Causes of Low Testosterone

There are many causes of low testosterone you can be exposed to that can interfere with your quality of life like fatigue, depression, and impotence.

Some of these causes are more obvious than others.

You should be aware of all the factors that may effect your well-being; from dietary, exercise, hormonal, to cognitive factors.

Your testosterone levels may be impaired by the following.

Causes of Low Testosterone

1. Age.
2. Acquired brain injury.
3. Testicular damage.
4. Vasectomy.
5. Medications (prescription and recreational).

How Age Influences Testosterone

Hypogonadism is a condition that generally creeps up on you like a frog in gradually warming water. As you age, your body breaks down, and things tend to not work as they used to including the parts responsible for producing testosterone.

Low Testosterone Levels and Age

Age Average
Male
Testosterone
Level

15-24 750 ng/dl

25-34 700 ng/dl

35-44 650 ng/dl

45-54 600 ng/dl

55-64 550 ng/dl

65-74 500 ng/dl

75-84 450 ng/dl

85-99 400 ng/dl

Acquired Brain Injuries

Low testosterone may develop as a result of a brain injury through a; blow to the head, stroke, heart attack, or general loss of oxygen.

At the top of the testosterone producing machinery is the brain. A system called the HPTA (Hypothalamic Pituitary Gonadal Axis), works as a feedback look to control the ebb and flow of testosterone throughout the day. If any part of this system is damaged or destroyed then testosterone production may suffer.

In your brain, two organs called the pituitary gland and hypothalamus tell your testicles to make more testosterone. More correctly, the hypothalamus signals the pituitary and your pituitary signals your testicles.

Testicular Injury

Down the HPTA stream, damage to your testicles is one of the major causes of low testosterone. Since your testicles are the actual structures involved in producing testosterone you can understand how important they are! Guard them carefully… even though you get a pair… you definitely want both in working order!

Vasectomies

Something that most doctors aren’t aware of is that vasectomies can cause low testosterone. Although it doesn’t happen to a majority of men who have undergone this procedure, it’s a side effect that should not go unnoticed. This side effect occurs through an autoimmune reaction (attacks your body). Your immune system tries to destroy your testicular cells, with the result being low testosterone.

Since your sperm are considered wasteful material after a vasectomy, they are treated like foreign invaders by your body. The reason why your testosterone production is halted is due to their close proximity to the sperm making cells of your testicles. Your body attacks everything in that area resulting in their damage.

Just so that you are aware, this lowering of testosterone side effect only happens to a minority of men that get vasectomies. However, you should keep an eye on the symptoms of low testosterone should these problems occur.

Medications

There are three general ways drugs can lower testosterone.

1. Effecting your nerves.
2. Effecting the vascular system.
3. Endocrine disruption.

The biggest offenders are;

1. Anti-hypertensives aka blood pressure medications (Inderal, Clonidine, Reserpine, Lasix, etc...)
2. Antidepressants (SSRI's, tricyclics, MAOi's, etc...)
3. Tranquilizers (Haldol, Thorazine, Zyprexa, Seroquel, etc...)
4. Anticholinergics (Benadryl, Donnatal, Pro-Banthine, Cogentin, etc...)

If you think one or more of your medications are causing low testosterone, then a consultation with your doctor may be in order. Your doctor may be able to switch you to a different medication(s) that is more test friendly, or be able to prescribe test replacement to get you to therapeutic levels.

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