In an age where gender roles seem more fluid among the society, one of the biological markers of maleness — the hormone testosterone — appears to be ebbing where it should be at its zenith. Specifically, testosterone levels are declining in some young men, i.e. late teenagers and twenty-somethings. As will be demonstrated, there are myriad reasons for this phenomenon. At the same time, hope springs eternal and therapies are available to improve or even reverse this condition. What does testosterone do? Why is it lowering in the bodies of otherwise healthy young men? How does a man recover healthy levels of this hormone.
How Does Testosterone Function?
As the primary male hormone — the major chemical messenger in men — testosterone performs a number of tasks:
- Stimulates growth and development in the male reproductive organs, that is the penis and the testes.
- Deepens the pitch of the voice.
- Promotes the growth of facial hair; in some cases can cause premature baldness on top.
- Increases strength and dimensions of muscles.
- Strengthens bone density and adds to bone size.
- Generates and stimulates drive.
- Generates spermatogenesis in the male testicles. This means that sperm cells are created here.
Yet this hormone’s functions are impaired when there is a surplus or a deficit. Too much testosterone can lead to cardiovascular damage, enlarged prostate, liver problems, overweight, high blood pressure and, yes, low sperm counts. On the other hand, insufficient testosterone yields less muscle mass, more mammary fat, sterility, depression and brittle bones, among other manifestations.
Testosterone Levels throughout Male Life
Medical professionals are taught that normal testosterone levels in men ranges between 300 and 1,000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). Where a man’s levels may be in that spectrum is contingent upon age, overall health and any regular medications he takes. As a man grows older, typically, testosterone production begins to lessen. In fact, the adolescent years normally see maximum testosterone production in males. So low levels in young men should set off some alarms, minor or major, particular to the individual. These facts beg the question of why young men are subject to low testosterone levels.
Causes of Low T in Young Males
There are many variables that may result in a weak testosterone presence in a demographic where it should be the strongest. They can be organic, i.e. come from an internal condition, or they can be environmental. Hypogonadism is a disorder that is present from birth or afflicts a boy or man in subsequent years. It occurs when the body produces an inadequate supply of testosterone. Whether the lack is in the testicles (primary hypogonadism) or in the pituitary gland (secondary hypogonadism), the dearth of the hormone — or sperm — the complications can be many and varied.
Primary hypogonadism sometimes is the consequence of Klinefelter Syndrome, a condition where the male has an extra x chromosome. This additional chromosome leads to warped testicular development thereby causing low testosterone production. Another contributing congenital condition is when the testicles fail to descend. Sometimes this problem resolves itself in infancy or toddlerhood. In other instances, surgery can help re-position the testes. Meanwhile, secondary hypogonadism is often the fruit of excess iron in the blood that instigates a malfunction in the pituitary gland and difficulties in hormonal generation.
Several external events can cause lower testosterone production. Injuries to the testes are culprits for sure. Mumps infections are also implicated as is a host of inflammatory conditions. The genesis of many low T afflictions of young men is often obesity along with Type-2 diabetes. Beyond these, a number of medications can affect testosterone levels; likewise many illegal drugs.
Solutions for Low Testosterone among Young Men
Fortunately, medical science is not without resources in the fight against low levels of the male hormone. The root cause if the deficiency is key to treating it on a case by case basis. However, the most common treatments include:
1. Skin patch — that is changed once daily release modest amounts of the hormone through the pores of the epidermis.
2. Gels — likewise transmit testosterone through the skin and usually apply to the thighs, shoulders and upper arms.
3. Oral medications — are either swallowed whole or melt in a sublingual fashion inside the mouth.
4. Pellets — are sub-cutaneous (under the skin) implants that release testosterone around the hips and buttocks. They last about six months before requiring replacements.
5. Injections — are administrations by needle into the bloodstream every one to two weeks. Buyers can obtain them through local pharmacies or purchase testosterone injections online.
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) as exemplified above is designed to boost the levels of bloodstream testosterone for the androgen receptors to utilize. Frequently, on the other hand, young men can reverse low T through lifestyle changes in nutrition and activity level, particularly appropriate for those who are obese or have Type-2 diabetes. It is always best to discuss the condition with a trusted physician before embarking on TRT or any other method to increase this important hormone.
Conclusion
Young men have historically modeled energy, vigor and peak fitness. Afflicted with low testosterone, they fall short of this ideal image. The good news is that the medical profession has tools to bring the hormone levels to where they should be for this age.
