Causes of Testosterone Deficiency
Male hypogonadism is the medical phrase used to describe men with severe testosterone deficiency.
The degree of severity of the condition can vary from individual to individual, but there is universal similarity of symptoms in testosterone deficient males - these include fatigue, lethargy, mood changes, ill temper, sexual dysfunction, poor erectile function, loss of sexual interest, diminished muscle strength, osteoporosis and anaemia.
Classical male hypogonadism is most frequently due to primary testicular disease e.
g.
Klinefelters syndrome, but may result from malfunctioning of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus in the brain.
Male hypogonadism is estimated to have a prevalence of 5 per 1000 men making it one of the commonest forms of hormonal deficiencies in men.
Physiological androgen replacement aims to restore circulating testosterone concentration to normal in men with hypogonadism.
Common causes for reduced testosterone production that results in a deficiency state include : Testicular Disorders
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) aims to restore circulating testosterone concentration to normal in men with all degrees of hypogonadism.
TRT is highly effective in restoration of blood testosterone levels to the normal ranges and safely and effectively resolves all symptoms associated with testosterone deficiency.
The use of testosterone in the management in middle aged and older men who exhibit symptoms associated with lowered testosterone levels, but do not have testicular or brain disorders which contribute to their testosterone deficiency is one of the most rapidly expanding areas of medical practice.
It is the Androgen Deficient Ageing Male (ADAM) or late-onset hypogonadal male that is the largest underdiagnosed group of all testosterone deficient individuals.
Symptoms are often non-specific, can be confounded by pre-existing medical conditions (obesity, chronic illness) and include lethargy, sleep disturbances, loss of libido, irritability, anxiety, reduced concentration and depressed mood.
This individual will usually have a testosterone blood test that is at the bottom end of the normal range.
The degree of severity of the condition can vary from individual to individual, but there is universal similarity of symptoms in testosterone deficient males - these include fatigue, lethargy, mood changes, ill temper, sexual dysfunction, poor erectile function, loss of sexual interest, diminished muscle strength, osteoporosis and anaemia.
Classical male hypogonadism is most frequently due to primary testicular disease e.
g.
Klinefelters syndrome, but may result from malfunctioning of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus in the brain.
Male hypogonadism is estimated to have a prevalence of 5 per 1000 men making it one of the commonest forms of hormonal deficiencies in men.
Physiological androgen replacement aims to restore circulating testosterone concentration to normal in men with hypogonadism.
Common causes for reduced testosterone production that results in a deficiency state include : Testicular Disorders
- Klinefelter syndrome
- Cryptorchidism and defects of testis development (Twisted or strangulated testes)
- Orchitis (Inflammation of the testes resulting in permanent damage)
- Orchidectomy (surgical removal of the testes)
- Toxin exposure (radiation, chemotherapy or radiotherapy, domestic, industrial or environmental poisons)
- Kallmanns syndrome (a genetic disorder)
- Other genetic causes
- Pituitary gland tumour and treatment (surgery and/or irradiation)
- Haemochromatosis (Blood iron disorder)
- Craniopharyngioma (benign tumour of the brain)
- Acute critical illness, burns, major trauma or surgery
- Drug use (eg, opiates, glucocorticoids, anabolic steroids)
- Chronic disease and its treatment
- Alcohol abuse
- Smoking
- Ageing
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) aims to restore circulating testosterone concentration to normal in men with all degrees of hypogonadism.
TRT is highly effective in restoration of blood testosterone levels to the normal ranges and safely and effectively resolves all symptoms associated with testosterone deficiency.
The use of testosterone in the management in middle aged and older men who exhibit symptoms associated with lowered testosterone levels, but do not have testicular or brain disorders which contribute to their testosterone deficiency is one of the most rapidly expanding areas of medical practice.
It is the Androgen Deficient Ageing Male (ADAM) or late-onset hypogonadal male that is the largest underdiagnosed group of all testosterone deficient individuals.
Symptoms are often non-specific, can be confounded by pre-existing medical conditions (obesity, chronic illness) and include lethargy, sleep disturbances, loss of libido, irritability, anxiety, reduced concentration and depressed mood.
This individual will usually have a testosterone blood test that is at the bottom end of the normal range.
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