What are the Causes of Testosterone Deficiency?

Introduction: The Stats on Testosterone Deficiency

Male health clinical associations and research centers report that male testosterone levels decline at varying degrees in men. About 30% of men over the age of 50, have a hormonal level that is lower than what is considered in regular ranges. It is reported that nearly 5 million American men have low levels of testosterone hormones, which is necessary for muscle mass, bone strength, sperm production, regulates fat distribution, increases the production of red blood cells, and improves male sex drive. Male testosterone hormones can even improve mood changes, memory capabilities, and energy levels.

Hypogonadism Deficiency

Testosterone deficiency is also known as “hypogonadism,” which means that testes aren't producing enough hormones. There are two types of hypogonadism:

• Primary: This category of hormonal irregularity originates from a problem in testicles.
• Secondary: This type of testosterone hypogonadism indicates a problem in the hypothalamus parts of the brain that stimulates testicles to produce testosterone.

The hypothalamus gland releases gonadotropin hormones, which triggers the pituitary glands to make FSH or follicle stimulating hormone and LH ("luteinizing hormones"). Luteinizing hormones then signals the testicles to produce hormonal cells. Both primary and secondary hypogonadism may be triggered by a congenital trait, including an injury or an infection. Both of these deficiencies can happen at the same time.

Causes of Primary Hypogonadism  

• Testicle Injury: Any injuries to the testes can come from a variety of causes because of their physical location, which is outside of the abdomen. Damage or injury to both testicles can impair testosterone hormonal production, but if an injury occurred to just one, then there is no danger of sperm or hormonal production.
  
• Klinefelter syndrome: The Klinefelter condition stems from a congenital abnormality of the X and Y sex chromosomes. Men generally has one X and one Y chromosome, but in the Klinefelter syndrome, two or more X chromosomes are present, as well as one Y chromosome. The Y chromosome contains the genetic material that determines the sex of a child and its development. The extra X chromosome in this syndrome causes abnormal development of the testicles, which results in the underproduction of testosterone.
  
• Undescended testicles: Prior to birth, the developing testes are inside the abdomen and then they begin to move down into their permanent place in the scrotum. Sometimes one or both of the male testicles may not descended at birth. This premature condition can correct itself, within the first few years of life without any treatment. However, if it does not corrected itself normally, then it can cause a malfunction of the testicles and lessens production of hormonal testosterone cells.
  
• Mumps orchitis: When there is a mumps infection around the testicles, as well as to the salivary glands during adolescence or even in adulthood, then long term testicular damage may happen. Mumps orchitis conditions will affect regular testicular functions and testosterone production.
  
• Hemochromatosis: This condition becomes evident when there is too much iron in the blood. This causes testes dysfunctions, which affects testosterone productive cells.
  
• Cancer treatments: Chemotherapy or radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer will interfere with testosterone and sperm production. The effects of these cancer treatments can be temporary, but permanent infertility may occur.
  
  
  

Causes for Secondary Hypogonadism

Many different conditions can cause secondary hypogonadism, some including:

• Kallmann syndrome: Abnormal genetic condition of the hypothalamus, which is part of the brain that controls pituitary hormonal secretions. It is also associated with impaired development of the ability to smell (“anosmia”) and red-green color blindness.
  
• Pituitary disorders: A pituitary tumor or a brain tumor that is located near the pituitary gland may cause hormonal deficiency and the loss of testosterone cells. Surgery as a treatment for these disorders or radiation therapy can cause glandular dysfunctions, as well as hypogonadism.
  
• Inflammatory disease: Inflammatory diseases, like sarcoidosis, histiocytosis and tuberculosis, affects the hypothalamus gland, as well as and pituitary gland, which in turn has a major impact on testosterone production, causing deficiencies.
  
• HIV/AIDS: HIV/AIDS can cause low levels of testosterone cells by affecting the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland and the testes.
  
• Medications: Certain drugs that contain some form of opiate and some hormones, can have a negative affect on testosterone production.
  
• Obesity: Obesity is never good, especially around the mid section. Being overweight at any age can and has been linked to hormonal deficiencies or hypogonadism.
  
• Aging: Older men (over age 50) generally experience lower testosterone levels, because as men age there's a slowing down process and a gradual decrease in testosterone cells.

Lifestyle Causes

Lifestyle habits can also cause testosterone deficiencies, such as:

• Stress: when stress is part of your lifestyle, the human body goes through various changes, such as the release of hormones like cortisol and epinephrine or adrenaline. These hormones have a negative effect on the male hormone and if stress is not controlled, it will cause low libido and testosterone deficiency.
  
• Alcoholism: an over consumption of alcoholism has been proven to have a negative impact on testostermone hormonal levels. For instance, beer contains plant estrogens that is toxic to the male testes system.
  
• Chemicals: chemicals are a key factor in age related decrease of male testosterone production. Phthalates are chemicals that are found in everyday food wrappers and water bottles. Air fresheners are also a source of change in hormonal cells. Phthalates for all men is a study that is continuing in the clinical research community because of its link to altering or interfering with hormonal metabolism leading to low male hormone levels.

Conclusion

Due to age and other conditions, men throughout the world experience decreased testosterone levels. Symptoms are evident in decreased sex drive, ED, loss of muscle mass, fatigue, and mood swings. Men should seek help from their physicians who have many different treatments for male hormonal deficiencies. Treatments can improve some symptoms that have exhibited themselves, such as pubic and facial hair loss, a deep voice, and loss of a sex drive. Doctors are better informed about testosterone deficiency and can provide help that many men deserve.