What is low testosterone?
Testosterone is an essential male hormone produced in the testes that plays a crucial role in the health and well-being of our bodies. Testosterone is responsible for typical male sexual characteristics and is required by all men for a healthy life physically and psychologically. Figure 1 shows the different actions of testosterone in an adult male.
Low testosterone (the medical term is hypogonadism) simply means having a very low testosterone level. It happens when the testes do not function normally or when internal hormone production is out of balance. Low testosterone can occur in men of any age. However, there is a progressive decline in testosterone levels as men age.
Although not a common condition, it is hard to say exactly how many men have low testosterone. Doctors believe that 5 in 1,000 men are living with some form of hypogonadism. The number of men with low testosterone increases with age and as many as 1 in 5 European men over the age of 50 have moderate or severe symptoms of testosterone deficiency.
Talking to your doctor
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Figure 1: Effects of testosterone
Figure: Effects of testosterone
Figure 1: Effects of testosterone
Signs & symptoms
The benefits of testosterone replacement on sexual function, fat and lean body mass and bone density in men with low testosterone are clear. The potential benefits of testosterone replacement in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and diabetes are still being investigated.
Blood
- Prevents anaemia
Sexual
- Controls sexual function (sex drive, erectile function, orgasm)
- Reduces lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)
Psychological
- Improves mood, energy, wellbeing and quality of life
- Prevents depression
Physical symptoms
- Increases muscle mass
- Increases strength
- Decreases overall body fat mass
- Decreases belly (visceral) fat mass
- Increases bone mineral density
