Male hypogonadism Symptoms & causes

Male hypogonadism Symptoms & causes

In one study, 30% of men who were overweight had low testosterone, compared to only 6% of those with weight in the normal range. In another study, 25% of men with Type 2 diabetes had low testosterone, compared to 13% of those without diabetes. Data suggest that about 2% of men may have low testosterone.

Your provider will test your blood level of testosterone if you have signs or symptoms of hypogonadism. Because testosterone levels vary and are generally highest in the morning, blood testing is usually done early in the day, before 10 a.m., possibly on more than one day. Your hypothalamus releases gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which triggers your pituitary gland to release luteinizing hormone (LH).

LOH and low testosterone are more common in men who have Type 2 diabetes, overweight and/or obesity. Symptoms of low testosterone can vary considerably, particularly by age. Make a gift to our 2025 Drive to Cure Cancer and transform the way cancer is treated and defeated.

Finding the cause of hypogonadism is an important first step to getting appropriate treatment. Low testosterone (male hypogonadism) is a condition in which your testicles don’t produce enough testosterone (the male sex hormone). More specifically, the Leydig cells in your testicles make testosterone. You can be born with male hypogonadism, or it can develop later in life, often from injury or infection. The effects — and what you can do about them — depend on the cause and at what point in your life male hypogonadism occurs. Some types of male hypogonadism can be treated with testosterone replacement therapy. For congenital hypogonadism, testosterone replacement therapy often helps prevent problems related to delayed puberty.

For older adults who have low testosterone and symptoms of hypogonadism due to aging, it’s less clear how well testosterone replacement works. Causes of primary and secondary hypogonadism are also divided into either congenital (at birth) or acquired (developed later in childhood or adulthood). It stimulates the development of male characteristics and is essential for sperm production (spermatogenesis). Levels of testosterone are naturally much higher in men than women. There’s often no way to help men with primary hypogonadism make sperm. But there are ways to help couples who haven’t been able to have children.

However, consistent hormone replacement therapy helps improve sex drive, ease symptoms of depression and increase energy levels for those experiencing low testosterone. Sometimes in primary hypogonadism testosterone levels are within the normal range and gonadotropins are high. Your specialist will help you understand if you need treatment, even with normal testosterone levels. Anyone taking testosterone replacement should have a medical checkup and blood tests several times during the first year of treatment and yearly after that. This is to see how well the treatment works and to watch for side effects.

Any issue with your testicles, hypothalamus or pituitary gland can cause low testosterone (male hypogonadism). Treatment of delayed puberty in boys depends on the cause. Three to six months of testosterone deficiency icd 10 shots can help start puberty. The testosterone can help increase muscle mass, beard and pubic hair growth, and growth of the penis. This treatment is given only if the bones have matured enough. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved one oral testosterone replacement, testosterone undecanoate (Jatenzo, Tlando, Kyzatrex). The lymph system absorbs it, so it might not cause the liver problems seen with other oral forms of testosterone.

A pituitary tumor may need treatment with surgery, medicine, radiation or replacement of other hormones. Early detection in boys can help prevent problems from delayed puberty. Early diagnosis and treatment in men offer better protection against osteoporosis and other related conditions. Cleveland Clinic’s experts can help balance your hormones.