Low T, also named male hypogonadism, is a medical condition in which the testicles don’t produce enough (less than 300 ng/dL) of an essential men’s sex hormone called testosterone. Testosterone is the primary androgen that plays a significant role in puberty, fertility, and sexual desire.
Testosterone is produced in both males and females. However, their level is higher in people assigned male at birth. This testosterone level in men peaks by early adulthood – and then begins to drop 1 to 2% a year in the 40s.
Let’s talk about some common things you should know about low T and where you can go for the treatment of low T in Phoenix, AZ.
Low T Symptoms Vary by Age
Low T can affect people with testicles at any age from birth through adulthood – and the symptoms of low T also vary at each age.
Symptoms of low T in adults may include:
- Reduced sex drive
- Erectile dysfunction
- Hot flashes
- Low or zero sperm count
- Shrinking of testicles
- Loss of armpit hair and pubic hair
- Enlarged breasts
- Decrease in muscle mass and strength
- Depressed mood
While the symptoms of low T in children before or during puberty include:
- Reduced development of pubic hair
- Reduced growth of penis and testicles
- Slow growth in height (out-of-proportion growth of legs and arms with the rest of the body)
- Lower strength and endurance compared to children of the same age
- Less voice deepening
Low T or Male Hypogonadism Have Two Types
Male hypogonadism can be of two types: primary hypogonadism and secondary hypogonadism. Primary hypogonadism occurs when there is a problem with testicles that don’t allow them to make a normal level of testosterone hormone, while secondary hypogonadism occurs due to pituitary or hypothalamus dysfunction.
Both primary and secondary hypogonadism can either occur at birth or develop later in childhood or adulthood.
Testosterone Level Can Be Increased
There are many ways to treat male hypogonadism (increase testosterone level), including lifestyle changes such as exercise and losing weight and testosterone replacement therapy.
Testosterone replacement therapy bringsyour body back to a healthy range for testosterone– and the replaced testosterone begins to reverse the symptoms of low T.
Testosterone replacement therapy comes in different forms, including gel, injections, patches, pellets, buccal tablets, and nasal gels.
Low T Treatment in Phoenix, AZ
If you often feel tired, find your sex drive to be low, and have trouble concentrating and seek a lasting solution, look no further than our urologist and men’s health expert Dr. Avila at Ironwood Urology. Our highly skilled and trained men’s health expert has years of experience in treating a full range of men’s health conditions, including hypogonadism and low T.
If you would like to make an appointment with us, call today at (480) 961-2323 or request one online.
