Testosterone deficiency

What is testosterone deficiency?

Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone responsible for development of male characteristics. As men age, testosterone levels gradually fall. This natural decline can lead to bothersome symptoms that impact quality of life.

Some common signs and symptoms of low testosterone or testosterone deficiency include:

• Decreased sex drive and erectile dysfunction


• Loss of muscle mass and strength


• Increased body fat and weight gain


• Fatigue, low motivation and depressed mood


• Loss of body and facial hair


• Reduced bone mineral density

If you're experiencing these types of symptoms, talk to your doctor about getting your testosterone levels tested. A simple blood test can determine if your levels are lower than normal.

While testosterone levels drop about 1% per year after age 30, more significant declines that cause symptoms generally don't happen until after 45 or 50 years old. Some potential causes of low testosterone include:

• Aging


• Injury or infection of the testes


• Chemotherapy or radiation treatments


• Medications


• Obesity


• Type 2 diabetes


• Sleep apnea


• Pituitary disorders

If blood testing confirms clinically low testosterone, treatment is often recommended. Options may include:

• Testosterone replacement therapy - Delivers testosterone medication via injections, gels, patches or pellets


• Lifestyle changes - Losing weight, improving diet and increasing exercise can help boost low testosterone


• Treating underlying health conditions - Managing chronic illnesses and disorders that can contribute to deficiency

I hope this gives you a good overview of what testosterone deficiency is, its symptoms, causes and treatment options. Let me know if you have any other questions!