Androgen Deficiency (Low Testosterone)

What is Testosterone?

Testosterone is the most important male sex hormone in men and it is required for regular reproductive and sexual function. Testosterone is plays a key role in masculine growth and development during puberty, and for the features typical of adult men such as facial and body hair.

What is Androgen Deficiency?

Androgen, or testosterone, deficiency is when the body is not capable to make enough testosterone for the body to function usually although not a life-threatening problem; androgen deficiency can affect your value of life.

What are the symptoms of Androgen Deficiency?

The effects of low testosterone depend on the reason and at what point in your life male hypogonadism occur.

When it occurs in adult men, the signs and symptoms may include:

•Erectile dysfunction
•Infertility
•reduce in beard and body hair growth
•reduce in muscle mass
•Development of breast tissue (gynaecomastia)
•Loss of bone mass (osteoporosis)

Hypogonadism can also reason mental and emotional changes. As testosterone decrease, some men may experience symptoms similar to those of menopause in women. These may include:
•Fatigue
•decrease sex drive
•Difficulty concentrating
•Hot flashes

How do you diagnose Androgen Deficiency?

The doctor will ask questions and perform a physical examination to assess for the symptoms and signs of low testosterone and work out what it may be cause by.

Two separate blood tests taken on different days are necessary to confirm low testosterone levels. A diagnosis of androgen deficiency is only confirmed when blood tests show a lower than normal testosterone level.

What are the treatment options?

Androgen deficiency is treated with testosterone replacement to give testosterone in doses that return the body testosterone levels to usual. it works very well for men with confirmed androgen deficiency. Once started, testosterone therapy is usually continued for life and needs to be checked regularly by a doctor.