Man with tattoos staring off into the distance

Causes of Low Testosterone in Men

You already know the symptoms of Low T, but why does it happen? 

Low Testosterone occurs in men for various reasons—usually, Low-T results from natural factors, medical conditions, certain diseases, lifestyle factors, and hereditary conditions. 

Understanding why you have Low T is the first step toward restoring your hormone levels and feeling like your best self again. 

Here are some of the most common causes of Low Testosterone in men:

  • Medical conditions and diseases
  • Lifestyle factors
  • Aging
  • Hereditary conditions 

Causes of Low T in men: conditions and diseases

  • Hypogonadism: Male hypogonadism is when the body doesn’t produce enough testosterone, often referred to as Low T. Men can be either born with a predisposition towards hypogonadism or develop it later in life due to medical conditions, lifestyle choices, or injury. Healthcare professionals can treat certain kinds of hypogonadism with testosterone replacement therapy.  

There are two types of hypogonadism: primary and secondary. The primary type involves problems in the testicles. In contrast, the second type involves issues in the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland, both of which are responsible for telling the testicles to produce the hormone. 

Causes of Low Testosterone in men due to primary hypogonadism include injury to the testicles, cancer treatment, hemochromatosis and specific, but rare, medical conditions.

Secondary hypogonadism is caused by a variety of conditions, including inflammatory diseases, autoimmune disorders or diseases, certain medications, obesity, as well as normal aging. 

  • Type 2 Diabetes: Studies have found that half of the men with diabetes have Low Testosterone. 
  • Chronic liver disease: Men with liver problems, including advanced liver disease, usually have low hormone levels. Liver disease can be genetic or caused by viruses, alcohol use, and other factors that damage the organ. 
  • Chronic kidney disease: Diabetes, high blood pressure, and other conditions can cause kidney disease or the gradual loss of kidney function. Men with advanced kidney disease often have Low Testosterone. 
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): COPD is a chronic inflammatory lung disease. One of the complications of COPD and related medications is this type of deficiency. 
  • Addiction recovery disorders: Many addictions, including addictions to opioids, can reduce levels and cause various health problems. 
  • Cancer treatments: Being treated with chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer can cause hypogonadism. Hormone production and sperm production are both affected by cancer treatments and are causes of Low T in men. 

Lifestyle factors

As mentioned above, lifestyle factors cause secondary hypogonadism. These include:

Obesity: Obesity can be traced to various causes, from metabolic and hormonal influences on body weight to lifestyle choices. When it comes to testosterone levels in men, obesity can affect the hormone, too. Overweight men are more likely to have a deficiency in the hormone because fat cells metabolize the hormone into estrogen and, therefore, lower levels. 

It’s no surprise that losing weight can raise testosterone levels. At SynergenX, we know this all too well, which is why we offer individual weight loss programs. These programs combat hormone issues related to being overweight and help you keep the weight off for good. 

Natural Aging: As you age into your 30s and 40s, testosterone gradually declines. While this is a natural part of aging, it’s still important to figure out if a deficiency is due to an underlying disease or normal aging. 

Malnutrition: The Mayo Clinic lists malnutrition as one of the many causes of Low Testosterone in men.  

Inherited conditions

You might be born with a disease, disorder, or condition that causes low levels in your body. Some of these conditions show signs and symptoms early in age, while others can go unnoticed until adulthood. There are certain rare genetic disorders that can lead to low testosterone. There are more common diseases and disorders that cause Low T.

Proper diagnosis and hormone replacement therapy

Depending on the cause of your hormone deficiency, you may or may not know your diagnosis. 

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a solution for some causes of Low Testosterone in men. At SynergenX, we provide a custom approach to treating Low T that includes a tailored plan, ongoing monitoring of hormone levels, and variable dosing. 

If you feel robbed of your energy, sleep, concentration, and strength, consider TRT. To get started, we invite you to contact us today for a $25 Low T test. We’ll help you determine your cause of Low Testosterone and create an individualized treatment plan. 

To schedule an appointment, call 888.219.7259 today or fill out an online form

New Patient Appointment Booking