What’s A Normal Testosterone Level
Testosterone is a natural hormone produced primarily in the testicles, and it helps men maintain everything from bone density and body hair to sex drive and sperm production. However, you don’t have to hit a certain number or level to be “a real man,” despite what the constant flow of ads may tell you. What matters is who you are and where you are in your life.
On average, a testosterone level of 3001,000 nanograms per deciliter of blood is normal. Hypogonadism reduced testicular function generally occurs when the total testosterone is less than 300 ng/dL. However, a healthy level for you depends on your age, lifestyle, and bioavailable testosterone level the unbound testosterone your body isn’t using for daily functions.
Unlike many low-T clinics, we calculate bioavailable testosterone by measuring levels of two proteins, sex hormone binding globulin and albumin, that typically bind to testosterone. It’s possible to have a normal total testosterone level and experience low-T symptoms if this balance is off.
Having a normal bioavailable testosterone level tells us your body is making plenty and you likely won’t benefit from testosterone replacement therapy. If your bioavailable testosterone level is low, we can discuss options.
Testosterone Deficiency In Men
Routine biochemical screening for testosterone deficiency in asymptomatic men is not recommended. A decision to test must be guided by the medical history and clinical examination. In the case of isolated, or non-specific symptoms only, a comprehensive general assessment is required to exclude potential alternative explanations3 and to guide further investigations. In the case of follow up of a previously ordered, relatively low, testosterone measurement, in a minimally symptomatic man, refer to Appendix A: Differential Diagnosis of Hypogonadism in Men and Appendix B: Medications that May Alter Testosterone Levels in Men and Women for conditions and medications associated with changes in testosterone concentration.
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At What Age Do Women Start Using Testosterone Therapy
Many people are genuinely surprised to learn that women can also be testosterone replacement patients but they may not realize that for some women, the sudden drop in their testosterone levels with the onset of menopause can cause some significant symptoms that are hard and/or unhealthy to live with.
As an androgen, testosterone is a sex-related hormone in both men and women. In women, this substance is produced by the ovaries the adrenal glands and by fat cells. By the time they reach the age of menopause, most women will have just half the amount of testosterone in their system as they did during puberty. So when a women has lost her sex drive or her ability to become aroused post-menopause, the answer to what can testosterone therapy do for me is that is can restore her sexual desire.
Since women have a much lower amount of this hormone to begin with, female testosterone replacement therapy typically utilizes much lower doses than those that are generally prescribed for men. Clinical studies have shown that the medical use of supplemental testosterone in women who have lost their sex drive post-menopause has a positive effect on their sexual arousal and frequency.
Testosterone Treatments: Why When And How
KATHERINE MARGO, M.D., University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
ROBERT WINN, M.D., Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Am Fam Physician. 2006 May 1 73:1591-1598.
Patient information: See related handout on testosterone therapy, written by the authors of this article.
Testosterone treatment is controversial for men and even more so for women. Although long-term outcome data are not available, prescriptions for testosterone are becoming more common. Testosterone is used primarily to treat symptoms of sexual dysfunction in men and women and hot flashes in women. Potential benefits include improved libido, increased bone mass, and increased sense of well-being. In individuals with human immunodeficiency virus infection or other chronic diseases, testosterone has been shown to improve mood and energy levels, even in patients with normal testosterone levels. Testosterone can be administered by injection, patch, topical gel, pill, or implant. Side effects in men include polycythemia and acne. Side effects in women include acne, hepatotoxicity, and virilization and usually only occur when testosterone is used in supraphysiologic doses. Long-term studies of the effects of testosterone on prostate cancer, breast cancer, and heart disease have not been completed. Mammograms and monitoring of prostate-specific antigen, hematocrit, and lipid levels are recommended for patients taking testosterone.
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What Are The Risks Of Testosterone Therapy
A relatively small number of men experience immediate side effects of testosterone treatment, such as acne, disturbed breathing while sleeping, breast swelling or tenderness, or swelling in the ankles. Doctors also watch out for high red blood cell counts, which could increase the risk of clotting.
Men on long-term using forms of testosterone therapy long term appear to have a higher risk of cardiovascular problems, like heart attacks, strokes, and deaths from heart disease. For example, in 2010, researchers halted the Testosterone in Older Men study when early results showed that men on testosterone replacement therapy had noticeably more heart problems. “In older men, theoretical cardiac side effects become a little more immediate,” Dr. Pallais says.
Some physicians also have a lingering concern that testosterone therapy could stimulate the growth of prostate cancer cells. As with the hypothetical cardiac risks, the evidence is mixed. But because prostate cancer is so common, doctors tend to be leery of prescribing testosterone to men who may be at risk.
So, keep risks in mind when considering testosterone therapy or other therapies . “I frequently discourage it, particularly if the man has borderline levels,” Dr. Pallais says.
Possible Improvements In Cognition
There is promising research in men that shows men with higher total testosterone have a reduced risk of Alzheimers disease. Testosterone has also been to important thinking abilities such as improved verbal memory, processing speed, and spatial memory. Again, while this research has been predominantly on men, it is likely that it would similarly affect women.
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Who Is Testosterone Therapy Not For
Wed be irresponsible not to discuss the groups of women who need to avoid testosterone therapy or carefully discuss hormone replacement therapy with their doctors before proceeding.
Women in the following categories should not receive testosterone therapy at all:
- Pregnant testosterone is toxic to the fetus
- Planning to get pregnant soon testosterone can cause severe birth defects
- Currently breastfeeding testosterone may suppress lactation
- Treating active cancer all of your energy and resources need to focus on eliminating cancer from your body
There are also gray areas that require deep discussion before committing to testosterone therapy. Most importantly, the gray area of having a family history of an inheritable, hormone-sensitive cancer.
Dont cannonball right into the pool wait to understand your risk profile and discuss the potential risks and benefits with the professionals best equipped to determine the impact of testosterone therapy on your health.
As long as you are thoughtful about testosterone therapy, account for all potential downsides, and understand your path forward, you can experience the benefits. Life is all about mitigating risks and maximizing the upside!
Effect Of Testosterone: Your Energy Levels Can Soar
“It’s very common for men to come in with low T and one of their primary symptoms is fatigue,” says Dr. Morgentaler. “And when we treat them, a lot of men will say that their energy has improved.” Many men also report an improvement in the “brain fog” that can come along with low testosterone, adds Dr. Tamler.
While researchers aren’t exactly sure how exactly testosterone plays a role in energy yet, Dr. Morgentaler says one of the thoughts is that it has an effect on your mitochondria, which produce energy within cells. This case isnt closed on this yet, but the theory is that “testosterone turns them on so they’re more productive in terms of creating the energy that the cells need.”
Dr. Tamler also notes that it may be tied back to androgen receptors as well. “If they don’t get sufficient input, that can cause fatigue,” he says. So bringing testosterone levels back up can help reverse this.
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What Are The Benefits Of Trt
After taking TRT, what potential benefits can you expect to see? To answer this question, the National Institutes of Health sponsored a series of coordinated trials to evaluate TRT, running for the course of a year. Testosterone treatment of 1 year for older men with low testosterone improved all aspects of sexual function.
So what did they come up with? They found that testosterone was helpful for mood and depressive symptoms, mild to moderate anemia and that it increased bone density and bone strength, and improved all measures of sexual function . They also found that testosterone gave participants the ability to walk slightly further . Other, earlier studies have found that TRT can and increase lean muscle mass .Notably, TRT did not improve energy or cognitive function.
Truth: Testosterone And Baldness Link To The Prostate
It sounds sad, but the primary hormone that causes male pattern baldness has a link to the prostate. To further understand the process, we need to look more in-depth at DHT, the testosterone byproduct we mentioned earlier.
DHT production comes from two sources.
The first is its production from a hormone called Dehydroepiandrosterone or DHEA. This is a more common source in women and gets its use as an anti-aging and sex drive supplement.
The primary source of this in men is the transformation of testosterone. The enzyme 5-alpha reductase facilitates the change from DHEA to DHT. Through a complicated process, DHT is in the skin, hair follicles, and prostate.
DHT handles the healthy development of the prostate throughout our lives. Too much DHT can result in an enlarged prostate.
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Effect Of Testosterone: Your Skin Type May Change
Going on testosterone replacement therapy may change your skin typefor better or for worse, says Dr. Morgentaler.
Like other hormones, testosterone can increase oil production, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s important for healthy skin, so you may actually end up with a better complexion. However, too much oily buildup can lead to breakouts.
Thankfully, this isn’t that common, says Dr. Morgentaler, and it’s typically seen in men who have a history of acne.
Similar to the fluid retention, this is mainly seen with treatments like injections, when you’re getting a higher dose all at once.
Whats Normal When It Comes To Testosterone
Guys in their late teens to early 20s are going to naturally have more testosterone. Once you hit 35 years old, those potent T levels start to drop, according to Abraham Morgentaler, M.D., author of Testosterone for Life, the director of Mens Health Boston, and an associate clinical professor of urology at Harvard Medical School. More important, there is a decline in free testosterone, which is the active, more bioavailable portion of testosterone in the bloodstream, he says.
As your testosterone drops, your bones will begin to weaken, and youll notice more padding along your waistline. Unfortunately, no amount of working out or protein shakes will keep you lean and strong if youre not in the optimal T range for your age. For men under 40, the normal range is between 450 and 650ng/ dL , though Morgentaler notes that anywhere between 300 and 1,000ng/ dL is still considered fine.
Some men maintain good levels of testosterone well into their 80s, and others are low in their late 20s, he says. However, on average, T levels in men decline by about 1% per year.
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- difficulty orgasming and/or lower orgasm intensity
- a lack of focus and mental sharpness
- an inability to gain strength or muscle in guys who exercise and lift consistently
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Westend61 / Getty
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Truth: Hair Loss Is Genetic
Does your dad have hair loss? If the answer is yes, chances are you will inherit the hair loss problem as well. The notion that high testosterone levels result in hair loss is untrue. Its your genes you need to blame.
Baldness is dominant in people who have sensitive hair follicles. The level of sensitivity comes from what we call the AR gene. The AR, or androgen-receptor, gene results in hair follicles going dormant.
More expressions of the AR gene in your DNA means a higher chance of getting male pattern baldness. This stronger expression of the gene in your body, the more sensitive the follicles are. While some genes play a part in this, the AR gene is the primary culprit.
If youre asking does testosterone make you lose hair? you should consider something else: what are the factors that make you lose hair?
Stress, age, and many other factors contribute to hair loss. Genetics is one of the more significant and more testable elements.
Men who have close family who have baldness have a significant risk of balding.
Testosterone Therapy Results After Two Months
Once you have completed two months of testosterone therapy, your ability to focus and concentrate will be greatly improved. This is the time in your program when you will start to see a definite before and after body in your mirror. Fat around your midsection should be significantly reduced, and your muscle tone will increase. Other results you can expect after two months of testosterone replacement therapy include:
- Improved sleep
- Increased red blood cell production
- Possible decline in diastolic blood pressure
- Better exercise capacity
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Testosterone Replacement Therapy: Is It Right For You
Men with a low sex drive, fading energy, mood changes and erectile dysfunction may have low testosterone levels, also known as low-T. However, these symptoms can be caused by other reasons . Ongoing research is trying to determine what symptoms go with low-T. So while there are a variety of medications to treat low-T, not everyone is a candidate, according to Charles Welliver, M.D., Assistant Professor of Urology at Albany Medical College.
Why Do Women Need Testosterone Therapy
When you think about hormone replacement therapy for women, the first thought that usually comes to mind is the typical estrogen therapy that is used to treat menopausal symptoms. However, when a woman is going through menopause, along with estrogen depletion, she is also losing her ability to produce adequate amounts of testosterone. A woman with low testosterone, will have trouble producing new blood cells, maintaining her libido or sex drive, and will find it harder to build muscle and burn fat.
When this is the case she will show the signs of low testosterone. The signs and symptoms of low testosterone in woman include:
- Feeling tired or sluggish
- Mental fog
- Loss of bone density
Current research indicates that women who are on estrogen replacement for menopausal symptoms, can also benefit when testosterone therapy is added as an adjunct to estrogen replacement in these women. Testosterone, when used in this way, seems to specifically help with the sexual wellness issues typical of post-menopausal women. According to Dr. Alan Malabanan, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, Studies of postmenopausal women have found that taking testosterone increases sexual desire and pleasure compared with a placebo .
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How Dht Leads To Male Pattern Baldness
In short, a small percentage of testosterone gets converted to DHT. This compound is responsible for most male traits such as a deeper voice and body hair. However, DHT is also responsible for hair loss on the head because it miniaturizes hair follicles.
Yes, the same compound that helps a man appear, sound, and feel masculine is also the one responsible for baldness. Scientists arent exactly sure why this is the case since DHT is important for hair growth everywhere else.
This is why hair growth products contain DHT blockers. The intention is to reduce DHT from reaching the scalp, ensuring hair follicles remain strong and thick for better growth.
Can You Boost Low Testosterone Naturally
The following lifestyle changes can help you maintain a healthy level of testosterone:
- lose weight if you are overweight
- keep active and exercise regularly
- get enough sleep
- don’t drink too much alcohol
- reduce stress.
Do not use unregulated products that contain testosterone or chemicals that act like testosterone.
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Testosterone Therapy In Females
Testosterone therapy is more controversial in females than in males.
Normal total testosterone levels in healthy adult females are 1570 ng/dl. Low testosterone in females can cause fertility problems, irregular periods, vaginal dryness, and a low sex drive. Despite this, doctors do not often recommend testosterone injections to treat low testosterone in females, as they can have masculinizing effects.
However, doctors may recommend testosterone therapy to help with hypoactive sexual desire disorder in females after menopause. Research has not supported their use for other signs and symptoms that people may experience after menopause, which include anxiety, mood changes, weight gain, and reduced bone density.
Currently, the FDA have not approved any products for testosterone therapy in females. Additionally, in the USA, there are no readily available formulations that provide the recommended treatment dose of 300 micrograms per day for females. As a result, a female will typically need a compounding pharmacy to fill the prescription.