Low Testosterone (Low-T)
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Testosterone is a hormone required for male development and sexual function and is produced primarily in the testicles. It is responsible for building muscle and bone mass as well as sperm production and sex drive. It influences male pattern fat distribution, bone density, and red blood cell production. Lack of or underproduction of testosterone either directly due to decreased production in the testes orindirectly due to lack of stimulation of the testes to produce testosterone by the pituitary gland is called hypogonadism and is a medical condition requiring treatment.
In the normal developing male, testosterone peaks during early adulthood. Once you reach age 30, testosterone levels slowly decline by approximately 1% a year. This is a normal part of aging. The low limit of testosterone levels in men is about 300 nanograms per deciliter and the upper normal limit is approximately 1000-1200 ng/dl. A low level needs to be investigated further to distinguish it from normal aging.
CAUSES & CONDITIONS
- Obesity
- Diabetes (type 2)
- Chronic medical conditions (especially liver or kidney disease)
- Hormonal disorders
- Infections
- Hormonal disorders
- Medications (narcotics, chemotherapy)
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
- Change in sleep patterns: insomnia or sleep disturbances
- Physical changes: increased body fat and reduced muscle bulk
- Sexual changes: reduced sexual desires, sexual dysfunction, or infertility
- Emotional changes: decreased motivations, depression
- Worsening of sleep apnea
- Worsening of congestive heart failure
Identifying key low testosterone symptoms and following up with proper treatment can have profound effects on quality of life. This is mainly due to our mental, physical, and emotional health being highly dependent on adequate testosterone levels to function properly. Testosterone deficiency can therefore cause a breakdown in bodily function, often subtly, as a man advances in age.
