Testosterone Deficiency

Testosterone deficiency is the decline of the production of testosterone by the testes. The production of testosterone declines naturally with age but a significant decrease could be the result of disease or damage to the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, or testicles. This deficiency, depending on age, could lead to abnormalities in bone and muscles development, underdeveloped genitalia and diminished virility.

SYMPTOMS

The symptoms of testosterone deficiency depend upon the age at onset and duration of hormonal deficiency. Deficiency at birth can result in underdeveloped genitalia and undeterminable genitalia; at puberty can result in enlargement of breast tissue, sparse or absent pubic and body hair, and underdeveloped penis, testes and muscle; as adult men the deficiency can result in diminished libido, erectile dysfunction, muscle weakness, loss of body hair, depression and other mood disorders.

TREATMENT

The treatment of testosterone deficiency is hormone replacement therapy.

• Hormone replacement therapy: uses testosterone administered through the skin or injected in controlled intervals. The most common transdermal delivery is a testosterone patch and gel.