Causes Of Testosterone Deficiency In Men
There are different reasons why the levels of testosterone drop in a man. The main reason is due to aging, which is natural. Thankfully, one can slow down the decline by engaging in rigorous exercise and eating healthy food.
Other causes of low testosterone are as follows:
Before coming up with a proper diagnosis, your doctor will ask you many questions about your medical history. These questions are aimed at finding the cause. With that said, it would be an excellent idea for you to make your medical history available to make things easier.
What’s A Normal Testosterone Level
Testosterone is a natural hormone produced primarily in the testicles, and it helps men maintain everything from bone density and body hair to sex drive and sperm production. However, you don’t have to hit a certain number or level to be “a real man,” despite what the constant flow of ads may tell you. What matters is who you are and where you are in your life.
On average, a testosterone level of 3001,000 nanograms per deciliter of blood is normal. Hypogonadism reduced testicular function generally occurs when the total testosterone is less than 300 ng/dL. However, a healthy level for you depends on your age, lifestyle, and bioavailable testosterone level the unbound testosterone your body isn’t using for daily functions.
Unlike many low-T clinics, we calculate bioavailable testosterone by measuring levels of two proteins, sex hormone binding globulin and albumin, that typically bind to testosterone. It’s possible to have a normal total testosterone level and experience low-T symptoms if this balance is off.
Having a normal bioavailable testosterone level tells us your body is making plenty and you likely won’t benefit from testosterone replacement therapy. If your bioavailable testosterone level is low, we can discuss options.
Dysregulation Of The Hypothalamic
In a circadian study, daytime and nocturnal total testosterone levels and the 24-h mean testosterone secretion were significantly lower in men with severe major depressive episodes based on high Hamilton scores and high 24-h mean cortisol secretion . The role of hypothalamicpituitaryadrenal hypersecretion observed in severe major depressive episodes and the well-known ability of high cortisol to suppress the hypothalamic-pituitarygonadal axis in the relationship of testosterone and depression requires further investigation.
Subsequent neuroendocrine research including meta-analyses have found that basal testosterone levels and 24-h testosterone secretion are abnormally low in men with major depressive episodes . Basal secretion of LH and FSH, LH pulse frequency, and GnRH-stimulation gonadotropin secretion by the anterior pituitary are not altered in major depressive disorder indicating that anterior pituitary gonadotropin dysregulation may not contribute to low testosterone levels . A recent meta-analysis of hypothalamic-pituitarygonadal dysregulation in depression raised the caveat that new LH and FSH assays with greater sensitivity and improved quality control should be used to reassess the role of gonadotropin secretion in depression.
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Causes Of Low Testosterone
Beginning around age 30 to 40, testosterone levels may start to slowly decrease. This occurs naturally.
Other causes of low testosterone include:
- Medicine side effects, such as from chemotherapy.
- Testicle injury or cancer.
- Too much body fat . Ask your doctor whether you need a test called free testosterone.
- Other disorders, chronic diseases, treatments, or infection.
Your Memory And Concentration Have Gone To Pot
While you can blame forgetfulness or not feeling as sharp as you once were on getting older, these could also be signs that your testosterone is low. A 2021 study found that men with higher concentrations of testosterone reported better scores on the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimers Disease test compared to men with lower concentrations.
Research into how low T levels affect memory hasnt come up with a definitive cause-and-effect relationship. But its clear that as men age and their T levels drop, their cognitive abilities decline, too. And anecdotally, many men express that they feel a mental fog lifting off of them when they start on TRT, says Calvert.
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Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Androgen Deficiency
Could my symptoms be caused by something other than androgen deficiency? Are there any lifestyle changes I can make to minimise the effect androgen deficiency has on my health and wellbeing? If I need testosterone treatment for my androgen deficiency, what tests will I need to make sure the treatment is working? What are the side effects of testosterone treatment for androgen deficiency? How are these monitored?
What Are The Longer
Symptoms of male hypogonadism, such as lack of sex drive, inadequate erections and infertility, can lead to low self-esteem and cause depression. Professional counselling is available to help deal with these side-effects patients should talk to their doctor for more information. Patients generally see an improvement in their sex drive and self-esteem following testosterone replacement therapy. Erectile dusfunction is a common symptom in patients without hypogonadism and may need treatment in addition to testosterone.
Male hypogonadism has been linked with an increased risk of developing heart disease . Studies have shown that testosterone levels can be lower in men with type 2 diabetes and in men with excess body weight. However, it is not clear whether this is an association or a direct cause and effect. Lifestyle changes to reduce weight and increase exercise can raise testosterone levels in men with diabetes.
Testosterone levels in men decline naturally as they age. In the media, this is sometimes referred to as the male menopause although this is not a generally accepted medical term. Low testosterone levels can also cause difficulty with concentration, memory loss and sleep difficulties. Current research suggests that this effect occurs in only a small group of ageing men. However, there is a lot of research in progress to find out more about the effects of testosterone in older men and also whether the use of testosterone replacement therapy would have any benefits.
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How Is Azoospermia Diagnosed
Azoospermia is diagnosed when, on two separate occasions, your sperm sample reveals no sperm when examined under a high-powered microscope following a spin in a centrifuge. A centrifuge is a laboratory instrument that spins a test sample at a high speed to separate it into its various parts. In the case of centrifuged seminal fluid, if sperm cells are present, they separate from the fluid around them and can be viewed under a microscope.
As part of the diagnosis, your healthcare provider will take your medical history, including asking you about the following:
- Fertility success or failure in the past .
- Childhood illnesses.
- Injuries or surgeries in the pelvic area .
- Urinary or reproductive tract infections.
- Exposure to radiation or chemotherapy.
- Your current and past medications.
- Any abuse of alcohol, marijuana or other drugs.
- Recent fevers or exposure to heat, including frequent saunas or steam baths .
- Family history of birth defects, learning disabilities, reproductive failure or cystic fibrosis.
Your healthcare provider will also conduct a physical examination, and will check:
- Your entire body in terms of signs of/lack of maturation of your body and reproductive organs.
Your healthcare provider may also order the following tests:
Hair Loss Or Lack Of Hair Growth
Hair loss and balding has been the bane of existence for most men. It just so happens that the hormone which is responsible for most manly features also causes balding and hair loss.
Additionally, low testosterone levels have been linked to an inability to grow adequate facial hair.
Similarly, too much testosterone can also cause balding and hair loss, which is why its so important to monitor your testosterone levels.
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What Causes An Undescended Testicle
The exact cause of an undescended testicle isnt known. However, researchers believe that a combination of certain factors likely plays a role. These include genetics, the mothers health, and environmental factors, such as exposure to pesticides or secondhand smoke.
Doctors consider premature birth to be a major contributing risk factor for an undescended testicle. Nearly one-third of premature baby boys have the condition, reports the Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital. An estimated 3 to 5 percent of male babies have it.
Excess fibrous tissue or muscles that wont stretch in your childs groin can cause an undescended testicle. A surgeon can correct these issues.
What Are The Symptoms Of Low Testosterone In Males
Testosterone is a hormone that plays an important role in both male and female health. In males, testosterone is responsible for the development of male sexual characteristics, such as deepening of the voice and increased muscle mass.
It also helps to regulate sex drive, bone mass, fat distribution, and red blood cell production.
Males with low testosterone often experience a decreased sex drive, as well as difficulties achieving or maintaining an erection.
Other common symptoms include a diminished sense of well-being, depressed mood, difficulties with concentration and memory, fatigue, moodiness and irritability, and loss of muscular strength.
In some cases, low testosterone can also result in osteoporosis.
In addition, low testosterone can cause anemia, osteoporosis, gynecomastia, and infertility.
While the symptoms of low testosterone can vary depending on the persons age, they can be significantly debilitating and hurt the quality of life.
Treatment options vary depending on the cause and severity of the condition. However, in many cases, low testosterone can be effectively treated with hormone replacement therapy or testosterone supplements.
Low testosterone is diagnosed by measuring the amount of testosterone in the blood with a blood test.
It may take several measurements to determine if a patient has low testosterone since levels tend to change throughout the day.
The highest levels of testosterone are generally in the morning, near 8 a.m.
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Changes In Mood Or Mood Swings
Some evidence suggests that people with low testosterone levels are likely to experience a lack of focus, irritability, and depression.
One found that testosterone replacement therapy significantly improved depression symptoms and overall quality of life in those with low testosterone.
For more research-backed information and resources for mens health, please visit our dedicated hub.
Females may also experience specific low testosterone symptoms, such as the following.
Treatment For Low Testosterone
If youre experiencing any of the signs of low testosterone, its important to first talk to your doctor. Many of these signs are common and could be reflective of other problems. To ensure that youre getting the proper treatment, a medical diagnosis is needed. If your doctor concludes that your suffering from low testosterone, only then should you consider treatment. Never try to self-treat low testosterone with medications that have not been approved by your doctorits too risky. Instead, talk to your doctor about treatment options to find one that works for you.
You know your body best, so if you start to notice any of these signs of low testosterone dont hesitate to make an appointment with your doctor. Your doctor will be able to test for testosterone imbalances and then help you correct them to mitigate these signs of symptoms. If you need any urological supplies or educational resources, visit our educational support page or our product selection guide. Byram Healthcare is proud to offer full-service urological care and we have all the high quality urological supplies that you need. If you need to order any urological supplies, all of your orders can be discreetly delivered to your home. If you have any urological questions or need personalized, confidential services, our customer service team is here to help.
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Youve Developed Man Boobs
If you do put on excess weight, you may find it in an unwanted area: your chest. The technical term for breast growth in men is gynecomastia, and can be related to an increased level of estrogen in comparison to testosterone, says Calvert.
Gynecomastia is usually not harmful but the breast tissue can be sore, and many men find it embarrassing, especially during summer months when youre baring your chest at the pool or backyard barbeques.
Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism And Depression
A previous study found that young men with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism due to a GnRH deficiency who had very low testosterone levels compared to normal controls exhibited a high incidence of depression . When hypogonadotropic hypogonadal men were treated with testosterone replacement therapy, their Beck depression score decreased by 90% and was similar to normal male controls .
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Classification Of Male Hypogonadism
There are two basic types of hypogonadism that exist:
Primary: This type of hypogonadism also known as primary testicular failure originates from a problem in the testicles.
Secondary: This type of hypogonadism indicates a problem in the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland parts of the brain that signal the testicles to produce testosterone. The hypothalamus produces the gonadotropin releasing hormone, which signals the pituitary gland to make the follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. The luteinizing hormone then signals the testes to produce testosterone. Either type of hypogonadism may be caused by an inherited trait or something that happens later in life , such as an injury or an infection.
Treating Low Testosterone Symptoms
Low testosterone in men can easily be confused with other medical conditions which is why its so important for you to measure your levels regularly if you present with a collection of the symptoms discussed above.
Low testosterone therapy is one of the many solutions at your disposal to rectify the disparity in your hormonal levels.
Coupling this treatment with lifestyle and physical adjustment that are known to increase testosterone levels, its highly possible to treat this condition adequately and successfully.
The medical professionals at Proactive Mens Medical Center in Cincinnati specialize in treating conditions that impact mens health. Our concierge approach positions your unique case at the centerpoint of our focus. We dont just give you a pill for ED and send you on your way. We treat the underlying issues that led to conditions such as , low testosterone , and more. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment.
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Youre Tired All The Time
Fatigue is a common sign of low testosterone. You might feel like you just dont have the energy that youre used to. Or you might be incredibly tired, all the time.
According to the American Urological Association, men with low testosterone levels have a higher prevalence of fatigue than men with normal testosterone levels.
Researchers arent sure why fatigue is such a common symptom of low testosterone in men, but it could be related to sleep disturbances. Testosterone production peaks during deep sleep. If youre not getting adequate nighttime rest, your T levels may not reach their daytime peak. In one JAMA study , daytime testosterone levels decreased by 10-15% among healthy young men who restricted sleep to 5 hours per night for one week. Of course, skimping on sleep will make you tired in its own right, but there could be a double threat.
Fortunately an increased boost in energy is one of the first things I hear from my guys I put on TRT, says Calvert.
Symptoms Of Low T In Men
Testosterone is the predominantly male hormone produced largely by the testes, affecting everything from male features and appearance to sexual drive and even energy, metabolism and mood.
Although testosterone production in young males is usually well within medical ranges provided no underlying conditions or injuries exist, as we age testosterone production steadily declines. Starting around age 30, the production of this vital hormone can drop by as much as 1% per year.
While every individual is unique and responds differently, lower levels often cause symptoms associated with low testosterone or Low T.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 1 in 4 men had low total testosterone serum levels.
At Spartan Medical Associates our team of talented medical professionals is often sought out to aid with optimizing testosterone through hormone replacement therapy. While some symptoms associated with low testosterone may be subtle, others can severely impact the quality of life while increasing the risk for serious injury or other medical conditions. Spartan Medical Associates uses the latest evidence-based studies in the treatment of men for low testosterone.
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Causes Of Low Testosterone:
It is expected that most men will have some decline in testosterone as they age. Usually these declines are insignificant and do not cause noticeable symptoms. There are various factors that could cause low testosterone levels. Some of these include:
- Organ Damage or Failure: If there is injury/damage to an organ responsible for producing or releasing testosterone, low testosterone can occur. Infections, prior surgeries, radiation, chemotherapy, or certain medications may compromise organs involved in testosterone production and regulation.
- Lifestyle: Certain lifestyle choices can impact testosterone levels. Obesity is a major contributor to low testosterone. This is because fat cells convert testosterone to estrogen. Hypertension , kidney disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, COPD may also cause low testosterone.
- Smoking and Drugs: Smoking, alcohol, and drug abuse have been shown to decrease testosterone levels. It is estimated that 75/100 men who have been taking opioids long-term have low testosterone.
- Psychological Conditions: Certain psychiatric conditions may cause low testosterone. Depression and anxiety are among the most common that can cause low testosterone.
- Other: Other conditions may cause low testosterone. Concurrent illness, inflammatory conditions, certain genetic anomalies, and endocrine issues may affect testosterone levels.
Causes And Risk Factors Of Low Testosterone
A variety of other medical conditions can cause significantly lower-than-normal testosterone levels in boys and men. These include:
- Follicle Stimulating Hormone This may be checked for sperm-making function.
- Estradiol Hormone Test This is performed if the patient has enlarged breasts.
- Glycosylated Hemoglobin Blood Test This test looks for diabetes by checking the level of hemoglobin attached to glucose.
- Thyroid Hormone Levels Assessing other hormonal abnormalities can contribute to diagnosis.
- Cortisol Level This is another potential hormonal abnormality.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging An MRI scan of the pituitary gland may be performed.
- Bone Density Tests Low T can promote bone loss.
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