INTRODUCTION:
This article will help in understanding what is testosterone, its importance in both the genders and what are the normal values and what are the low testosterone symptoms and what measures are taken to counter the deficiency or excess.
TESTOSTERONE:
Testosterone UK is a hormone found in humans (both genders) and also in animals. It is an anabolic steroidal hormone produced by testes in men and also known as primary sex hormone as it is responsible for the sexual maturation in men. In women ovaries are responsible for producing this hormone but in much lesser quantity as men. It is estimated to be 10 times lesser than the males. Its production peaks at the onset of puberty then gradually diminishes after 30s.
FUNCTION OF TESTOSTERONE:
It is a mis-conception to link this hormone only with the sexual aspect of an individual. It plays a pivotal role in overall well-being and multiple other aspects such as muscle mass, bone density so on and so forth. Testosterone can be defined as it carries out two main functions and they are:
- Primary male sex hormone
- Anabolic Steroids
Based on the two main functions mentioned earlier testosterone functions can be elaborated further and are as follows:
- Plays a vital role in sperm production
- Regulates sex drive (libido)
- Semen production
- Hair production on the body
- Hoarseness of voice in males
- Red blood cell production
- Regulates Fat storage in the body
- Overall mood and well-being
- Bone density
- Muscle mass
OPTIMAL RANGE IN MEN:
Healthy testosterone levels for an adult male are between 280 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dl) to 1100 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dl). Range can slightly differ from lab to lab but if an adult male has lower than 300 nanogram per deciliter of testosterone than he is labelled as a case of testosterone suppression.
OPTIMAL RANGE FOR FEMALES:
Optimal range in females is much lower as compared to males. According to experts between 15 nanograms per deciliter to 70 nanogram per deciliter is considered normal for females. A simple blood test is enough to look into the levels. Then if low or high further investigations are required to rule out the exact cause.
CAUSES LEADING TO LOW LEVELS OF TESTOSTERONE:
There are multiple reasons leading to the suppression of testosterone and here are some of the reasons leading to the deficiency of testosterone:
- Obesity
- Aging
- Infections
- Auto-immune diseases
- After Chemotherapy sessions
- Prolong exposure to radiations
- Any damage to the testicles
- Removed testicles due to cancer
- AIDS/HIV
- Cirrhosis of liver
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Adrenal gland insufficiency
- Hormonal deficiency due to pituitary gland malfunctioning
- Syndromes such as Noonan syndrome and Klinefelter syndrome
- Certain medications such as anti-depressants and narcotics
- High blood pressures
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- High levels of cholesterol
- Taking oral estrogen therapy
- Drug abuse
EFFECTS OF LOW LEVELS OF TESTOSTERONE:
Low testosterone causes a lot of health-related problems be it sexual or the overall psychological well-being of any individual. Sign and symptoms can be specific or non-specific. Suppressed testosterone levels can have the following impacts on the body:
IN MALES:
- Feeling of malaise and being un-well
- Inability to focus
- Forgetfulness
- Reduced lean muscle mass
- Low energy and depressed feelings
- Mood fluctuations (feeling of tiredness and sadness)
- Less endurance and strength in the body
- Low sexual desire (low libido or sex drive)
- Erectile dysfunction
- Reduced bone density
- Low testosterone hair loss
- Shrunken testes
- Reduced Semen levels
- Sleeping difficulties
IN FEMALES:
Apart from the non-specific symptoms females can also experience some specific symptoms linked with testosterone deficiency such as:
- Hot flashes
- Amenorrhea
- Irregular menstrual cycle
- Anemia
- Dryness of vagina
- fatigue
HOW TO CURE TESTOSTERONE DEFICIENCY?
In order to treat testosterone deficiency, one should treat the root cause for example if obesity is the cause, then weight loss should be considered and including strength work-out will further improve the situation. In terms of pharmacological assistance testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is the most commonly offered treatment. Different route of administrations is available such as:
- gels
- Injections
- dermal patches
- tablets or pills
- pellets that are surgically implanted and act as a slow-releasing hormonal medicine.
This therapy is taken for 4 to 6 weeks and is very fruitful.
SITUATIONS LEADING TO HIGH LEVELS OF TESTOSTERONE:
Certain situations can also lead to raised testosterone levels such as:
- adrenal tumors
- testicular tumors
- anabolic steroid abuse
- un-justified usage of fertility medicine such as clomid
EFFECTS OF EXCESS OF TESTOSTERONE:
Sign and symptoms will be discussed separately for both the genders:
IN MALES:
- acne
- changes in blood pressure
- excessive body hairs
- male pattern of baldness
- anxiety and irritability
- depression
- fatigue
- dizziness and headaches
- nausea
- fainting
- pain in chest
- difficult breathing
- polycythemia vera (excessive RBC production)
- peripheral edema
- stroke
- low levels of HDL (good cholesterol)
- BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia)
- Sleep apnea
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Pulmonary embolism
IN FEMALES:
In females it can lead to the following symptoms:
- Hirsutism
- Baldness
- masculinization
- irregular menstrual cycle
- difficulty in conceiving
- vaginal dryness
- anxiety and depression
- hoarseness of voice
- outbursts of acne
- infertility
- reduced breasts
- weight gain
polycystic ovarian syndrome and congenital adrenal hyperplasia are one of the common causes to produce excessive testosterone hormones.
HOW TO CURE EXCESSIVE TESTOSTERONE:
Question arises how to lower testosterone levels? A simple answer to that is curing the root cause is the key to success. If any external source or abuse is the cause then prompt cessation of that drug. Regular exercise and a hygienic life style with a balanced diet can help lower the symptoms. Medicines are also prescribed to cure the situation such as:
- Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) such as Gestodene and Desogestrel
- Gluco-cortico-steroids
- Metformin
- Spironolactone
CONCLUSION:
There are many low T center that offer solutions to the men problems, they have proper panel of doctors and can be approached to discuss any of the problems related to the low testosterone levels as it can lead to other health related complications and can affect the quality of life of an individual.