Low levels of testosterone in medical terms are called hypogonadism. Depending on where the deficiency occurs in the production of testosterone, it can be further classified as primary, secondary, or tertiary hypogonadism. Primary hyponadism is diagnosed when a problem occurs in the testosterone producing organs, the testes. When this damage to the hypothalamus, which causes testosterone deficiency, the condition is called tertiary hypogonadism.
Regardless of where a problem occurs, low testosterone levels can have a significant effect on the human body, and you are likely to experience effects in a number of areas. The classification of primary, secondary, or tertiary hypogonadism is important because it will influence the course of treatment prescribed by your doctor.
What is primary hypogonadism?
Primary hypogonadism will be diagnosed if a problem occurs with Leydig cells in the testes that produce testosterone. This is the primary failure at the organ level, which means that the body can produce biologically insufficient testosterone. There are a number of factors that can damage the testes.
Some of the factors that can cause primary hypogonadism include:
Undescended testes
If the testicles do not descend during fetal development or during the first two years of life, permanent damage may occur. It can affect the testicles. the ability to produce enough testosterone to maintain a healthy body.
Traumatic injury
Physical damage and injury to the scrotum can affect testosterone production. Often, although there is only damage to one testicle, the other can produce enough to compensate, as part of the body's commitment to homeostasis. Most of the problem occurs when both testicles are damaged.
Cancer treatment
Treating cancer, such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy, can damage testosterone-producing cells.
aging
Once you reach your middle age in life, your testosterone production is natural. This part is part of the normal life cycles and processes that slow down when you start to get older. Testosterone production is reduced by 1-2% every year, as soon as you pass 30 years.
piggy
Mumps can cause swelling and inflammation of the testicles, affecting their production of sex hormones.
Genetic anomalies
Klinefelter syndrome is an example of a genetic abnormality that can affect the level of testosterone produced by the body. With this syndrome, the extra x-chromosome enters the genetic makeup, and the body cannot produce sufficient testosterone.
Tertiary hypogonadism
Secondary and tertiary hypogonadism occurs when the glands that produce hormones that produce testosterone do not work at best or are damaged. This may include damage to the pituitary or hypothalamus or other glands that produce hormones, such as LH, TSH and GRH.
Some of the problems that can cause tertiary hypogonadism may include:
- Tumors in the pituitary glands or side effects from brain tumors can affect testosterone production.
- Hypothalamus malformation, which usually occurs during fetal development, can cause low testosterone levels.
- Poor circulation or insufficient blood flow to the pituitary and hypothalamus can lead to the fact that they do not produce a sufficient level of hormones.
- Sarcoidosis or tuberculosis can cause inflammation of the pituitary gland, affecting its functionality.
- The use or abuse of steroids can also affect the functioning of the hypothalamus.
Obesity is another factor that can affect a person’s ability to produce enough testosterone to maintain a healthy body. If a person is overweight or obese, the excess fat cells in the body convert testosterone to estrogen, significantly lower the amount of testosterone circulating in the body. This is a cyclical problem when both obesity and low testosterone require treatment to correct it.
