Both men and women need testosterone; but, because it is present in larger amounts in males, it plays a more important function in men. It helps with fertility, muscular building, weight reduction, and many other elements of health for men, including their mental health and development. With age, testosterone levels decrease. Concerns have also been raised concerning a general decline in testosterone levels in the US. It appears that health conditions and lifestyle choices also have an impact. Some people choose to utilize pills that make this promise in the hopes of raising their levels of the hormone testosterone.
Low amounts of testosterone
Low T levels, often known as low testosterone levels, can cause a number of symptoms in males, such as:
- decreased sex drive
- less energy
- weight gain
- feelings of depression
- moodiness
- low self-esteem
- less body hair
- thinner bones
While a man’s natural testosterone support production declines as he gets older, other circumstances might also result in decreased hormone levels. Production of testosterone can be adversely impacted by testicular injury and cancer therapies like chemotherapy and radiation.
Testosterone testing
Testosterone levels may be determined with a quick blood test. There is a wide range of testosterone levels that are considered normal or healthy in the circulation. According to a study, the normal range for adult male testosterone levels is between 280 and 1,100 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) and between 15 and 70 ng/dL for adult females. Ranges might range between laboratories, so it’s crucial to discuss your results with your doctor.
According to the American Urological Association, a doctor may perform a workup to identify the source of low testosterone if an adult male’s testosterone levels are below 300 ng/dL. Pituitary gland issues might be indicated by low testosterone levels. A signalling hormone from the pituitary gland urges the testicles to make more testosterone.
In an adult male, a low T test result may indicate that the pituitary gland isn’t functioning correctly. However, a young adolescent with low testosterone levels may be going through delayed puberty. Men with somewhat increased testosterone levels may not exhibit many symptoms. Puberty may start early for boys whose testosterone levels are greater. High testosterone in women might cause them to grow more masculine features.
An adrenal gland disease or even testicular cancer may cause abnormally high testosterone levels. Low-severity conditions can also cause high testosterone levels. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, for instance, is an uncommon but normal reason for increased testosterone production that can affect both genders. Your doctor may request more testing if your testosterone levels are abnormally high in order to determine the cause.