Picking Realistic Systems In Reduced testosterone

There's a good reason guys go girl-crazy in their teens and twenties: Their testosterone continue reading this levels are at their peak. From there, More Help though, testosterone levels slowly official source decrease.

"After age 30, most men begin to experience a gradual decline in testosterone," says David Samadi, MD, chairman of the urology department at Lenox Hill Hospital in nyc.

Although testosterone levels never reach zero (as estrogen levels do in women during menopause), low testosterone levels men to experience symptoms such as fatigue, low sex drive, and loss of muscle mass.

While low testosterone is more prevalent in older men, it may occur in younger guys also. Luckily, every one the causes of low testosterone in young men are treatable, so if you experience these symptoms at any given age, there is no reason to dismiss it.

Causes of Low Testosterone in Younger Men

For younger men, a drop in testosterone levels can be brought on by some illnesses, including type 2 diabetes, diabetes, chronic liver or liver disease, COPD or other lung disorder, or adrenal gland issues, according to Dr. Samadi.

Genetic causes of low testosterone in men include the ailments Klinefelter syndrome, Kallmann syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, and Myotonic dystrophy. Another disorder that can result in low testosterone is hemochromatosis, making the body shop too much iron.

"Low testosterone can also result when something happens, like trauma or steroid use, that prevents the testes from making the hormone," states Bruce Gilbert, MD, PhD, an adjunct clinical professor of urology and reproductive medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College and director of reproductive and sexual medicine at the Smith Institute for Urology of the North Shore-LIJ Health System.

Additional causes of low testosterone in males younger than 50 contain adrenal gland tumors, HIV infection, and radiation treatment or chemotherapy for cancer.

Doctors categorize causes of low testosterone as secondary or primary.

"Primary hypogonadism stems from a problem in the testicles," Samadi states. "This could be from a developmental issue, injury to the testicles, or radiation or chemotherapy treatment. In secondary hypogonadism, the testicles are normal but function improperly because of a problem with the hypothalamus or pituitary gland."

Is It Low Testosterone?

Regardless of the reason, low testosterone symptoms would be the same.

"Symptoms include low libido, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, decreased mental acuity, and moodiness," Dr. Gilbert states.


If you suspect low testosterone, the first step is to see your primary care physician. Your doctor can diagnose low testosterone with a blood test.

If your blood test reveals low testosterone (usually defined as a level lower than 300 ng/dL), the doctor may treat you or refer you to a specialist, such as a urologist or endocrinologist.

Treatments for Low Testosterone in Younger Men

Not everyone with low testosterone needs treatment. "When it comes to treating low testosterone in older guys, we usually reserve treatment for people who have symptoms, such as tiredness and low libido," Gilbert says.

Such testosterone supplements come in the form of a gel, injections, patches, long-acting pellets, or oral inserts.

In these circumstances,"treatments are often used only in the brief term, and when a physician has close observation and knowledge of the individual," Gilbert says.

An important consideration for younger men before getting treatment is fertility. "You don't wish to give supplemental testosterone to guys who want to be fertile since it can turn off sperm production," Gilbert says.

Once a young man goes off testosterone supplementation, there's a chance his sperm count will never return to what it was before he started. "Therefore, men of reproductive age should think about alternatives that might improve their testosterone as well as maintain their sperm production," he states. One such choice is a class of drugs known as selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs).

Other treatments for low testosterone include weight loss and other lifestyle modifications, such as eating healthy and increasing exercise.

The main point, however, is that if you've got low testosterone symptoms, it is important to see your physician. Then, your doctor can rule out more significant causes of your symptoms, such as hypertension or a thyroid problem, and offer treatment that could enhance your energy and high quality of life.

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