What happens if not enough testosterone is produced?
Continued low testosterone production and secretion results in a condition called Hypogonadism. Hypogonadism may be due to problems with testicular function or from problems at hypothalamic or pituitary level. Testicular problems can be genetic (as in Klinefelter’s Syndrome) or acquired (e.g. after surgical removal of the testes). Problems at hypothalamic or pituitary level may also be genetic (as in Kallmann’s syndrome) or acquired (e.g. with pituitary tumours, following pituitary/other brain surgery or Radiotherapy to the pituitary or head). Hypogonadism in adolescence may present with; delayed puberty; Short stature with disproportionate long arms and legs, high pitched unbroken voice, dry smooth skin with scanty or no underarm, pubic, facial and body hair, underdeveloped muscles and smaller sized bones, testes and penis than expected for their age. In adults, in addition to loss of secondary sexual hair with a decrease in shaving frequency, there may be; a reduction in the size and
