Does Testosterone Affect Sleep?

[darkfire]

So I've been having all the symptoms of low T for years now: low libido, low energy, mild ED, trouble building muscle etc. I had a blood test and sure enough, total T was 370 ng and LH was near the bottom of the range, so I'm guessing secondary?

One thing I've noticed is that my sleep is generally pretty terrible. I often wake up several times during the night, my sleep feels really light and I still feel tired when I get up. I almost never dream, and I've read that the body makes T during REM sleep.

In fact, I've noticed in the rare event I do dream and am awoken, I have a rock hard erection and a general 'buzz' around that area, things I never normally have. So I'm thinking if I can get proper deep sleep, it might sort my T problem out? Maybe that combined with a small dose of Clomid to get things where they should be?

However, I've also heard that low T can CAUSE bad sleep, so how do I know which is causing which? Any help would be much appreciated.

[PeakT]

So I've been having all the symptoms of low T for years now: low libido, low energy, mild ED, trouble building muscle etc. I had a blood test and sure enough, total T was 370 ng and LH was near the bottom of the range, so I'm guessing secondary?

One thing I've noticed is that my sleep is generally pretty terrible. I often wake up several times during the night, my sleep feels really light and I still feel tired when I get up. I almost never dream, and I've read that the body makes T during REM sleep.

In fact, I've noticed in the rare event I do dream and am awoken, I have a rock hard erection and a general 'buzz' around that area, things I never normally have. So I'm thinking if I can get proper deep sleep, it might sort my T problem out? Maybe that combined with a small dose of Clomid to get things where they should be?

However, I've also heard that low T can CAUSE bad sleep, so how do I know which is causing which? Any help would be much appreciated.

I have never heard that HRT disturbs sleep.  I guess it could happen, though, if you a) went too high or b) your estradiol went out of control.  I have also gotten a few comments stating the opposite:  that low testosterone disturbs sleep.  I know that when I was low T, I used to wake up with sweats and extreme tension.  That all went away when my testosterone got high enough. 

And, yes, if you're a young guy, you want to take fertility into account which leaves these (pharmaceutical) options:

a) HCG Monotherapy:  http://www.peaktestosterone.com/hcg_monotherapy
b) Clomid:  http://www.peaktestosterone.com/clomid_testosterone
c) Arimidex

Arimidex Monotherapy is not very common and only works for a relatively small percentage of men, so you usually see a) and b).  And, yes, you do sound secondary.

One last important comment:  There is a fourth comment.  You can also poke around my site and do some research in general to find out if there might not be some kind of lifestyle issue that is causing your low testosterone.  It is not very commen, but in the realm of possibility to boost your testosterone through lifestyle changes. 

For example, I would also get a sleep study done and make sure you don't have a sleep disorder.  Apnea can lower testosterone by 30+%  for example.  Also, are you overweight?  If so, those extra pounds can actually create a form of secondary hypogonadism.

[darkfire]

I haven't started any HRT yet, and would obviously like to try and fix the problem without resorting to HRT yet. I am 22 years old and not overweight. Also, my estrogen is low so I don't think aromatization is an issue.

I was thinking that my poor sleep may be the reason for my low T, and am trying to fix it by having better sleep hygiene and trying supplements like melatonin. I'm not sure if this alone would be enough to boost from 370 to something more appropriate for a 22 year old.

I don't think I have sleep apnea because I don't wake up out of breath or have a snoring problem. It's more like my mind has trouble switching off at night and I feel tried/alert at all the wrong times.

[PeakT]

I haven't started any HRT yet, and would obviously like to try and fix the problem without resorting to HRT yet. I am 22 years old and not overweight. Also, my estrogen is low so I don't think aromatization is an issue.

I was thinking that my poor sleep may be the reason for my low T, and am trying to fix it by having better sleep hygiene and trying supplements like melatonin. I'm not sure if this alone would be enough to boost from 370 to something more appropriate for a 22 year old.

I don't think I have sleep apnea because I don't wake up out of breath or have a snoring problem. It's more like my mind has trouble switching off at night and I feel tried/alert at all the wrong times.

How do you know your estradiol is low?  Did they take a read?

Well, you are pretty low on testosterone for your age:

http://www.peaktestosterone.com/Testosterone_Levels_Male

Now some guys do just fine in the 300's, but it doesn't sound like you are one of them.  So let's say you fix some sleep disorder and bump your testosterone up 30%.  That would take you into the low 500's.  That's probably not going to make that much difference for you.  It may, but 30% doesn't usually do it from what I've seen.

However, if you have a sleep disorder, you need to find out about it any way imo:

http://www.peaktestosterone.com/erectile_dysfunction_sleep_disorder

There are other sleep disorder besides just apnea.  Again, though, low testosterone can disturb sleep based on the feedback I've gotten and, well, I was one such hombre.

I love melatonin.  Helps me sleep like a baby.  But I don't take it regularly because I've never heard a good argument that it doesn't cause the pineal to atrophy.  I've got a bunch of other sleep aids here though:

http://www.peaktestosterone.com/sleep2

[Ken]

I can tell you I noticed a huge improvement in my sleep quality after going on Tcyp.  I sleep harder for sure and I don't wake up at every little noise anymore, not even my wife's snoring! 

[JackAndy]

I never slept good in my life until I got on testosterone. I sleep 7-8 hours a night usually now unless I'm really tired and then I meet sleep 11. Before that, I would get depressed and sleep 12 hours a day and still feel tired.

[kung_fu_panda]

i actually think i sleep worse as my test levels have gone up... a lil muscle achy...toss n turn... im usually out like a light when i get to bed...just my two cents.

also, i sweat more.. not  when sleeping but with exercise,, never been a big sweater but,  my t shirt (lower back) is always soaked when i get in a hard workout..thats new to me anyway..

[PeakT]

also, i sweat more.. not  when sleeping but with exercise,, never been a big sweater but,  my t shirt (lower back) is always soaked when i get in a hard workout..thats new to me anyway..

I sweat more also.  Not sure what causes that.  I know after taking Neogenis' Beet Elite it did that, which stimulates NO.  Testosterone also (indirectly) can increase nitric oxide, so maybe there is a tie in there.  Don't know...