What is testosterone?
Testosterone, also called the male sex hormone, is produced by your testes. As a hormone and anabolic steroid, testosterone is responsible for the development and regulation of many of your male characteristics, including:
- Muscle and bone mass
- Body and facial hair
- Sex drive
- Fat distribution
What constitutes low levels of testosterone?
Testosterone is measured in nanograms per deciliter — a normal range is between 300 and 800 nanograms per deciliter. A blood test is the best way to determine these levels. Anything below 300 nanograms is considered a low testosterone level.
What are the symptoms of low testosterone?
When your testosterone levels drop, you may notice many symptoms, including:
- Diminished sex drive
- Erectile dysfunction
- Fatigue
- Muscle and bone loss
- Increased breast tissue
Many men also report an increase in anxiety or depression that appears to be related to the drop in testosterone.
What causes low testosterone?
There are many reasons why your testosterone levels are low, and aging is usually the primary cause. Your testosterone levels reach their peak in your 20s and typically start a gradual decline — about 1.5% a year — once you hit your 30s. In addition to aging, a number of conditions or events can cause a decline in testosterone, including:
- Injury to your testicles
- Cancer of your testicles
- Hormonal disorders
- Infection
- Certain medications
- Obesity
- Type 2 diabetes
- HIV
Some of these conditions contribute to hypogonadism, a condition in which your body doesn’t produce enough testosterone. You may be born with hypogonadism, or you may develop it later in life as a result of any of the conditions listed above.
What are the treatments for low testosterone?
The primary treatment for low testosterone that is classified as hypogonadism is testosterone replacement therapy. This therapy delivers controlled amounts of testosterone through:
- Gels
- Pellets
- Patches
- Injections
The medical professionals at Men’s Health Chicago have extensive experience successfully treating men with testosterone replacement therapy.
To find out whether this therapy is right for you, call one of the three offices in Chicago, Naperville, or Schaumburg, Illinois, or book an appointment online.
