Low testosterone is a condition that affects men, though not life-threatening, it can be dangerous. In this guide, we would look at the cause of low testosterone, and the treatment measure one can use to treat low testosterone. Read through this guide if you would like to know.
First of all, let’s know what testosterone is.
Testosterone is the primary sex hormone in men, and it is responsible for the development of many of the physical characteristics that are considered typically male, such as deep voice, hair growth, increased bone density, and many others.
Testosterone, part of a hormone class known as androgens, is produced by the testicles after stimulation from the pituitary gland, which is located near the base of the brain and sends signals to a male’s testicles that spark feelings of sexual desire, notes MedlinePlus.
What Is Low Testosterone?
During puberty (in the teen years), testosterone helps boys develop male features like body and facial hair, deeper voice, and muscle strength. Men need testosterone to make sperm. Testosterone levels generally decrease with age, so older men tend to have low blood testosterone levels.
Some men have low testosterone levels. This is called Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome (TD) or Low Testosterone (Low-T). Deficiency meathat the body does not have enough of a needed substance. A syndrome is a group of symptoms that suggest a disease or health condition.
More specifically, the Leydig cells in your testicles make testosterone.
Low testosterone causes different symptoms at different ages. Testosterone levels in adults AMAB naturally decline as they age.
Sometimes referred to as “andropause,” low testosterone levels are often compared to menopause in women. However, in menopause, there is a complete estrogen deficiency causing known clinical side effects. Men have decreased levels of their sex hormones with less obvious clinical consequences.
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 medicatiomay compromise orgainvolved 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 (high blood pressure), kidney disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and COPD may also cause low testosterone.
- Smoking and Drugs: Smoking, alcohol, and drug abuse (especially opioids) 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 conditiomay cause low testosterone. Depression and anxiety are among the most common that can cause low testosterone.
- Other: Other conditiomay cause low testosterone. Concurrent illness, inflammatory conditions, certain genetic anomalies, and endocrine issues may affect testosterone levels.
What are the symptoms of low testosterone?
Symptoms of low testosterone can vary considerably, particularly by age.
Symptoms that highly suggest low testosterone in adults assigned male at birth include:
- Reduced sex drive.
- Erectile dysfunction.
- Loss of armpit and pubic hair.
- Shrinking testicles.
- Hot flashes.
- Low or zero sperm count (azoospermia), causes male infertility.
Other symptoms of low testosterone in adults AMAB include:
- Depressed mood.
- Difficulties with concentration and memory.
- Increased body fat.
- Enlarged male breast tissue (gynecomastia).
- Decrease in muscle strength and mass.
- Decrease in endurance.
Reduction in testicle size
A male with low testosterone may notice a reduction in the size of their testicles that are not related to cold temperatures.
The scrotum may also feel softer than usual.
Reduction in the amount of semen
Semen is the fluid that makes up the majority of males ejaculate. This type of fluid helps the sperm move toward the egg.
Testosterone helps stimulate the production of semen, and reduced semen levels can indicate a reduction in testosterone. It can also lead to fertility issues.
Difficulty sleeping
People with low testosterone may find it difficult to fall or stay asleep.
Low testosterone levels are common in men who have sleep apnea. This potentially severe disorder causes a person to stop breathing, which can disrupt sleep temporarily.
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 2017 review found that testosterone replacement therapy significantly improved depression symptoms and overall quality of life in those with low testosterone.
When to contact a doctor
Low testosterone does not always present symptoms, and some people only learn about it after a routine physical examination with blood work.
However, anyone who experiences one or more of the above symptoms should seek medical atestosteroneention.
To diagnose low testosterone, a doctor will often perform a physical evaluation and review the person’s symptoms. The doctor may also request testing to look for additional signs.
For example, a bone density test can show diminished bone mass, one result of low testosterone.
How Is Low Testosterone Diagnosed?
Low testosterone is diagnosed with the following tests to check:
- Total Testosterone Level
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Abnormal levels may mean a pituitary gland problem, which can cause low T.
- Blood Prolactin Level High levels can also signal pituitary problems or tumors.
- Blood Hemoglobin (Hgb)
Other possible tests are:
- Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) This may be checked for sperm-making function.
- Estradiol Hormone Test This is performed if the patient has enlarged breasts.
- Glycosylated Hemoglobin (HgbA1C) Blood Test This test looks for diabetes by checking the level of hemoglobin atestosteroneached to glucose.
- Thyroid Hormone Levels Assessing other hormonal abnormalities can contribute to the diagnosis.
- Cortisol Level This is another potential hormonal abnormality.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) An MRI scan of the pituitary gland may be performed.
- Bone Density Tests Low T can promote bone loss.
- Karyotype (Chromosome Tests)
Prognosis of Low T
The long-term outlook is good if diagnosed and treated early. Treatment can reverse symptoms, and reduce the risk of muscle and bone loss, notes Urology Austin.
How is low testosterone treated?
Healthcare providers treat low testosterone (male hypogonadism) with testosterone replacement therapy. Testosterone replacement therapy has several different forms, including:
Testosterone skin gels: You apply the gel every day to clean, dry skin as directed. It’s important that you don’t transfer the gel to another person through skin-to-skin contact. Testosterone skin gels are one of the most common forms of treatment in the U.S.
Intramuscular testosterone injections: You or a provider can administer the injectiointo a muscle every 1 to 2 weeks. Providers can administer long-acting testosterone by injection every 10 weeks. There are also subcutaneous injection options.
Testosterone patches: You apply these patches every day to your skin as directed. You usually have to rotate their location to avoid skin reactions.
Testosterone pellets: A specialist implants these pellets under your skin every three to six months. The pellets provide consistent and long-term testosterone dosages.
Buccal testosterone tablets: These are sticky pills that you apply to your gums twice a day. The testosterone absorbs quickly into your bloodstream through your gums.
Testosterone nasal gel: You apply a testosterone gel by applying it to each nostril three times a day.
Oral testosterone: A pill form of testosterone called undecanoate is available for people with low testosterone due to specific medical conditions, such as Klinefelter syndrome or tumors that have damaged their pituitary gland.
You may not be able to receive testosterone replacement therapy if you have a history of the following:
- Prostate cancer.
- An unevaluated lump on your prostate. Everyone considering testosterone replacement therapy must undergo prostate screening before starting this therapy.
- Breast cancer.
- Uncontrolled heart failure.
- Untreated obstructive sleep apnea.
Are There Side Effects of Testosterone?
There are some side effects of testosterone. Some side effects are mild while others are more serious. You should ask your doctor or pharmacist about these side effects and watch for them while you are taking testosterone. Some of the side effects are as follows:
- For gels and liquids, there may be some redness at the skin site. With patches, you may have itching and a rash around the area. A very small number of patients report back pain.
- For short-acting injections, you may have some reaction at the injection site. Some persohave had serious allergic reactioto long-acting injections. Because of this, when you get the long-acting injection they will watch you closely for a while afterward in the medical office.
- For testosterone pellets, possible adverse effects include swelling, pain, bruising, and, rarely, hematoma (clotted blood under the skin).
- During testosterone, there is an increased risk of erythrocytosis (abnormal raising of blood hemoglobin and hematocrit).
- Testosterone may interrupt normal sperm production. You should not have testosterone if you plan on having children soon. If you are being treated for Low-T your doctor may suggest added treatment for sperm production.
- Topical testosterone, specifically gels, creams, and liquids, may transfer to others. Women and children are most at risk of harmful effects from contact with them. You should take care to cover the area and wash your hands well after putting on the medication. Be careful not to let the site with the topical testosterone touch others because that could transfer the drug.
- The FDA suggests watching for sigand symptoms of early puberty in a child you live with or have contact with if you use topical testosterone. Do not let children touch the unwashed or unclothed area where you put the drug
Can low testosterone be prevented?
Healthcare providers and medical researchers don’t know how to prevent low testosterone from genetic conditioor damage to your testicles, hypothalamus, or pituitary gland.
Lifestyle habits that may help keep testosterone levels normal include:
- Eating a healthy diet.
- exercise
- Weight management.
- Avoiding excessive use of alcohol and drugs.
Conclusion
To conclude, low testosterone can be prevented if you avoid some reckless habits. But if you have contacted the condition already, you should not panic as we have listed ways that can be used to treat low testosterone.