What is Testosterone, and How Does It Affect Your Health?: Advanced Urology Medical Offices: Urologists

What is testosterone? The ultimate guide

In adult males, the effects of excess testosterone depend on whether the source is from the adrenals or exogenous. Adrenal androgen elevations have few observable effects in males and do not cause an increase in muscle mass or hair growth. In adult females, increased adrenal androgens can lead to acne, hirsutism, menstrual irregularities, infertility, male-pattern baldness, or virilization. In males, the majority of testosterone is secreted from the testes, hence the term “testosterone”. The hormone is also produced in small amounts by the adrenal gland. The production of this hormone is controlled by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the brain.

Testicular or adrenal tumors can cause excess testosterone production. It also plays a significant role in red blood cell production. This helps to maintain healthy bone density, whilst regulating fat distribution and enhancing fat burn during physical activity. Like any medication, testosterone therapy has some risks, so you should only use it under a doctor’s care.

High levels of testosterone in female infants may lead to enlargement of their clitoris that can look almost like a penis. It can also lead to precocious (early) puberty, which is when puberty begins before the age of eight. It’s unlikely — and difficult to tell — that a male adult has higher-than-normal levels of testosterone. The two charts below list the general normal ranges of testosterone based on age and sex. Your hypothalamus and pituitary gland control the amount of testosterone your gonads (testicles or ovaries) produce and release.

At all times, we endeavour to provide a professional and transparent service whose primary goal is to ensure that the best interests of the patient are served. NowPatient is a digital health-technology platform functioning as both an online pharmacy and telehealth service. Testosterone is a vital hormone that supports male characteristics and overall health.

Still, new research suggests that testosterone may play an important role in cognitive function. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly. The law does not require herbal supplements to be proven safe before sale, so caution is advised. They are often used to support weight loss and muscle-building. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can help restore some affected functions of low testosterone.

Approximately 35% of men in their 70s have low-T, according to the American Urological Association. Many men and a surprising number of providers don’t realize that taking exogenous (synthetic) testosterone or over-the-counter supplements may have harmful side effects if not administered properly. Tinkering with your testosterone levels without direction from a qualified specialist can cause other health issues, such as testicular atrophy, infertility, and an increased risk of prostate cancer. Your peak testosterone levels will occur during puberty, where healthy young men can expect to produce as much as 6 mg of testosterone daily, and then decline. The factors that account for the natural decline include your age, your overall health, and your lifestyle. Abnormal testosterone levels can be caused by various factors, including age, lifestyle, and certain medical conditions. Men also lose muscle mass and bone density; the red blood cell count drifts down; sexual ardor declines; and body fat increases.

Our dedicated medical team will be available to answer any questions you may have about your results or the next steps you should take. NowPatient has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that all material is factually accurate, complete, and current. However, the knowledge and experience of a qualified healthcare professional should always be sought after instead of using the information on this page. Before taking any drug, you should always speak to your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider. ‍In men, testosterone is primarily produced in the testicles, while smaller quantities are also produced by the adrenal glands.

There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Talk with your care team about your birth control options while taking this medication. If you have diabetes, check with your care team before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medication.

Unfortunately, most physicians will only check total testosterone levels and that is usually after the patient requests their testosterone level be checked. The majority of testosterone in the body is found by sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). SHBG is a glycoprotein in our plasma which binds to testosterone and estrogen and what is the difference between testosterone free and total responsible for transporting these hormones throughout the body. Having too much SHBG can be a problem in that it causes one to have lower free testosterone levels. It’s called free testosterone because it is not bound by SHBG and is free to interact with testosterone receptor sites, making it active. We need a certain amount of SHBG to transport testosterone throughout the body. However, having too much SHBG is like having an Uber driver take you to work but then not letting you get out.

Testosterone produced mainly in the testicles, has an impact on various aspects of a man’s sexual health. It contributes to overall well-being and is involved in the development of sex organs, muscle mass, and bone density. Testosterone replacement therapy may cause the prostate to grow. If a man has early prostate cancer, a concern is that testosterone may stimulate cancer growth. Therefore, it is important for all men considering testosterone replacement therapy to undergo prostate screening before starting treatment. Men who are found to have prostate cancer should not undergo testosterone replacement therapy. Low testosterone is a condition in which the testicles fail to produce the male sex hormone testosterone.