Low Testosterone
While many people shy away from talking about the topic of low testosterone, it’s actually a very common condition, and patients should feel comfortable talking about it with their healthcare practitioner.
What is Low Testosterone?
Also known as “Low-T,” the American Urology Association (AUA) identifies low blood testosterone as less than 300 nanograms per deciliter. Testosterone is the male sex hormone that is made in the testicles; it’s what men need in order to make sperm. As one might imagine, testosterone hormone levels are important to normal male sexual development and functions. Levels of testosterone tend to decrease with age, so older men tend to have lower levels.
Unfortunately, some men just have lower testosterone levels. Often referred to as Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome (TD) or Low Testosterone (Low-T), the condition simply means that the body is not producing enough testosterone.
Symptoms of Low-T
There are several symptoms to watch for if a patient thinks he may have lower levels of testosterone. Those include:
- Reduced sex drive
- Feeling tired all the time
- Erectile dysfunction
- Irritability
- Reduced lean muscle mass
- Depression
- Loss of body hair
- Lower energy levels
- Poor focus or memory
What Causes Low-T?
There are a number of potential causes for low testosterone. Several causes to consider include:
- Damage to the testicles by an accident
- Testicle removal (due to a diagnosis such as cancer)
- Hormone deficiencies
- Autoimmune diseases
- Chemotherapy or radiation
- Varying infections
Of course, as with any medical diagnosis, a patient will want to confer with a physician to determine a potential cause and recommended course of action.
Potential Treatment Options
For many men, the option of Testosterone Therapy (TT) is on the table. It’s important to talk with a urologist to determine if this is the best treatment option. At Avant Concierge Urology, our team has decades of experience understanding the causes and treatments for low testosterone, and we’re ready to help you better understand whether Low-T is impacting you – and how you can deal with it – today!