Why Is Testosterone So Important
Testosterone is one of the essential hormones needed to survive and thrive for human beings. Without it, males would not be able to journey through puberty and develop important sex organs. They would also not be able to grow facial or body hair, have a masculine voice, or develop muscle size, have healthy sperm, or a sexual libido.
Why Does T Decrease With Age
Your body naturally produces less T as you age. According to an article in American Family Physician, the average males T production goes down by about 1 to 2 percent each year.
This is all part of a completely natural process that starts in your late 20s or early 30s:
This gradual decrease in T often doesnt cause any noticeable symptoms. But a significant drop in T levels may cause:
TRT is traditionally used to treat hypogonadism, which occurs when your testes dont produce enough testosterone.
There are two types of hypogonadism:
- Primary hypogonadism. Low T results from issues with your gonads. Theyre getting signals from your brain to make T but cant produce them.
- Central hypogonadism. Low T results from issues in your hypothalamus or pituitary gland.
TRT works to make up for T that isnt being produced by your testes.
If you have true hypogonadism, TRT can:
- improve your sexual function
- boost your sperm count and volume
- increase levels of other hormones that interact with T, including prolactin
TRT can also help to balance unusual T levels caused by:
Many countries, including the United States, dont allow people to legally purchase T supplements for TRT without a prescription.
Still, people seek out TRT for a range of non-medical reasons, such as:
The Benefits Of Trt: How Normal Testosterone Levels Benefit Your Body
- Mantality Health
- · April 17, 2019
Over 4 million men in the US suffer from the effects of low testosterone. TRT may be the solution for you if youve been experiencing chronic fatigue, low sex drive, or a drop in muscle mass.
Testosterone affects your energy levels, mood, sex drive, and even your sleep. When your body doesnt produce enough of it, youll begin to experience a drop in your overall wellness.
What is TRT and how can it help you? Read on to learn about the benefits of TRT and what to expect from this hormone treatment.
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What Are Normal Testosterone Levels In Men By Age
Testosterone is measured in nanograms per deciliter .
According to the American Urological Association, a man should have a testosterone level of at least 300 ng/dL getting any result below that number is an indication that a patient has a low testosterone level.
Its expected for peak testosterone levels to arrive in a mans teenage yearsaround 18 or 19before it starts to decline.
But the human body can start producing testosterone even during infancy as its responsible for the development of the male reproductive system.
Here are the acceptable testosterone levels for men by age group.
To confirm your testosterone levels, a doctor will have to perform a blood test.
The best time to test testosterone is in the morning between 7 and 10 AM because thats when your testosterone levels are at their highest.
How To Boost Your Testosterone Levels
There are lots of natural methods you can try to boost your testosterone levels. These include:
- Cutting back on alcohol aim for no more than 14 units a week .
- Exercising especially weight training and high-intensity interval training .
- Following a balanced diet ensure youre eatingenough carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats. Avoid yo-yo dieting and overeating.
- Managing your stress levels mindfulness, breathing exercises, and yoga are all great ways to reduce stress.
- Getting enough vitamin D try taking a vitamin D supplement between October to March.
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How Can I Test For Low Testosterone
You used to have to go to the doctors office, or to a clinic that specializes in hormone evaluation. Now, thanks to Hones at-home assessment, testing your hormone levels has never been easier or more discreet. Our simple kit gets mailed to your home and uses a few drops of blood to test for a wide range of biological markers, that are crucial to understanding your hormonal levels. Those biomarkers include:
- Total Testosterone
- Aspartate transaminase
How Can I Test My Testosterone Levels
You can check your testosterone levels at home with a home Testosterone Blood Test. Or, for a more comprehensive check of your hormones, a Male Hormone Test looks at a broader range of male hormones.
Both tests are finger-prick tests that you can take at home. Make sure you take your sample in the morning as testosterone levels are highest at this time of day. If your result is borderline or abnormal, you may be asked to repeat it to confirm.
Find out more about how to take a finger-prick blood test.
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Testosterone Levels In Men
Testosterone is one of the most important hormones in the human body. It plays a huge role in your overall health. Unfortunately, many men are suffering from low testosterone levels, and they dont even know it.
Some of the unwanted side effects of low testosterone levels include reduced energy, reduced sexual function, depression, decreased muscle mass, increased body fat and even increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
There are two ways to measure testosterone levels: total testosterone and free testosterone. The normal range for total testosterone is 300 1200 ng / dL while the normal range for free testosterone is 4.5-25.0 ng / dL.
There are many ways to raise your testosterone levels, from natural strategies like optimizing your sleep to medical strategies like testosterone replacement therapy. For many people, an online TRT provider like Fountain TRT is a good option for addressing low testosterone levels.
Is Low T Killing Your Vibe
For men, high testosterone levels are a big deal. High testosterone levels mean high vitality and virility. With age, testosterone naturally decreases. However, in some men, the decrease impacts the quality of life. In some cases, men could have a severe dip due to conditions like hypogonadism. To combat the issue, doctors developed TRT or testosterone replacement therapy.
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A Conversation With Dr Burnett
On January 31, 2014, the Food and Drug Administration stated they would study the risk of heart attack, stroke and death in men taking testosterone replacement therapy . This was after two recent studies suggested that TRT raises the risk of heart attack in men.
The American Urological Association has followed these reports closely. The AUA notes there are also conflicting studies suggesting TRT may lower heart attack risk. More studies need to be done to be certain whether and how TRT changes mens risk of heart attack.
The AUA is also concerned about misuse of TRT. You should not take testosterone for non-medical reasons, such as bodybuilding, preventing aging changes or performance enhancement. Men should not take TRT if they have normal testosterone levels or if their testosterone levels have not been tested. If you have normal testosterone levels, using TRT will not help your health problems.
Q: Ive heard about men taking testosterone replacement therapy for low-T. What is low-T, and how do I find out if I have it?
A: Low-T is also known as hypogonadism, which happens when a man does not have enough testosterone in his body. Testosterone is the sex hormone that helps boys grow into men. This hormone is key during puberty and in the development of male physical features. Testosterone levels can affect mens sex drive, erections, mood, muscle mass and bone density. Testosterone is also needed for normal sperm production.
What Is A Testosterone Deficiency
Testosterone deficiency syndrome, also called hypogonadism or Low T, is a medical condition in which the body doesnt produce enough Testosterone.
Hypogonadism causes can include:
- Issues with the pituitary gland or hypothalamus
- Certain medical conditions
Diagnosing Testosterone deficiency is multi-factorial and requires the medical provider to assess both comprehensive lab-work and the patients symptoms.
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The Truth Is Ridiculously Bad
Abraham Morgenthaler, MD, is a testosterone-science hotshot who’s well known to those of us who are passionate about the hormone. In 2006, he and his colleagues did a survey of 12 academic laboratories, 12 community medical laboratories, and one national laboratory.
Of the 25 labs they surveyed, there were 17 different sets of values for total testosterone and 13 different sets of values for free testosterone.
- Reference values for low testosterone ranged from 130 to 450 ng/dl, a 350% difference.
- Reference values for the upper end of “normal” ranged from 486 to 1,593 ng/dl, a 325% difference.
The widest range for supposedly normal total testosterone levels from a single lab was 262 to 1,593 ng/dl and the narrowest range was 180 to 486 ng/dl.
As far as free testosterone levels, the low value ranged from 5.0 to 13.5 picograms per milliliter, a variation of about 270%. The upper value ranged from 19.0 to 54.7 pg/ml, a variation of about 290%.
Are you getting the implications of this? As Morgenthaler and his colleagues pointed out, a man who had a total testosterone reading of 251 ng/dl would be categorized as hypogonadal by 14 of the labs they surveyed and normal by the other 11 labs.
They noted similar results for free testosterone.
Types Of Testosterone Esters
An ester is a molecular chain that attaches to Testosterone. Once injected, the body must break down the ester chain, which helps create a timed release of the hormone. Some Testosterone esters you may have heard of include Testosterone propionate, Testosterone enanthate, Testosterone cypionate, or a blend of esters in one prescription.
Its important to note that the Testosterone itself doesnt change. The only difference is the ester, which creates varying results based on how the body metabolizes the Testosterone. For Testosterone Replacement Therapy , esters are only part of the equation the other part is the frequency and timing of the injections.
No matter the ester, the goal is to bring Testosterone levels up to optimal ranges. For most men, this is about 2 percent to 4 percent free Testosterone . Any ester can achieve this goal based on timing of the injections, but patients may perform well on specific esters depending on many factors.
For example, your provider might recommend a combination of propionate and cypionate to help you achieve a faster spike in your Testosterone levels, because this provides you with symptom relief and helps you feel better. Remember each treatment is individualized, and what works for one person may not work for another. Thats why its important to find a provider who specializes in TRT and who is dedicated to creating unique protocols to meet your specific needs.
Testosterone Cypionate
Testosterone Propionate
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Reviewed By: Dr Sam Rodgers
Search interest for testosterone has surged in recent years, increasing by over 70% from March 2020 to March 2022 . But why the increased interest in testosterone?
In the UK, testosterone prescriptions shot up by nearly 90% between 2000 and 2010 . The medical media may be behind a lot of this furore. But its also possible that testosterone deficiency is genuinely on the rise.
One study showed that mens testosterone levels have gradually been declining with time on a population level . And its not overly clear why. It might be partially explained by the rise in other associated conditions like type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.
Are declining testosterone levels not just a normal part of ageing?
The answer is yes, to a certain extent. But levels of testosterone vary significantly between men – so knowing how to tell if your testosterone is high or low is not always straightforward.
In this article, we look at how testosterone levels change with age, how to check your testosterone levels, and when its worth exploring further.
How Can I Minimise The Rate Of Decline
Theres no need to panic if your testosterone levels are gradually declining this is a normal part of ageing. However, there are some lifestyle changes you can make to prevent testosterone levels from dropping more quickly:
- Lose weight if youre overweight Being overweight decreases testosterone by increasing insulin resistance, reducing sex hormone binding globulin, and suppressing the testosterone regulating centres in the brain. Having low testosterone itself leads to an accumulation of body fat over lean mass creating a self-perpetuating cycle .
- Keep active Both aerobic activities and high-intensity interval training are good ways to increase testosterone levels for older men .
- Reduce alcohol intake Alcohol abuse reduces testosterone levels and can lead to weight gain. So, avoid drinking over the recommended 14 units per week.
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet Cut down on fried and processed foods. Instead, opt for plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, seafood, and wholegrain produce .
- Avoid anabolic steroids Anabolic steroids can lead to long-term problems including decreased testosterone levels in later years .
Visit our male hormone guide for more ways to boost your testosterone levels naturally.
Even if youre living the healthiest lifestyle possible, for a very small percentage of men, their levels will still drop into a range that causes symptoms. This is often due to an underlying cause. In these cases, testosterone replacement therapy may be beneficial.
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Talk To A Doctor About Low Testosterone
If you are experiencing symptoms like those described above, we encourage you to consult your doctor. While the symptoms may not be caused by low testosterone, you must maintain your health.
Your doctor can order a blood panel that will examine various indicators regarding your general state of health, your testosterone levels included. A blood panel helps your doctor understand your overall health needs based on various factors, including age. Knowing where you are at on the spectrum is crucial to making good decisions about your health. In women, normal testosterone levels range from 15 to 70 nanograms per deciliter of blood.
Clinics will prescribe testosterone treatments based on symptom improvement vs. potential side effects. Some patients may reach a blood serum level between 200-300 ng/DL to achieve optimal symptom relief.
How Will I Be Monitored While On Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Your doctor will measure your testosterone levels at the 3- and 6-month marks after treatment begins. After that you’ll be tested once a year. If your levels are OK you’ll stay on your current dose.
If your testosterone levels are too low, your dose may be adjusted. At the same time, your doctor will check your red blood cell levels.
Within 1 to 2 years of TRT, your doctor will measure your bone density if you had osteoporosis when treatment began. Your doctor will evaluate your prostate cancer risk at the start of treatment and may do more tests at the 3- and 6-month marks, and then annually.
Patients taking TRT should call 911 immediately if they have symptoms which include:
- Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
- Weakness in one side of the body
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What Is The Average Dose Of Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Testosterone is the naturally occurring male sex hormone produced by the testes that plays a vital role in manifesting male characteristics including sperm production, body hair, muscle mass, and libido during puberty. Women also produce small amounts of testosterone, however its not enough to have any significant effect on their development. In addition, the level of testosterone varies between individuals, and there are instances where the levels may be too low, forcing you to seek medical intervention. To mitigate low testosterone levels, medical professionals prescribe testosterone replacement therapy as a treatment. Given the diversity in conditions and treatment regimens, one question remains What is the average dose of testosterone replacement therapy?.
We Have A Long Way To Go
So what is the take-home message for all of this?
We have a long way to go to understanding testosterone levels and their impact on men.
A man who had very high testosterone levels when a younger man may have very real and devastating symptoms but be within the lower ranges of the lab ranges provided. He will be told be the average doctor that his levels are completely normal when his blood results come back within range.
Similarly, a young man of 25 years old may feel extremely fatigued and depressed at a testosterone level similar to that of a low-testosterone 80 year old. But based on the ranges provided by the labs, he will be considered normal. He will be struggling with all of the symptoms of low testosterone and will probably be put on SSRIs to attempt to treat his depression and anxiety.
This is why doctors should be using a combination of total testosterone and free testosterone levels as well as symptoms to assess whether a man is likely to be suffering from low testosterone. More studies are needed to establish likely symptomatic ranges for men and laboratories need to base their ranges on the research rather than relying on statistical analysis of populations.
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