What Is Low T and What Causes It? | Tennessee Valley Urology Center

Testosterone deficiency syndrome, more commonly called Low T, is a condition in which the body doesn’t produce enough of an important hormone that helps regulate bone and muscle mass, libido, and even red blood cell production.

What Causes Testosterone Deficiency?

Low T is a result of hypogonadism, which can be a lifelong condition but is more common as men age. In addition to decreasing the body’s abilities to regulate those functions mentioned above, it can also lead to a lack of energy, decreased sex drive, depression, infertility, ED and even gynecomastia, the development of breast tissue by a man.

There are two types of hypogonadism: primary, which is an issue with the testicles often caused by injury or infection, and secondary, which is the result of a lack of signals to the testicles to produce testosterone.

The latter of those relates to issues in the hypothalamus or pituitary gland, both of which play important roles in the production and regulation of hormones throughout our lives.

Can I Prevent Low T?

While there’s no foolproof way to prevent the condition, there are some good-health practices that may help reduce your risk of developing hypogonadism that is not congenital. That’s because they’re tied to reducing the risk of other issues that can increase your risk for hypogonadism. Those risk reducers include:

  • Eating a healthy diet, which can help prevent both malnutrition and obesity

  • Discussing medications, including OTC supplements and medicines, with your doctor. Some can cause or contribute to hypogonadism.

  • Exercising regularly, which can help prevent or reverse obesity, a major underlying condition in many others, including hypogonadism

  • Practicing safe sex, which can reduce your risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. Those conditions are identified as risk factors for hypogonadism that causes Low T.

  • Quitting smoking or tobacco use, which can reduce your risk of some cancers. Chemotherapy treatments may cause or exacerbate hypogonadism.

If you’ve been diagnosed with testosterone deficiency syndrome or think you may have it, schedule an appointment with Tennessee Valley Urology Center to discuss diagnosis and treatment options.