is a hormone deficiency in men causing fatigue, low libido and reduced drive, confirmed with blood tests and treatable with monitored testosterone therapy.
Symptoms
1
Persistent fatigue that sleep does not repair
2
Low libido and fewer spontaneous erections
3
Erectile difficulty
4
Low or flat mood, irritability, poor concentration
5
Reduced muscle mass and strength despite training
6
Increased body fat, especially around the middle
Causes and how it spreads
Testosterone declines gradually with age, but clinically low levels can also stem from testicular conditions, pituitary problems, obesity, type 2 diabetes, chronic illness, certain medications and previous anabolic steroid use. Lifestyle factors such as poor sleep and heavy alcohol use lower it further.
How PVT tests for it
PVT uses a validated symptom questionnaire plus blood tests at an accredited pathology laboratory, repeated to confirm, along with the safety baseline required before any treatment.
Treatment
Where low testosterone is confirmed and therapy is appropriate, treatment with prescribed testosterone is started and monitored on a schedule: symptoms, hormone levels, red blood cells and prostate markers are all rechecked. Where fertility matters, alternatives that preserve sperm production are discussed instead. Weight loss, sleep and strength training meaningfully support levels too.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if several of the symptoms above have persisted for months, particularly low libido plus fatigue. A blood test settles the question either way, and a normal result usefully points the search elsewhere.
Related service
Sexual Health Screening
Sexual health screening at PVT is confidential doctor-led testing for sexually transmitted infections, for men and women, with results and treatment handled privately.
Questions about
Low Testosterone
How is low testosterone confirmed?
With at least two blood tests showing low levels, alongside genuine symptoms. A single reading is not enough to diagnose or treat.
Can I just buy a testosterone booster instead?
Over-the-counter boosters have little credible evidence behind them, and some are contaminated with unlisted substances. If your testosterone is genuinely low there is an identifiable reason, and treating that properly under medical monitoring is safer and works.
Is low testosterone just normal ageing?
Some decline is normal; symptomatic deficiency is not something you simply have to accept. If levels are clearly low and symptoms match, treatment is a legitimate medical decision, made with your doctor after a proper safety baseline.
What if I want children later?
Tell your doctor before starting anything. Standard testosterone therapy suppresses sperm production, so men who want children now or later are offered alternatives that stimulate the body's own production instead.