All guys feel tired from time to time, but usually, a good workout, a good meal, and a good night’s sleep provide relief. When feelings of “tired” don’t go away, and low energy becomes an everyday occurrence, it could be a sign of full-blown fatigue. According to family medicine physician Nick Dahl, D.O., fatigue is not a disease, but rather an unrelenting feeling of exhaustion. And it’s not always easy for men to figure out what’s behind their constant low energy.
Chronic low energy in men is different from the lack of vigor you might feel after a grueling workout or staying up late on the weekend. Fatigue can make the most mundane task feel arduous. No amount of coffee will help you power through this level of energy drain. That’s because ongoing low energy is often caused by medical or lifestyle factors, some of which are unique to men.
If sluggish has become your new normal, it’s important to talk to your doctor. He or she can determine what’s behind your fatigue, and whether it could be related to one of the conditions below—these are all common causes of low energy in men. The sooner you identify what’s causing your energy levels to drag, the sooner you’ll get back to full speed.
Symptoms Of Low Energy In Men
Low energy looks different from man to man, but these are common complaints among guys who experience it:
- Sleepiness
- Exhaustion that isn’t relieved by rest
- Reduced energy, motivation, focus, or concentration
- Depression or a lack of interest in the activities you used to enjoy
- Nervousness, anxiety, irritability, impatience
- Muscle weakness, stiffness, or pain
- Tired eyes, legs, or whole-body fatigue
- General malaise or discomfort
Causes Of Low Energy In Men
A number of conditions that can lead to fatigue in men:
Low Testosterone
Testosterone is the primary sex hormone in men. During puberty, it’s responsible for things like deepening your voice and causing hair to sprout. Testosterone also helps regulate sex drive, fat burning and storage, sperm production, red blood cell production, and even your mood.
Testosterone levels decline with age (roughly 1 to 1.5 percent less per year after around age 30), but for some men, the drop is faster. When a significant drop in T levels occurs, it can cause your energy levels to plummet, along with a slew of other symptoms, including:
- Reduced sexual drive or low libido
- Loss of body hair
- Loss of muscle
- Erectile dysfunction
- Increased body fat
- Loss of strength
- Enlarged breast tissue
- Inability to concentrate
- Depression
- Low sperm count
Low T is clinically considered anything below 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) of total testosterone (total T) or free testosterone levels that are below 1 to 2 percent of your total T (1). Low T is usually marked by a constellation of symptoms: low energy, weight gain around the mid-section, brain “fogginess,” sexual difficulties, and more.
Testosterone helps your body build and maintain muscle mass. It also helps muscles pump and contract, playing a key role in your body’s energy-producing systems. Without it, your muscles won’t work at their peak abilities, you might gain fat, you’ll feel less motivated.
If your physician suspects that low T could be to blame for your lagging energy levels, testing is key. Hone’s analysis for low testosterone, along with other hormones that can impact your health. If a test indicates that you do have low T, hormone replacement therapy can help relieve your fatigue and other symptoms.
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