Low testosterone
What is testosterone?
Testosterone is the male sex hormone.
It is primarily made in the testes in males.
Testosterone promotes development of male characteristics like increased muscle and bone mass, body hair growth, and a deeper voice. It also influences mood, energy levels, libido (sex drive), and red blood cell production.
Testosterone levels change throughout the day. They also naturally decrease with aging.
What causes low tesosterone?
Low testosterone, also called hypogonadism, is a condition where the body doesn’t produce enough testosterone.
It occurs due to a problem with the testes or the glands in the brain (the hypothalamus and pituitary gland) that regulate testosterone production.
Problems with the testes can be due to genetic conditions, trauma, infections, and testicular cancer.
Problems with the hypothalamus and pituitary gland can be due to stress, weight gain, lack of physical activity, poor sleep, head injury, and pituitary gland tumours.
Low testosterone is also a side effect of some prostate cancer treatments.
What are the symptoms of low testosterone?
Low testosterone can lead to a variety of symptoms, which can vary from person to person.
Fatigue
Weight gain
Loss of muscle
Low libido
Erectile dysfunction
Low mood
Read more about the conditions associated with low testosterone below.
How is low testosterone diagnosed?
Low testosterone is diagnosed through a combination of symptom evaluation, physical examination, and blood tests.
How is low testosterone treated?
Low testosterone can be treated with lifestyle changes, medications containing synthetic testosterone, known as testosterone replacement therapy, and medications to boost natural testosterone production.
