Testosterone deficiency

Testosterone is an important sex hormone that occurs in both men and women and has different effects on sexual development, sexual behavior and muscle growth. In men, a sufficient testosterone level ensures sexual development and the onset of puberty. It is also responsible for sperm maturation and the development and maintenance of typical male body hair.

It is also discussed what psychological effect testosterone has on the body. A testosterone deficiency, also often referred to medically as testosterone deficiency syndrome, can thus affect a variety of different systems in the body. Depending on the severity of the deficiency, it can lead to very drastic or less severe symptoms.

A distinction must be made here between whether the testosterone deficiency occurs at a young age or in old age. Depending on the time of occurrence, the individual symptoms can vary. The therapy of a testosterone deficiency depends on the cause of the disease.

In some cases, the cause of the testosterone deficiency, if known, can be treated. A reduction of the risk factors that can lead to a testosterone deficiency can help to prevent it or to achieve a normalization of testosterone levels. Since testosterone is available as a drug, the prognosis is good if detected in time and a substitution therapy is started.

Symptoms

In general, a distinction must be made between an early testosterone deficiency and a testosterone deficiency in old age. The latter is usually a common occurrence in older men, but can also occur in women. In the case of a very early testosterone deficiency, it usually becomes noticeable at the beginning of puberty.

Since testosterone is responsible for the development of the sexual organs, as well as for the typical male body hair and for most other typical puberty symptoms, this development is disrupted when there is a predominant testosterone deficiency. A testosterone deficiency which sets in with an aging person is a common observation of medicine. Similar to the so-called menopause in women, a hormone deficiency sometimes occurs in men over 50.

This can manifest itself differently depending on the individual situation and the severity of the testosterone deficiency. Typical changes in a testosterone deficiency are conspicuous fatigue, loss of libido, loss of zest for life, as well as external symptoms such as declining beard growth or an increase in body fat, and the possible occurrence of psychological symptoms. Psychological symptoms include sleep disorders, an increased incidence of depressive illnesses and in some cases an enormous lack of concentration.

Since testosterone also plays an important role in maintaining the structure and building muscle, cartilage and bone mass, changes in the musculoskeletal system can occur. Typical symptoms are a reduced ability to build muscles, a reduction in existing muscle mass and low bone density (osteoporosis). It should be noted that not all symptoms may occur despite a testosterone deficiency, and additional complaints may be noticeable. Young men who have not reached puberty by the age of 15 should consult a doctor to rule out a testosterone deficiency. Men and women who show unspecific symptoms of a testosterone deficiency should also discuss their symptoms with a doctor so that he or she can check the blood values for a possible testosterone deficiency and initiate therapy if necessary.