What Are the Causes of Low Testosterone in Men?

Testosterone production decreases naturally with age. According to urologychannel.com, by the age of 80, men may be down to as low as 20 percent of their peak production. There are several medical conditions that can cause testosterone deficiency (TD), as can risk factors such as obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Types

• According to urologychannel.com, the causes of TD are divided into three categories: primary, secondary and tertiary. Primary causes of TD involve issues of the testicles; secondary causes occur in the pituitary gland; and tertiary causes affect the hypothalamus. These are parts of the body that participate in the production of testosterone and are collectively called the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.

Congenital Disorders

• Congenital disorders are among the primary causes of TD. These include Klinefelter's Syndrome, a condition in which men develop feminized bodies because they have an extra X chromosome, as well as other hormonal disorders. Men who are born without testes (a condition called anorchism) and those whose testes do not descend into the scrotum (cryptorchidism) may also develop TD, according to urologychannel.com.

Acquired Conditions

• Conditions that occur after birth can also cause TD and can include removal of the testes and other conditions that affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Chemotherapy, radiation, surgical damage, glandular problems, head trauma, infections that affect the brain, testicular damage and tumors in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis can all lead to TD.

Effects

• The effects of TD vary according to the age at which the condition develops. Boys who develop the condition from birth may have underdeveloped genitals, while those who are struck with it during puberty will develop secondary sex characteristics such as impaired facial and pubic hair growth, and underdeveloped genitalia and musculature, according to urologychannel.com. Adults who develop TD might experience a loss of sexual desire, erectile dysfunction, loss of body hair, weakness, muscle loss and depression.

Resources

• Although millions of men are thought to suffer from TD, the Men's Health Network reports that only 5 percent seek treatment. The organization provides a questionnaire so men can help determine if they have symptoms that could indicate TD, and urologychannel.com offers a list of questions men can ask their doctor about TD.