Low testosterone

Low testosterone symptoms in men

Low testosterone levels in men have great effect in their manhood. Those who have low levels of testosterone shall manifest the following:

• Increased irritability
• Weight gain
• Erectile dysfunctions
• Poor sexual performance or loss of libido or stamina
• Depression
• Sleep disturbances or difficulties
• Memory loss
• Weight gain due to increased body fat, muscle mass has depleted
• Gynecomastia – increased size of the mammary glands
• Easy fatigability
• Diabetes
• Sleep deprivation
• Memory loss

Low testosterone Symptoms in women

Women are also affected with low testosterone levels. Most people think that testosterone is an exclusive male hormone, which is a wrong notion. Testosterone is still essential in one’s body and for the process of aging. Once these signs, quite similar with low testosterone levels in men, are noted in women, low testosterone levels are expected:

• Decreased motivation
• Loss of libido or sexual dysfunction
• Easy fatigability
• Increased weight and body fat

Causes for Low testosterone

The primary cause of low testosterone level is old age. Because of aging, the normal functioning of the body may not be fully attained. Glandular dysfunction may develop thus resulting to low levels of the important elements and hormones in the body. Low testosterone level can also be caused by some genetic disorders that involve underproductions of the vital hormone.

Men cannot avoid the effects of aging such as the coming of andropause – the “menopause of men”. Usually, men reach andropause at the later decade of their life. As this process takes place, men are expected to lose their testosterone levels. Aging men end up obese, may develop osteoporosis, and dysfunctional sexual performance. And this is due to hormonal changes or decline.

There are also other major causes for low testosterone levels:

• Obesity
• Injury to the gonads
• Underlying disease such as infections or inflammatory diseases
• Chemotherapy or radiotherapy

According to studies, low testosterone levels are linked to hypogonadism- a condition that causes for a decline in the production of the discussed hormone. The condition is categorized into three types:

Primary hypogonadism – This condition involves affectation of the organ responsible for the production of testosterone. This is also considered as inherited condition. The gonad may have a defect for to cause low testosterone level. This may be due to a condition called Klinefelter syndrome and Turner syndrome. As a person who has suffered from mumps when they were young may the possibility of developing testicular problems.

Secondary hypogonadism – This is due to the pituitary gland and hypothalamus’ inability to properly stimulate release of the testosterone hormone. Hypothalamic defects include Kallmann syndrome and hypopituitarism.

Low testosterone Effects

The effects of low testosterone are the following:

• Loss of muscle tone
• Loss of libido
• Sexual dysfunction such as erectile dysfunction
• Depression or mood changes
• Weight gain due to increased fat
• Loss of energy
• Decreased sense of work
• Decreased bone density

Complications include inability or failure for the secondary sexual characteristics to be developed. This is only possible to young men or children that have acquired the disease process. As this happens, this can lead to the affectation of the esteem of the child.

Low testosterone Diagnosis (test)

Diagnosis of low testosterone level would usually start from a simple physical examination that would lead to the prompting of blood examination. A blood test is aimed to identify for testosterone levels. When a person is also suspected to be suffering from hypogonadism, he or she may be suffering from low testosterone levels. The tests are called Total testosterone and Free testosterone tests.

In order to test for the levels of testosterone, measurement should be done early in the morning. This is because of the fact that testosterone levels are highest in the morning. A person shall be diagnosed with low testosterone level when the normal level of testosterone has dropped by 13% in a day. Normally, the total testosterone level would range from 300 to 1000 ng/dL.

When the collected levels are just right below the minimum level, a repeat of the test is done but will include sex hormone-binding globulin, as it has been reported to be helpful in the verification of the test result. Those young men, who experience the symptoms of low testosterone but have testosterone levels within the normal levels, are still subjected to treatment. This is due to the fact that young men should have over the normal testosterone levels.

Low testosterone Treatment

Treatment for low testosterone level would vary according to gender. In men, testosterone supplement are provided to clients. Replacement therapy is also possible for the treatment. Here are the forms of testosterone replacement therapy:

• Intramuscular injection
• Patch testosterone
• Gel
• pellets

Taking of supplemental agents can assist in the boost of testosterone levels. This would include Zinc supplement can provide good body process. Another known alternative treatment includes Clomifene that would act to stimulate the natural secretion or increase of hormone levels. It is also important that one should seek medical help when the condition is expected so as to treat the presenting symptoms.

It is also advisable that an infant is sent for screening of testosterone level in order to provide replacement at an early time to avoid the complications when growing up. It is also the responsibility of the parents of the child to observe for the male child presenting or developing secondary characteristics. In young adults or middle-aged adults, when sexual dysfunction is noted seeking the doctor’s opinion is essential, and this also goes for the women who experiences loss of sexual desire.

Prevention of Low testosterone

This cannot be prevented once it involves the inability of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad to work properly. It involves a disease process that may be inherited that it cannot be prevented. Old age is also a predisposing factor that cannot be avoided.

But keeping oneself healthy can avoid the progression of low testosterone levels due to precipitating factors. We can avoid obesity that is a possible cause for hypogonadism by following a strict diet regimen.