When most men think of low testosterone, they imagine it as a problem for older men in their 50s or 60s. But here’s the truth: low testosterone can begin much earlier, sometimes as early as your 30s, or earlier. If you are a high-performing man juggling a full-time career, financial goals, fitness, and relationships, ignoring this possibility could mean sacrificing energy, focus, and quality of life at the very stage when you want to perform at your peak. (That does NOT necessarily mean that more testosterone = better. More on this later).
What Is Testosterone and Why Does It Matter?
Testosterone is a key hormone that influences far more than sexual function. It helps maintain muscle mass, bone density, libido, mood, red blood cell production, and aspects of cognitive performance. Levels naturally decline with age, but health and lifestyle factors — such as obesity, poor sleep, stress, and chronic illness — can accelerate this process or disrupt the hormone’s normal daily rhythm. When testosterone drops too low, men may notice symptoms such as fatigue, loss of drive, mood changes, or reduced physical performance.
Ask yourself: are you experiencing brain fog, reduced drive, or declining energy levels before lunchtime? Could it be more than just “burnout”?
Testosterone in Younger Men (20–40 years)
Although most large population studies focus on middle-aged and older men, there is growing evidence that low testosterone can also affect men in their 20s and 30s. Research shows that younger men may experience deficiency due to reversible factors such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, sleep disorders (including obstructive sleep apnoea), long-term stress, or anabolic steroid use. Unlike older men, their symptoms may not always present as sexual dysfunction; instead, they may report low energy, brain fog, reduced motivation, or muscle weakness. Experts highlight that clinicians need to consider testosterone deficiency even in younger adults, especially when lifestyle or health conditions are present. This makes early recognition and addressing underlying causes important, not just for wellbeing but also for long-term metabolic and reproductive health.
The Surprising Reality for Men Under 40
Many men under 40 assume they’re safe from hormone decline. Yet lifestyle pressures such as long working hours, poor diet, alcohol, lack of sleep, and stress can accelerate the issue. If you’re working 60-hour weeks chasing business or career success, your body might already be signalling that testosterone is slipping. If I had a dollar for every time I saw someone in clinic, who had just come off a swing of nights, or was sleep deprived and was heading home to the Mrs. and new that they were going to need some help for their bedroom performance, I'd be a very wealthy man. Rarely, however, do these guys realise that's what's actually happening is a dip in their testosterone from lack of sleep (and often high stress).
The American Urological Association (AUA) Erectile Dysfunction Guidelines emphasise the link between hormone deficiency and sexual health, making it clear that testosterone evaluation should often be part of assessing ED, especially in younger men. But this is a call for your own doctor, not me and not doctor google.
Marcus Aurelius once wrote, “You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realise this, and you will find strength.” But what happens when the very chemistry of your body is working against your mind and resilience?
Men in Their 40s and 50s Are Not Exempt
By your 40s, natural testosterone decline is more noticeable. Energy dips, recovery from workouts slows, and you may find your motivation waning. By 50 and beyond, the effects can become harder to ignore, affecting sexual health, bone strength, and overall vitality.
Testosterone deficiency is underdiagnosed and under-treated, despite its impact on men’s quality of life. Recognising it early means you have more tools at your disposal to protect your health long-term.
This is not about ageing gracefully; it’s about ensuring your best years are still ahead. Imagine feeling strong, motivated, and mentally sharp, even into your 50s and 60s. That is possible with the right approach.
What Can You Do About It?
First, discuss getting tested with your GP. Do not guess. A proper, serum free tetosterone can give clarity. From there, solutions can range from lifestyle adjustments to medical therapies.
Don't get scammed - some tests, especially some online one's, do not use the gold standard method and notoriously underestimate your testosterone (by design) to try and “sell”, and get you hooked on, testosterone (more on this in future posts). Go to your GP, get the legit test.
But here is the challenging question: are you willing to invest in yourself the way you invest in your career or your physical appearance? You may buy the latest phone, upgrade your car, or subscribe to supplements. But are you prioritising the foundation of your health – your hormones?
Holistic steps like improving sleep hygiene, strength training, balanced nutrition, stress management, and cutting down on alcohol are powerful levers. If medical treatment is required, it should be personalised, not cookie-cutter.
Albert Einstein said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” If you’ve struggled with fatigue, brain fog, or intimacy issues and keep brushing them off, maybe it’s time to change the approach.
Low testosterone is not just an “old man’s problem.” It can start in your 30s, and if ignored, it can affect your 40s, 50s, and beyond. The earlier you act, the better your long-term health will be.
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Take charge of your health. Your future self will thank you.
Disclaimer:
This article is for educational purposes only. It is not personalised medical advice. Please consult your own GP or healthcare provider before making health decisions.
Sources:
Cohen J, Nassau DE, Patel P, Ramasamy R. Low testosterone in adolescents & young adults. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2019;10:916. doi:10.3389/fendo.2019.00916.
Available from: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2019.00916/full
Lokeshwar SD, Patel P, Fantus R, Halpern J, Chang C, Kargi AY, Ramasamy R. Decline in Serum Testosterone Levels Among Adolescent and Young Adult Men in the USA. European Urology Focus. 2020;7(4):886-889. doi:10.1016/j.euf.2020.02.006. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euf.2020.02.006
Patel P, Fantus R, Lokeshwar S, et al. Trends in Serum Testosterone Levels Among Adolescent and Young Adult Men in the United States. Presented at: American Urological Association 2020 Virtual Experience; May 15, 2020. Abstract MP78-01.
Aponte Varnum A, van Leeuwen L, Velasquez D, et al. Testosterone Replacement Therapy in Adolescents and Young Men. Journal of Men’s Health. 2024;20(10):24-31. doi:10.22514/jomh.2024.164. Available from: https://www.jomh.org/articles/10.22514/jomh.2024.164
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. (2018). Testosterone deficiency: Clinical summary. In Guidelines for preventive activities in general practice (9th ed.). RACGP. Retrieved from https://www.racgp.org.au/clinical-resources/clinical-guidelines
Burnett AL, Nehra A, Breau RH, Culkin DJ, Faraday MM, Hakim LS, et al. Erectile dysfunction: AUA guideline. J Urol. 2018;200(3):633-641. doi:10.1016/j.juro.2018.05.004. Available from: https://www.auanet.org/guidelines-and-quality/guidelines/erectile-dysfunction-%28ed%29-guideline
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