Many men with low testosterone do end up seeing many specialists from different fields as the manifestations of androgen deficiency can be seen in many areas of the body. They commonly manifest the following symptoms or conditions:
- low energy level
- fatigue and mental fogginess
- irritability
- anxiety
- decreased muscle mass
- infertility
- problems with erection
- low libido and sexual interest
- hair loss
- loss of bone mass
- breast swelling (gynecomastia)
If there is a sudden drop in testosterone levels, the causes would include the following:
- physical injury to the testicles.
- mumps infection affecting the testicles.
- cancer treatments – chemotherapy and radiation can affect the testicles.
- pituitary disorders caused by medications, kidney failure or tumours.
- obesity – as high body fat can affect the production of male hormones.
- medications like opioid pain medicines and steroids - they can affect the function of pituitary gland and hypothalamus.
At the clinic, it is sometimes challenging to tell if the patient has low testosterone or is suffering from depression. People who have depression but have normal hormone levels generally do not experience breast swelling and decreased muscle mass and strength that are associated with low testosterone. A blood test may help. For many patients, both depression and low testosterone level need to be monitored and treated.
Male hypogonadism usually is treated with testosterone replacement to return testosterone levels to normal. Testosterone can help counter the signs and symptoms of male hypogonadism, such as decreased sexual desire, decreased energy, decreased facial and body hair, and loss of muscle mass and bone density.
However, for older men who have low testosterone and signs and symptoms of hypogonadism due to ageing, the benefits of testosterone replacement are less clear.
