Low Testosterone (Low T)
Testosterone is the male hormone that is responsible for development the testes during puberty and contributes to male attributes such as facial hair and a deepened voice, while affecting a man's libido and even his mood.
Symptoms of Low Testosterone (Low-T)
After the age of 30, a man's testosterone levels naturally begin to decrease. For some patients, it may be much earlier. This regression is usually gradual and spread out over the rest of his life. In some cases though, the levels drop rapidly, which leads to a host of symptoms. Some of these may include:
- Reduced sexual desire
- Poor mood
- Less energy
- Chronic fatigue
- Irritability
- Osteoporosis
- Metabolic syndrome
- Anemia
- Loss of bone density or possibly height
- Poor strength or less muscle mass
- Weaker erections
- Obesity, type 2 diabetes, or problems with your thyroid
- Less semen during ejaculation
- Testicle shrinkage or numbness in the testicles
- Erectile dysfunction
Causes for Low-T
Low testosterone can occur due to a number of reasons:
- Undescended testicles
- Congenital abnormality
- Injury to the testicles
- Medications
- Cancer treatments
- Environmental toxicity
- Poor sleep
- Aging
- History of mumps infection
- Genetic conditions
- Sedentary lifestyle
When low testosterone is a result of a condition in the pituitary gland or hypothalamus, doctors may look for the following potential causes:
Low-T: Testing and Treatment
The first test your doctor will likely perform is a check to determine where your testosterone levels are. In some cases, they may already be dangerously low before any of the more serious symptoms have become apparent.
Treatment can include Testosterone Replacement Therapy in order to re-establish normal hormone balance. There are several common forms of this treatment and the doctors at Cedar Male Medical will help you find the right one. Find out more here!
- Damage to the pituitary gland
- Pituitary tumor
- A malformed hypothalamus
- A decrease in blood flow to the pituitary gland or hypothalamus
- The existence of the HIV or AIDS virus because either one may inflame the pituitary gland or hypothalamus
