That is why Humanaut Health's Hormones program fits best when patients want careful interpretation instead of generic target ranges. This is especially true in functional hypogonadism, where weight, sleep, metabolic health, and medication effects may influence the entire picture (Corona et al., Andrology, 2020). Interpreting testosterone requires the clinical picture, the treatment method, the testing interval, and the broader symptom and safety profile. That is why good hormone care depends on more than a screenshot of a lab result. Too much testosterone can also cause hypertension, or high blood pressure (8). Too much estrogen in a male body is not a good thing; it can cause erectile dysfunction, or low libido." "Your body will start converting excess testosterone into estrogen to help compensate," says McDevitt. Accompanying the weight gain is muscle loss, and the inability to perform workouts to the same levels as before, but also seeing fewer results from the same workouts. On the other hand, free testosterone is floating around your body, ready to be recruited by your cells. Your body then metabolizes your total testosterone into other substances to keep you functioning optimally. As its name suggests, total testosterone is the total amount of testosterone in your bloodstream. It’s natural for testosterone levels to vary depending on your age and overall health. Late-onset male hypogonadism happens when the decline in testosterone levels is linked to general aging and/or age-related conditions, particularly obesity and Type 2 diabetes. The two charts below list the general normal ranges of testosterone based on age and sex. However, many men with normal testosterone levels have similar symptoms, so a direct connection between testosterone levels and symptoms is not always clear. Testosterone therapy is approved for the treatment of delayed male puberty and abnormally low production of testosterone secondary to malfunction of the testes, pituitary or hypothalamus. Estrogen therapy increases sex hormone binding globulin and, like aging men, this reduces the amount of free, active testosterone in the body. You may also consider natural ways to increase testosterone levels. If you took an at-home testosterone level test and your results showed levels outside the standard range, it may be worthwhile to make an appointment to see a doctor to discuss the results. If you’re concerned about your reproductive health or are experiencing any of the symptoms of having high or low testosterone, it may be a good idea to speak with a doctor. However, it is worth noting that high testosterone levels are rare in cases where someone is not taking testosterone. Although the potential benefits of multivitamins are hotly debated, certain supplements may be useful for supporting healthy testosterone levels. Eating enough protein can help you maintain healthy testosterone levels and can aid in fat loss, which may be beneficial, too. Interestingly, testosterone also plays an important role in female health and sexual well-being. Beyond sexual function and fertility, testosterone is the hormone that drives your masculine traits— facial hair, deeper voice, muscle growth. Although testosterone is commonly known as the male sex hormone, its impact goes far beyond sexual function and fertility. If you have a hard time with needles or blood samples, a saliva test may be an alternative. If your testosterone test results show that your testosterone level is low, this may be a result of aging. However, according to the American Urology Association, men with levels below 300 ng/dL should be classified as having low T, or hypogonadism. The effects of testosterone treatment and exercise on variables like body composition, strength, and aerobic fitness significantly enhance our comprehension of the relative benefits of both physiological and pharmacological interventions for aging men . Additionally, testosterone is essential for muscle mass regulation, as it promotes protein synthesis and muscle hypertrophy by binding to androgen receptors in muscle cells . The vascular endothelium regulates vascular tone, blood flow, and overall cardiovascular health. Testosterone, a key steroid hormone, has been shown to significantly affect the vascular endothelium, the thin layer of cells lining blood vessels. This test is specifically used to check for an antibody response to the virus, which can take time to develop. If at any time you feel like you are having a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1. Based on your response, this test is not right for you, as this test is unavailable for people of your age. Alternatively, these tests cannot be purchased because you do not meet the age, gender, or location requirements to purchase the test(s). Offer valid on first purchase on questhealth.com only and cannot be applied to previous purchases or combined with any other offer. Women may have a testosterone deficiency due to diseases of the pituitary, hypothalamus or adrenal glands, in addition to removal of the ovaries. Although testosterone may make prostate cancer grow, it is not clear that testosterone treatment actually causes cancer. Men taking testosterone replacement must be carefully monitored for prostate cancer. There are times when low testosterone is not such a bad thing.
