Testosterone deficiency, or low testosterone, can develop for a variety of reasons, and understanding these causes is key to finding the right treatment. One of the most common factors is age—testosterone levels naturally decline as men get older, often starting as early as their 30s or 40s. In fact, one in three men over the age of 40 suffer from Low T. However, age isn’t the only reason men may experience low testosterone.
Medical conditions such as testicular failure, where the testicles are unable to produce enough testosterone, can significantly impact hormone levels. Problems with the pituitary gland, which is responsible for signaling the testicles to produce testosterone, can also lead to low testosterone. This is known as secondary hypogonadism, where the issue originates in the brain’s signaling rather than the testicles themselves.
Other health concerns, including diabetes and obesity, are known to affect testosterone production negatively. Injuries to the testicles, infections, and certain treatments like radiation therapy can also contribute to male hypogonadism. In some cases, genetic conditions or undescended testicles from birth may play a role. Finally, recent evidence suggests that microplastics and toxic chemicals in our environment have led to lower overall testosterone levels in the population
Because the causes of low testosterone are so varied, it’s important to work with a healthcare provider to identify the underlying cause and develop a personalized treatment plan.
