There Are Three Categories Of Men With Low T
Most men probably know that testosterone is important for muscular
growth, and has a role in sexual health. They may not know that low T can
be secondary to dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, which is
responsible for the production of gonadotropins. When LHRH is released from
the hypothalamus, the pituitary releases LH, and this signals the testicles to
produce testosterone. Dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis is known
as secondary hypogonadism. Men with completely normal testicles may
have inadequate production of testosterone because of diseases of either the
hypothalamus or pituitary (brain structures.) In fact, low T can be the first
sign of such a condition.
Hypothalamic-pituitary disease is relatively rare, but it would be a terrible
mistake to blindly give a patient testosterone if his underlying condition was
a pituitary tumor.
When men have low T because of testicular dysfunction, the body tries to
compensate by increasing LH, and FSH. That is a normal response that is expected
In patients with testicular failure and is known as primary hypogonadism.
Frequently, as men age, their testicles produce a smaller volume of T, and the
hypothalamic-pituitary axis fails to respond as expected. This is termed
adult onset hypogonadism.
Symptoms Of Low T: Yikes!
- Reduced sexual desire
- Reduced energy
- Reduced motivation
- Erectile dysfunction
- Reduced physical performance
- Anemia
- Osteoporosis
- Increased BMI
- Depression,
- Obesity
- Poor concentration
- Sleep abnormalities
- Height loss
- Poor concentration
Correcting Low T: Proceed With Caution!
While low T can be problematic, there are also dangers associated
with testosterone replacement therapy. That’s why you don’t
want to be getting your testosterone managed by the guy in the
locker room at the gym. Specific patients who should not receive
testosterone replacement include:
1) Patients with elevated hematocrit.
2) Patients with untreated prostate cancer.
3) Men with sleep apnea.
4) Men with cardiac failure.