So here I am, awake and perky at 7 am, contemplating factors that contribute to low T.
Is it finasteride in my case? There is a coincidence, certainly, but I think it’s critical to explore all possible alternative explanations and contributing factors. In my case, disturbed sleep may at least represent a contributing factor.
I typically sleep about 5-6 hours/night, from about midnight to 5-6 am. My blood test indicating low T was taken at 9 am, 3-4 hours after I would have awaken. At first I was concerned that my circadian rhythm was out of synch, and that maybe this 9 am testing time was an undershoot of my true reference T level.
Now consider this study: jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/content/full/90/8/4530
“In conclusion, the present study has shown that sleep increases, and wakefulness decreases, testosterone levels.”
“The ecological interpretation of our findings is speculative, but one might expect disturbed sleep, such as that in sleep apnea and shift work, to result in an acute reduction of testosterone. Likewise, low morning testosterone levels may be indicative of disturbed sleep. There is a need for experiments on the effects of sleep restriction and sleep fragmentation on testosterone levels.”
So, in regard to my own case, as a person who undoubtedly sleeps less than than the average Joe (who presumably comprises the testosterone reference range), this might very well indicate an alterative causal factor for my low T.
Additionally, I’ve read a few profiles on this site that describe actually needing more sleep in order to function properly. If, for these cases, finasteride (or otherwise) is the true cause of decreased T regulation, then these individuals may be using sleep as an alternative mechanism to restore T. They sleep more than they once did, with the excess sleep serving to aid in T restoration.
Just a thought.