Do I have Low T?

Testosterone is a sex hormone in men produced primarily in the testes, and is responsible for men’s secondary sexual characteristics such as, facial, body and pubic hair, muscle development and voice deepening.

Testosterone is also what helps produce sperm cells, maintain bone health and sex drive.

A man may have low testosterone if he experiences:

A decreased sex drive;
Decreased testes size;
Depression;
Hot flashes;
Inability to concentrate;
Increased breast size;
Irritability;
Loss of body hair;
Loss of strength and weight gain;
Low sperm count; or
Poor or no erections.

Men could experience low testosterone for a variety of reasons. Lowered testosterone levels could be caused by aging, testicular injury, radiation or chemotherapy treatment, testicular cancer, certain genetic conditions and some medications, such as morphine and anabolic steroids. Chronic diseases, such as liver and kidney disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes and HIV/AIDS can also cause low testosterone.

To diagnose low testosterone, the following will be examined by a physician:

Body hair;
Penis, breasts and testes size;
Peripheral vision; and
Testes and scrotum for lumps.

A doctor may also request blood tests, bone density tests and MRI or CT scans to determine why a patient has low testosterone.

Depending on the cause of a patient’s low testosterone, hormone therapy is an available treatment option. Testosterone can be replaced with injections, implantable pellets, tablets, gels or patches. Hormone therapy may help improve sex drive, erections, mood and energy, body hair growth, muscle mass and bone density.

Additional information may be found at these websites:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/lowtestosterone/ur189104.pdf

http://www.hormone.org/questions-and-answers/2010/low-testosterone-and-mens-health

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003707.htm