Simplifying Critical Criteria For low testosterone

There's a fantastic reason guys go girl-crazy in their teens and twenties: Their testosterone look at this now levels are at their peak. From why not try this out there, however, testosterone levels slowly decrease. More Bonuses

"After age 30, most men begin to experience a gradual decline in testosterone," states David Samadi, MD, chairman of the urology department at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

Though testosterone levels never reach zero (as estrogen levels do in women during menopause), low testosterone levels men to experience symptoms such as fatigue, low libido, and loss of muscle mass.

While reduced testosterone is more prevalent in older men, it can occur in younger guys as well. Luckily, all the causes of low testosterone in young guys are treatable, so in the event that you encounter such symptoms at any given age, there's no reason to ignore it.

Causes of Low Testosterone in Younger Men

For younger guys, a drop in testosterone levels may be caused by some ailments, such as type 2 diabetes, chronic liver or kidney disease, COPD or other lung disorder, or pituitary gland issues, according to Dr. Samadi.

Genetic causes of low testosterone in men include the ailments Klinefelter syndrome, Kallmann syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, and Myotonic dystrophy. Another disorder that can result in low testosterone is hemochromatosis, which makes the body store too much iron.

"Low testosterone can also result when something happens, like trauma or steroid use, that prevents the testes from making the hormone," states Bruce Gilbert, MD, PhD, an adjunct clinical professor of urology and reproductive medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College and director of reproductive and sexual medicine at the Smith Institute for Urology of their North Shore-LIJ Health System.

Additional causes of low testosterone in men younger than 50 include pituitary gland tumors, HIV disease, and radiation therapy or chemotherapy for cancer.

Doctors categorize causes of low testosterone as primary or secondary.

"Primary hypogonadism stems from a problem in the testicles," Samadi says. "This could be from a developmental issue, injury to the testicles, or radiation or chemotherapy treatment.

Can It Be Low Testosterone?

Irrespective of the reason, low testosterone symptoms are the same.

"Symptoms include low libido, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, decreased mental acuity, and moodiness," Dr. Gilbert says.

"Younger men with low testosterone usually come to me and say, ‘I can't work out like I used to, and I've lost interest in sex.' ”

If you suspect low testosterone, the first step is to see your primary care physician.

If your blood test reveals low testosterone (usually defined as a level lower than 300 ng/dL), the doctor may treat you or refer you to a specialist, such as an urologist or endocrinologist.


Not everyone with low testosterone needs treatment. "When it comes to treating low testosterone in younger guys, we generally reserve treatment for people who have symptoms, such as tiredness and reduced libido," Gilbert says.


In these circumstances,"therapies are often used just in the brief term, and if a doctor has close observation and knowledge of the patient," Gilbert says.

An important consideration for younger men before getting treatment is fertility. "You don't want to give supplemental testosterone to men who want to be fertile because it can turn off sperm production," Gilbert says.

Once a young man goes off testosterone supplementation, there's a chance his sperm count will never return to what it was before he started. "Therefore, men of reproductive age should consider alternatives which may improve their testosterone in addition to preserve their sperm production," he says. One such choice is a category of drugs known as selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs).

Other remedies for low testosterone include weight loss and other lifestyle modifications, like eating healthier and increasing exercise.

The bottom line, however, is that if you have low testosterone symptoms, it's very important to see your physician. Then, your doctor can rule out potentially more serious causes of your symptoms, such as hypertension or a thyroid problem, and give treatment that can improve your energy and high quality of life.

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