OverviewWhat is low testosterone (male hypogonadism)?
Low testosterone (male hypogonadism) is a condition in which the testes (testicles, the male reproductive glands) do not produce enough testosterone (a male sex hormone).
In men, testosterone helps maintain and develop:
Low testosterone affects almost 40% of men aged 45 and older. It is difficult to define normal testosterone levels, because levels vary throughout the day and are affected by body mass index (BMI), nutrition, alcohol consumption, certain medications, age and illness.
As a man ages, the amount of testosterone in his body gradually drops. This natural decline starts after age 30 and continues (about 1% per year) throughout his life.
There are many other potential causes of low testosterone, including the following:
Symptoms of low testosterone depend on the age of person, and include the following:
Other changes that occur with low testosterone include:
Low testosterone is diagnosed by measuring the amount of testosterone in the blood with a blood test. It may take several measurements to determine if a patient has low testosterone, since levels tend to change throughout the day. The highest levels of testosterone are generally in the morning, near 8 a.m. This is why doctors prefer to measure testosterone levels in the early morning.
Low testosterone is treated with testosterone replacement therapy, which can be given in several different ways:
(Oral testosterone is not approved for use in the United States.)
Potential benefits of testosterone replacement therapy may include:
The side effects of testosterone replacement therapy include:
Laboratory abnormalities that can occur with testosterone replacement include:
If you are taking hormone replacement therapy, regular follow-up appointments with your physician are important.
Guidelines suggest discussing the potential risk vs. benefit of evaluating prostate cancer risk and prostate monitoring. The doctor and patient will decide together regarding prostate cancer monitoring. For patients who choose monitoring, clinicians should assess prostate cancer risk before starting testosterone treatment, and 3 to 12 months after starting testosterone:
Testosterone replacement therapy may cause the prostate to grow. If a man has early prostate cancer, there is concern that testosterone may stimulate the cancer's growth. Therefore, men who have prostate cancer should not take testosterone replacement therapy. It is important for all men considering testosterone replacement therapy to undergo prostate screening before starting this therapy.
Other men who should not take testosterone replacement therapy include those who have:
There are no known ways to prevent low testosterone that is caused by genetic conditions or damage to the testes or pituitary gland.
A healthy lifestyle that includes good nutrition, exercise, weight management, and that avoids excessive use of alcohol and drugs can help keep testosterone levels normal.
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Low Testosterone (Low T): Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis ...
