Testosterone, the most important male sex hormone, is responsible for the body’s production and maintenance of masculine physical and psychological characteristics. The hormone, which originates in the testes, plays a key role in sex drive, aggression, muscle mass, bone density, facial and body hair, male sex organs and red blood cell production. A variety of illnesses and disorders can cause testosterone levels to drop below normal levels, a condition that is treatable with hormone replacement therapy.
Hypogonadism
Hypogonadism, a condition in which the sex glands--the testes in men--produce little or no hormones at all. This disorder can be either primary or central in nature, according to Medline Plus. Primary hypgonadism exists when the testes themselves are not functioning properly, while the central type of the disorder indicates that the centers in the brain that control the testes are malfunctioning. Both primary and central hypogonadism can be traced to other disorders, which may be treatable, allowing the sex glands to return to normal function. If that’s impossible, testosterone replacement therapy is another alternative mode of treatment. If you suspect that you may be suffering from some form of hypogonadism, consult with your doctor immediately.
Aging and Andropause
Blood levels of testosterone peak during late adolescence and early adulthood, after which a gradual decline in levels of the hormone begins, according to the Mayo Clinic. Some older men may have lower than normal serum testosterone without experiencing any adverse side effects. However, others may report changes in sleep patterns and sexual function, including desire; emotional changes; and physical changes, including an increase in body fat, reduced muscle mass and lower bone density. Such changes and other unwelcome symptoms are often associated with andropause, or male menopause, a condition experienced by roughly half of all men over the age of 50, according to Penn State University’s Hershey Medical Center. The use of testosterone replacement therapy for the treatment of age-related declines in hormone levels is somewhat controversial. If you believe you are experiencing a decline in testosterone related to aging, seek the advice of a medical professional.
Hypopituitarism
Hypopituitarism is a condition in which the pituitary gland is underactive, producing sharply reduced levels--or in the worst case scenario, none--of the hormones it normally produces. Because these hormones affect the function of the body’s other endocrine glands, the net effect of hypopituitarism depends on which hormones are being affected, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. If the pituitary’s production of gonadotropins is compromised, then the testes will produce abnormally low levels of testosterone. Treatment of this condition will depend on the root cause of the pituitary gland’s malfunction. Your doctor can refer you to an endocrinologist for treatment of hypopituitarism, which, if successful, may restore testosterone production to normal levels.
References
- National Institutes of Health: Low Testosterone Reference Summary
- Mayo Clinic: Men’s Health: Testosterone Therapy: Key to Male Vitality?
- Milton S. Hershey Medical Center: Health & Disease Information: A to Z Topics: Andropause
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Endocrinology Health Guide: Hypopituitarism
