The Causes of Low T in Men -

Low T is generally due to andropause and the body producing less testosterone. There are other causes of low t, however, why the body might be producing less testosterone than what it requires to perform all of its bodily functions optimally. Some of the causes of low testosterone include:

Causes of Low T, or Low Testosterone

LOW T CAUSED BY AGING

Low T Issues caused by Aging Testosterone levels peak in your late teenage years and decline at 1-2% each year after that. This process is very gradual and the body goes through different stages as it declines from its peak testosterone years. It is difficult to even say what an average testosterone level is at it differs from individual to individual. Most of the symptoms we discuss for men experiencing Low T typically start to present themselves in ones 40s and increase from there. Just because you are getting older does not mean you have Low T though as about 75% of older men have testosterone in the normal ranges.

LOW T CAUSED BY OBESITY

Men naturally convert testosterone to estrogen at different levels. Estrogen is a more essential hormone for females but it is also an important hormone for bone density as well as the balance against testosterone. Because testosterone is more typically transferred to estrogen in fat cells it is typical to find higher estrogen levels in overweight men. Being overweight will also cause more stress on the body which will reduce the ability to produce testosterone.

LOW T CAUSED BY PITUITARY ISSUES

Issues with the pituitary glands can cause they body to stop sending signals to the testicles telling it to produce testosterone. This is one phase of secondary hypogonadism.

LOW T ISSUES CAUSED BY INJURY

Injured testicles are frequently unable to produce testosterone at the levels they did when healthy. It is possible to maintain normal testosterone levels with one damaged testicle however.

LOW T CAUSED BY HYPOTHALAMUS ISSUES

Issues Over development of the hypothalamus or under development of the hypothalamus can cause the body to stop sending signals to the testicles telling it to produce testosterone. This is another condition of secondary hypogonadism.

LOW T ISSUES CAUSED BY CHEMOTHERAPY OR RADIATION

Chemotherapy can damage the testicular cells necessary to create testosterone. Typically, the issues may surface during treatment and return to normal when the cells recover after treatment, however, occasionally there is permanent damage.

LOW T ISSUES CAUSED BY STRESS

Stress on the body can be caused for many different reasons. When it does it stimulates the fight or flight condition in our bodies. This causes our body to store more fat and produce the stress hormone cortisol. An increase in cortisol will inhibit the testosterone production as it focuses our hormone production on immediate protection of the body.

LOW T ISSUES CAUSED BY MEDICATIONS

Pain killers like opiates such as morphine, oxycotin, and vicodin can create issues that restrict testosterone production.

LOW T ISSUES CAUSED BY INFLAMMATION

Diseases such as histiocytosis, tuberculosis, sarcoidosis and HIV affect the hypothalamus and pituitary glands due to inflammation and restrict communication between these glands and the testicles that stimulate the production of testosterone.

LOW T ISSUES CAUSED BY STEROID ABUSE

Anabolic steroids are used by body builders and high performance athletes to make them stronger and faster. Use of anabolic steroids in this manner is illegal. These performance enhancing drugs, used in excess, can cause testicle shrinkage and restrict the production of testosterone and sperm.

LOW T ISSUES CAUSED BY INFECTION

Testosterone levels can be reduced due to illness from infections including meningitis, syphilis or mumps.

LOW T ISSUES CAUSED BY HEAD TRAUMA & TUMORS

Head trauma, or tumors around these glands, can affect the hypothalamus or pituitary glands which then stop sending signals to the testicles to produce testosterone. This is called secondary hypogonadism.

LOW T ISSUES CAUSED BY HEMOCHROMATOSIS (too much or too little iron in the blood)

Low levels of red blood cells can lead to anemia. These levels affect both the testicles and pituitary glands and need to be kept in check.

There are many different reasons why someone may have low testosterone levels but they do not need to live with it. Contact us today to schedule a consultation to help get you back to feeling the way you remember. Allow Hormone Therapeutics testosterone therapy to help you live well and age well.

CONTACT HORMONE THERAPEUTICS FOR MORE INFO

Saleamp Design February 6th, 2015

Posted In: Low T Info

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