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Low Androgen
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Low Androgen Levels in Men
Androgens are the hormones, which are responsible for masculinity in Males. Signs of Masculinity are; Muscular appearance, strong bones, deep voice, male distribution of hair and proper development of penis and testis. The main androgen in males is called testosterone.
Functions
1. Improve Sexual Health
Those individuals who have low testosterone experience diminished sex drive and libido. They remain alone most of the time and have less interest in sexual relations.
2. Fertility
Sperm production is maintained by testosterone. Low level of testosterone may cause infertility and impotence in males.
3. Hair Distribution
Facial distribution of Hair is stimulated by testosterone.
4. Deeper voice
People with low testosterone level have low pitched (girly) voice.
5. Growth Promotion
Testosterone is an anabolic hormone which stimulates protein synthesis.
Normal Testosterone
Testosterone usually measured with a simple blood test. Most healthy adult men have testosterone levels between 270 and 1,070 nano-grams per deciliter (ng/dL). 300 ng/dL is usually regarded as the threshold for the low testosterone diagnosis.
Cause of Low testosterone
1. Aging
It is a normal physiological cause of testosterone decline. Testosterone level starts decreasing after the age of 30.
2. Increased Body Weight
Some of the testosterone is converted into estrogens. Estrogens are the hormones which impart feminine characteristics. Most of the testosterone is converted into estrogens in adipose (fat) tissue. Hence, obese people who have more adipose tissue have increased level of estrogens in their blood circulation and a relative decrease in their Testosterone.
3. Trauma to Testicles or Scrotum
Testis is the site of testosterone production. Any injury to testicle will result in lower level of testosterone in blood. Normal man has two testicles. Injury of one of the two testicles won'’t affect the serum testosterone level. Because after sometime normal testis starts producing increased amount of testosterone.
4. Exogenous Androgens
Exogenous Androgen suppresses the growth of testosterone. In androgen abuse testes shrink and may cause infertility. These testes can't produce normal amount of testosterone.
5. Cancer Therapy
Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy are aimed to kill cancer cells in our body however they also damage the cells in the testes that are responsible for the testosterone production. Sometimes, levels return to normal if the cells recover, but sometimes the damage is permanent.
6. Chronic Inflammatory diseases
Tuberculosis, Sarcoidosis and other chronic inflammatory diseases decreases the production of testosterone. Chronic inflammatory conditions also affect the hypothalamus function which controls sexual function.
7. Hemochromatosis
In hemochromatosis, blood iron level is high. Iron deposits in the body tissue and cause damage. Testes are also prone to such damage.
8. Chronic Liver and Kidney Diseases
Liver disease and kidney diseases also decrease the testosterone level.
9. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease
Those individual affected by Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease have lower level of testosterone.
Treatment
Testosterone Replacement Therapy:
Exogenous testosterone is given to eliminate the symptoms of low testosterone. Testosterone is available in three forms:
Injections
Gels or patches
Tablets