Low testosterone
What is testosterone?
Testosterone is a hormone primarily produced in the testes in males.
It promotes development of male characteristics like increased muscle and bone mass, body hair growth, and a deeper voice, and influences mood, energy levels, libido, and red blood cell production.
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.
What are the symptoms of low testosterone?
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.
