What Can Cause Low Testosterone?

• by toff
• in Hormone Replacement Therapy, Mens Health, Testosterone
• on January 16, 2020

What causes low testosterone?

Low testosterone affects almost 40% of men aged 45 and older. It is difficult to define normal testosterone levels, because levels vary throughout the day and are affected by body mass index (BMI), nutrition, alcohol consumption, certain medications, age and illness.

As a man ages, the amount of testosterone in his body gradually drops. This natural decline starts after age 30 and continues (about 1% per year) throughout his life.

There are many other potential causes of low testosterone, including the following:

• Injury (trauma, interrupted blood supply to the testes) or infection of the testes (orchitis)
• Chemotherapy for cancer
• Metabolic disorders such as hemochromatosis (too much iron in the body)
• Dysfunction or tumors of the pituitary gland
• Medications, including opioids, hormones used to treat prostate cancer, and steroids (such as prednisone)
• Acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term) illness
• Alcohol abuse
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Chronic renal (kidney) failure
• HIV/AIDS
• Inflammatory conditions such as sarcoidosis (a condition that causes inflammation of the lungs and other organs)
• Kallman syndrome (abnormal development of the hypothalamus, a gland in the brain that controls many hormones)
• Klinefelter syndrome (a genetic condition in which a male is born with an extra copy of the X chromosome). Also called XXY syndrome
• High levels of the milk-producing hormone prolactin
• Obesity or extreme weight loss
• Uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus
• Congenital defect (present at birth)
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Aging
• Estrogen excess (usually from an external or environmental source)
• Previous anabolic steroid abuse
• Severe primary hypothyroidism
• Pubertal delay
• Trauma (head injury)
• Radiation exposure or prior surgery of the brain

The lowering of testosterone levels as a man ages is a natural occurrence, though as you read above there are many factors that can come into play. At Toff Your Health, we are here to get your testosterone to a healthy level and maintain it through weekly injections. Our medical directors have created a treatment plan that is safe and manageable for our patients. Our experienced staff is here to answer all of your questions. Our facilities have sports themed atmosphere to help our patients to feel comfortable while visiting the doctors office. Our appointment times are quick and as scheduled.

If you think you may be experiencing the affects of low testosterone and are interested in knowing your options for hormone replacement therapy call. us at 817-345-0303.

Information sited from Cleveland Clinic website (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15603-low-testosterone-male-hypogonadism)