Testosterone: Inevitable Hormone in Men

Testosterone is a hormone that is produced primarily in the testicles and is essential to the development of male growth and masculine characteristics. Testosterone production peaks during adolescence and early adulthood. After that, it’s natural for levels to drop slightly each year.

Testosterone plays a key role in the creation of muscle mass and strong bones. It’s also responsible for the development of men’s deeper voices, and it contributes to sex drive too. Low testosterone levels in a man is called hypogonadism.

Women have testosterone too, but in much lower amounts. In women, the  adrenal glands produce testosterone.

The hormone  is produced in much higher concentrations in men and it is responsible for many of the secondary sex characteristics seen in men such as a deeper voice and hair on the chest, in addition to contributing to a healthy libido, building muscle mass, and maintaining energy levels.

Testosterone helps maintain man's:
- Bone density
- Fat distribution
- Muscle strength and mass
- Red blood cell production
- Sex drive
- Sperm production
 
In general, the normal range in males is about 270 to 1070 ng/dL with an average level of 679 ng/dL. A normal male testosterone level peaks at about age 20, and then it slowly declines. Testosterone levels above or below the normal range are considered by many to be out of balance. Moreover, some researchers suggest that the healthiest men have testosterone levels between 400 - 600 ng/dL

Why Men Need Testosterone

Testosterone is a sex hormone that is produced in a man’s testes. When a male baby is developing, this hormone helps the sex organs form. During puberty, testosterone plays a key role in physically developing boys into men. It makes hair grow on the face, builds muscles, and causes the voice to deepen. Later in life, testosterone also plays an important role in a man’s sexual function.

High and Low Testosterone Levels in Men:

Men who have testosterone levels that are higher than average may experience both benefits and drawbacks. The benefits, which are modest, include normalizing blood pressure and lowering the likelihood of obesity and heart attacks. However, there is a tendency for such men to consume more alcoholic beverages, and they are more likely to smoke, and more likely to get injured.

According to some researchers, the higher the testosterone level, the more likely men are to participate in risk-taking behavior (sexual, injury risk, and even criminal activity). The problems associated with high testosterone levels are infrequent and rare in middle-aged and elderly men who are not receiving testosterone treatments. When the testosterone level becomes out of balance, it usually becomes too low rather than too elevated.

The most common "out of balance" testosterone levels are found to be on the low side of normal; this occurs because a male's highest testosterone level usually peaks at about age 20, and then it decreases slowly with age. It has been suggested that a 1% decrease in testosterone levels per year is not unusual for middle-aged (30 to 50 years old) and older males. While this decrease may not be noticeable in some men, others may experience significant changes starting in their middle-aged years or more commonly at age 60 and above. This drop in testosterone levels is sometimes termed hypogonadism, "male menopause" or andropause.

  Hypogonadism

Hypogonadism is a disease in which the body is unable to produce normal amounts of testosterone due to a problem with the testicles or with the pituitary gland that controls the testicles. Testosterone replacement therapy can improve the signs and symptoms of low testosterone in these men. Doctors may prescribe testosterone as injections, pellets, patches or gels.
Low testosterone levels may result in a decline in physical energy, strength, stamina, and diminished mental aggressiveness. Moreover, men may experience more aches and pains in the bones and joints and they may also have a decline in libido and erections.
How does one ensure that testosterone levels remain in balance?

Some physicians suggest that monitoring testosterone levels every five years, starting at age 35, is a reasonable strategy to follow. If the testosterone level falls too low or if the individual has the signs and symptoms of low testosterone levels described above, testosterone therapy can be considered.

 However, once testosterone therapy is initiated, testosterone levels should be closely monitored to make sure that the testosterone level does not become too high, as this may cause stress on the male, and it may result in some of the negative problems seen in men with high testosterone levels. Finding the appropriate balance of testosterone is possible through discussions with your doctor, and it requires your willingness to have testosterone levels checked before the initiation of therapy and then routinely in the future.

If you have further questions about testosterone, check out frequently asked questions here


What happens to testosterone levels with age?

Low testosterone is a common condition in men as they get older. Testosterone levels naturally decline with age. In their 60s, roughly 20 percent of men have low testosterone, according to the Urology Care Foundation. Among men in their 70s, that number rises to 30 percent. And by the time men have reached their 80s, about half of them have had a drop in testosterone levels.

Testosterone peaks during adolescence and early adulthood. As you get older, your testosterone level gradually declines — typically about 1 percent a year after age 30. It is important to determine in older men if a low testosterone level is simply due to the decline of normal aging or if it is due to a disease (hypogonadism).
Does a naturally declining testosterone level cause the signs and symptoms of aging?

Not necessarily. Men can experience many signs and symptoms as they age. Some may occur as a result of lower testosterone levels and can include:
Changes in sexual function.This may include reduced sexual desire, fewer spontaneous erections — such as during sleep — and infertility.

Changes in sleep patterns.

Sometimes low testosterone causes insomnia or other sleep disturbances.

Physical changes.

Various physical changes are possible, including increased body fat, reduced muscle bulk and strength, and decreased bone density. Swollen or tender breasts (gynecomastia) and body hair loss are possible. You may experience hot flashes and have less energy than you used to.

Emotional changes.

Low testosterone may contribute to a decrease in motivation or self-confidence. You may feel sad or depressed, or have trouble concentrating or remembering things.

It's important to note that some of these signs and symptoms are a normal part of aging. Others can be caused by various underlying factors, including medication side effects, thyroid problems, depression and excessive alcohol use. A blood test is the only way to diagnose a low testosterone level

Why Do Testosterone Levels Drop?

Decreasing levels of testosterone are a natural part of the aging process. The older a man gets, the lower his testosterone levels may drop. Several causes other than aging can also lead to low testosterone, however. These include injuries to the testicles as well as chemotherapy or radiation for treating cancer in the genital area. Other causes include diseases of the pituitary gland, and medicines that affect this gland, such as steroids.

How Low Testosterone Impacts Your Sex Life

Low testosterone can have real, and important health effects—especially on a man’s sex life. Men with low testosterone may have trouble getting and keeping an erection. The erections they do have may come less often and not as strongly as before. A man’s desire to have sex (libido) also decreases as testosterone drops. All of these factors can lead to less frequent sex. This can have a real effect on partner relationships.

Other Effects of Low Testosterone

Having low testosterone doesn’t only affect your sex drive and your ability to have sex; it can cause other symptoms as well. If you’re suffering from low T, you may notice that you’ve put on weight, and that you have less energy than you used to. Low T increases body fat and reduces muscle mass. It also can affect your mood, making you feel depressed. Some men with low testosterone have trouble concentrating.

Health Worries:

A lack of testosterone can sometimes have long-term, serious effects on the body. In men with very low levels, the bones can become weak, potentially causing a condition called osteoporosis. Osteoporosis makes people considerably more prone to injury. One study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism also linked low testosterone to a higher risk of death from heart disease and other causes.

If you have further questions about testosterone, check out frequently asked questions here

Diagnosing Low T?

If you have symptoms such as reduced sex drive or erection problems, you should see a doctor. The doctor can do a blood test to help determine whether you have low testosterone. Because testosterone levels can rise and fall during the day, you may need to have more than one test. Your doctor may take the blood test in the morning, which is when testosterone levels are highest.

Getting Treated for Low T

If your levels are low, you may be prescribed testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Most men with low testosterone rub a testosterone gel on their arms or shoulders, according to the Urology Care Foundation. Another method is to get a shot into a muscle, or you can wear a patch that slowly releases testosterone into your blood. There are also pellets that go under the skin. Men with prostate cancer shouldn’t take testosterone because it can fuel cancer growth.

Treatment for low T.

Testosterone therapy could serve as a Key to male vitality.

Considering testosterone therapy to help you feel younger and more vigorous as you age? Know the risks before you make your decision.

The possibilities of testosterone therapy are enticing — increase your muscle mass, sharpen your memory and concentration, boost your libido, and improve your energy level. As you get older, testosterone therapy may sound like the ultimate anti-aging formula. Yet the health benefits of testosterone therapy for age-related decline in testosterone aren't as clear as they may seem. Find out what's known — and not known — about testosterone therapy for normal aging.

Treatment is available for imbalance in testosterone levels. Doctors may use injections, patches, or topical creams or gels that contain testosterone. However, not all men may be candidates for this type of treatment. Testosterone should not be used in men with suspected or known prostate cancer or breast cancer. In addition, the testosterone may put a male that has kidney, liver, or heart problems at higher risk for complications of these diseases. Before testosterone therapy is initiated, it is very important to check with your doctor to determine what treatment, if any, is right for you.

Knowing When You Really Need Treatment

Over the last few years, many drug companies have started advertising products designed to treat “low T.” Between 2001 and 2011, the number of men over age 40 using testosterone therapy tripled, according to a research letter published in JAMA Internal Medicine. It’s important if you have symptoms of low testosterone to get tested so that you only get treated if you really need it

If you have further questions about testosterone, check out frequently asked questions here