What is Low Testosterone?

Testosterone is the male sex hormone that is made in the testicles. Testosterone hormone levels are important to normal male sexual development and functions.

During puberty (in the teen years), testosterone helps boys develop male features like body and facial hair, deeper voice, and muscle strength. Men need testosterone to make sperm. Testosterone levels generally decrease with age, so older men tend to have low blood testosterone levels.

Some men have low testosterone levels. This is called Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome (TD) or Low Testosterone (Low-T). Deficiency means that the body does not have enough of a needed substance. Syndrome is a group of symptoms that, together, suggest a disease or health condition.

The American Urology Association (AUA) identifies low blood testosterone (Low-T) as less than 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). These symptoms or conditions may accompany Low-T:

• Low sex drive

• Fatigue

• Reduced lean muscle mass

• Irritability

• Erectile dysfunction

• Depression

• There are many other possible reasons for these symptoms, such as: opioid use, some congenital conditions (medical conditions you are born with), loss of or harm to the testicles, diabetes, and obesity (being overweight). See your doctor if you have any of these symptoms.

About CCMG Urology

Campbell County Medical Group Urology provides complete urological care for men and women in Gillette, Wyoming. The CCMG Urology team includes Dr. Attila Barabas, a board certified urologist who has been with CCMG since 2010 and Nurse Practitioner Breanna Lien. To learn more about our Urology department, click here.