What is Low Testosterone?

What is low testosterone? Low testosterone is a condition in which the individual no longer produces enough testosterone to meet his body's needs. The testosterone hormone is the primary male androgen or sex hormone, and it is essential to the health and wellbeing of every man. Women can also suffer from low testosterone, they require the hormone, but low testosterone is a condition that is primarily associated with the male sex.

Understanding Low Testosterone:

What is low testosterone, why is it a condition we should avoid? The testosterone hormone plays numerous roles throughout the body. This primary androgen affects our physical and sexual wellbeing, and it even affects our mental function. When testosterone levels fall, this can cause each and every one of those areas to falter. While the negative results can become pronounced rapidly due to bodily injury, in most cases the effects of low testosterone are gradual and build overtime. Age itself is the primary cause of low testosterone; as we age our natural production slowly declines. For many men, as the years go by their levels slowly dip and the associated symptoms gradually appear. Unfortunately, this can cause many men to become unknowingly accustomed to the condition and impending symptoms, and as a result their quality of life is severely and unnecessarily diminished. What is low testosterone? It is a condition that will severally hamper your quality of life, but it is also a condition you do not have to live with.

Types of Low Testosterone:

There are generally two types of low testosterone, Primary Hypogonadism and Secondary Hypogonadism. Primary hypogonadism patients will normally display normal to even high levels of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). Both LH and FSH are pituitary derived hormones that signal to the testicles to produce testosterone. Despite producing adequate amounts of LH and FSH, if total testosterone levels are low the diagnosis is primary hypogonadism. Secondary hypogonadism simply refers to a low total testosterone reading along with low levels of LH and FSH output. When a patient is examined, his total levels along with the pituitary hormone output must be taken into consideration in order to accurately treat the individual.

Understanding Total Testosterone:

The total testosterone reading represents the total amount of testosterone circulating the body. However, when asking this important question "what is low testosterone" if the total reading is all that's examined the question cannot be accurately answered. Testosterone is measured in both total and free ranges. Total represents the total amount, whereas free testosterone represents the amount of testosterone that is actually usable by the body. The majority of circulating testosterone is bound by Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG), and as a result is unusable by the body. The testosterone that is not bound by SHBG is what the body can actually use and represents the smaller number in the total figure. Unfortunately, some physicians will only check total levels, and if their patient has low free levels they will be left to suffer from low testosterone. If we're going to answer this important question, what is low testosterone, when examining symptoms and treatment options the relationship between free and total levels must be taken into consideration.

What is Andropause?

Andropause simply refers to an androgen deficiency in older men, primarily low testosterone, but it may also include declines in the production of other androgens. It is commonly referred to as late onset hypogonadism. It is estimated that in the U.S. alone more than 20 million men suffer from Andropause or a related low testosterone condition. In many ways, Andropause is simply the male version of menopause, and as with menopause it can damage the physical and emotional wellbeing of the individual. Fortunately, it is extremely easy to treat.

Low Testosterone Symptoms:

What is low testosterone, what are the symptoms and what does it mean for the individual who suffers from the condition? There are numerous low testosterone symptoms that range from physical, sexual and mentally related. Most men will only display two or three at the early stages, and in some cases, the effects won't be strong. However, when ignored the condition will gradually become enhanced, the existing symptoms will become stronger and more symptoms will begin to show. While low testosterone is not directly life threatening, if ignored it is a condition that can contribute to serious ailments that can be life threatening. Fortunately treatment is simple and there's no reason to reach this state. If you display any of the symptoms of low testosterone you are encouraged to seek out therapy. The primary symptoms of low testosterone include:

- Loss of Libido - may refer to a partial or total loss

- Erectile Dysfunction - may refer to the inability to maintain or obtain an erection

- Loss of Muscle Mass - can occur despite proper diet & exercise

- Loss of Strength - can occur despite proper diet & exercise

- Increased Body Fat - can occur despite proper diet & exercise

- Inability to Lose Body Fat - despite proper diet & exercise

• Loss of Bone Density & Strength
• High Cholesterol
• Loss of Body Hair
• Loss of Energy
• Insomnia
• Lethargy
• Irritability
• Loss of Mental Clarity and/or Focus
• A Weakened Immune System
• Depression

What is low testosterone? In simple terms it is the aforementioned symptoms and if ignored suffering from numerous to even all the symptoms on the list is more than possible. If ignored, the condition can open the door in a gateway sense increasing the individual's risk of osteoporosis, diabetes, heart disease and even Alzheimer's disease among other possible issues.

What Causes Low Testosterone?

What is low testosterone, what causes the condition? There are several things that can lead to or promote a low testosterone condition. Age is the primary cause of low testosterone. As we age, our natural testosterone levels fall. Most men begin to slowly decline in their 30's and experience rapid declines in their 40's and 50's. While its become accepted that many men 40 and over need testosterone therapy, many men in their 30's need treatment. Low testosterone can occur at any age, and by age 30 it's not a bad idea to keep an eye on your levels. Beyond age, low testosterone can also be promoted by the following:

• Alcoholism
• Autoimmune Disorders
• Chemotherapy or Radiation
• Chronic Illness
• Excessive Stress
• Hemochromatosis (High Iron)
• Inflammatory Diseases
• Klinefelter's Syndrome (extra 'X' chromosome)
• Kidney Disease (problems, failure or any issue)
• Liver Disease
• Medications:
  
  - Blood Pressure Medications: Atenolol
  - Cholesterol Medications: Crestor, Lipitor, etc.
  - Sleep Aids: Ambien, Lunesta, etc.
  - Muscle Relaxers: Flexeril, Soma, etc.
  - Antidepresents: Cymbalta, Pazil, Zoloft, etc.
  - Opiates: Oxycodone, Lortab, Percocet, etc.
  - OTC Meds: Benadryl, Claritin, Antihistamines, Antacids, etc.
  - Misc: Clonopin, Valium, Xanax, Suboxone
  - Anabolic Steroids: Testosterone, Nandrolone, Trenbolone, etc.
  
  
• Nutrient Deficiency
• Obesity
• Rapid Weight Loss
• Recurrent Bleeding
• Testicular Injury or Loss of Testicle(s)
• Trauma
• Tumors
• Viral Infections

While all the aforementioned effects and issues can cause low testosterone, age itself remains the primary cause. The above list may not affect you in any way, but age is something you cannot escape. In the end, all that truly matters are your symptoms. We've explained what may cause a low testosterone condition, but regardless of those factors the symptoms you display are the most important aspect.

What Does Low Testosterone Mean - Long-Term?

What is low testosterone in a long-term sense? What does it mean for the individual regarding therapy and treatment? If you suffer from low testosterone, this is a very easy condition to remedy, but in most cases, it will require indefinite therapy. Once you suffer from low testosterone, once your natural production is low it will normally remain low without therapy. There are exceptions to this rule, especially for younger men who may be able to reset their Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Testicular-Axis (HPTA), but most men will not fall into this category.

Although continuous testosterone therapy may sound annoying, keep in mind therapy itself is simple, painless and takes very little of your time. It's also important to remember it is your testosterone therapy that keeps you from the low level symptoms. When asking this question, what is low testosterone, the most important question may actually be "would you rather treat or suffer from low testosterone?" This shouldn't be a difficult question to answer.

What is Andropause?

What is Low T?

Low Testosterone Levels

Testing for Low Testosterone Levels

Low Testosterone in Women