Low Testosterone
Boost energy and vitality with tailored therapies for low testosterone levels.
What is male hypogonadism (Low Testosterone)?
Hypogonadism is a medical condition when the body does not produce enough male hormone call testosterone. This is a fairly common disorder, and a lot of patients end up seeing an endocrinologist.
Primary hypogonadism
When low testosterone develops because of a testicle problem, you have primary hypogonadism. It may be caused by undescended testicles, mumps infection, testicular injury, or high levels of iron.
Secondary hypogonadism
Secondary hypogonadism results due to a problem in your hypothalamus or pituitary gland, which controls testosterone production. Several conditions such as inflammatory diseases, extreme stress, severe illness, or a pituitary gland tumor are common conditions that may cause hypogonadism. Obesity and certain medications (steroids, pain meds, narcotics) also cause low testosterone.
What should I know about testosterone?
Testosterone is the primary hormone in men, where it’s responsible for male sexual characteristics and maintains overall health.
- Sex drive and sperm production
- Muscle strength and mass
- Fat distribution
- Reduced red blood cells
- Bone density
How does age affect testosterone?
Testosterone starts to drop around age 30; then, it continues to decline yearly up to 2%. This age-related decline could get accelerated by chronic health conditions such as diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, obesity, and high cholesterol. However, the Endocrine Society’s guidelines do not have an age range cut off to testosterone supplements.