Fundamental Men’s Hormones: What You Need To Know

Androgen hormones play a crucial role in a man’s body. Secreted by the pituitary and adrenal glands, these hormones include dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and testosterone. While they are all crucial, testosterone is the primary androgen in a man’s body, and that’s because it is responsible for the development of male characteristics, such as increased muscle and bone mass, facial and body hair, voice deepening, and sexual function.

Testosterone also plays a key role in regulating mood and cognitive function, fat distribution, red blood cell distribution, and energy levels. All of these bodily functions carried out by testosterone can quickly come to a halt or become severely inefficient when men develop a testosterone deficiency. Such deficiencies are not uncommon in the U.S. According to a study published by Oxford Academic, 1 in 4 men aged 40 and over have low testosterone, which can trigger a variety of unpleasant symptoms.

What Constitutes Healthy Testosterone Levels in Men?

Before discussing what constitutes normal and healthy testosterone levels in men, let’s familiarize ourselves with how the male body regulates testosterone production. Along with the adrenal glands and testes, the hypothalamus, a small region in the brain’s center, and the pituitary gland, a small, pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain, control the amount of testosterone the testes produce and release into the bloodstream. When the testes, hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands are functioning as they should, most men under age 30 can maintain a testosterone level of 300 to 1,000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL), which is considered normal and healthy.

After age 30, however, most will experience a 1% decline in testosterone production and eventually fall victim to a testosterone deficiency by middle age. It is worth noting that aging is not the only culprit when it comes to the development of low testosterone. Excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, and certain medications, like opioids, chemotherapy drugs, and steroids, can trigger such a hormonal imbalance. The following can also elevate a man’s chances of developing low testosterone:

• Adrenal or testicular tumors
• Autoimmune disorders
• Being diagnosed with Turner syndrome
• Chronic stress
• Endocrine gland injury
• Exposure to certain toxins, pollutants, herbicides, or pesticides
• Low thyroid function

What Happens When Testosterone Levels Dip Too Low in the Male Body?

Whether the culprit is aging, an autoimmune disorder, a byproduct of taking certain medications, chronic stress, or something else, low testosterone can trigger a plurality of symptoms that can adversely affect a man’s health and overall quality of life. According to an article published by the Cleveland Clinic, a nonprofit academic medical center in Cleveland, Ohio, symptoms typical of low T or low testosterone include the following:

• Decreased muscle mass and strength
• Decreased stamina
• Depression
• Difficulty concentrating
• Erectile dysfunction (ED)
• Gynecomastia
• Hot flashes
• Infertility
• Loss of armpit and pubic hair
• Low libido
• Low sperm count
• Memory problems
• Shrunken testicles
• Weight gain

How Is Low Testosterone Diagnosed?

A diagnosis of low testosterone requires a physical exam. During such an exam, a physician will inquire about an individual’s symptoms, medical history, medications they are taking, whether or not they smoke, and their alcohol consumption. From there, they will order blood tests. The blood tests that help a physician determine whether or not someone has low testosterone or a full-on testosterone deficiency include the following:

• Total testosterone level blood test – This test, collected between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., measures the bound and free testosterone levels in a patient’s blood and provides physicians with a comprehensive overview of their testosterone levels.
• Luteinizing hormone (LH) blood test – This particular test measures luteinizing hormone levels in the bloodstream, a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that plays a critical role in the male reproductive system.
• Prolactin blood test – This specific blood test measures the amount of prolactin, a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland, in an individual’s blood. High prolactin levels are usually indicative of pituitary gland issues or tumors that often go hand in hand with low testosterone.

If a physician concludes that a patient has low testosterone, they will likely suggest lifestyle changes that can help boost their low testosterone levels naturally or recommend testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). In many cases, they might recommend both.

How To Boost Low Testosterone Levels Naturally

For patients who are obese or overweight and have been diagnosed with low testosterone, most physicians will recommend losing weight as a means of boosting testosterone levels naturally. And this is for good reason. Multiple studies, including one recently published by Harvard Health Publishing, the consumer health information division of the renowned Harvard Medical School, show that losing weight can ramp up testosterone production by as much as 30%. Regular exercise can also help, especially resistance and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) exercises.

The same holds for consuming a healthy, well-balanced diet. In a study published in Sage Journals, researchers found that a diet consisting of lean protein, healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables can significantly boost testosterone levels in men who are testosterone deficient. Lastly, getting enough sleep can also ramp up the secretion and release of testosterone into the bloodstream. Studies show that getting 7 to 9 hours of deep, restorative sleep each night can boost testosterone production in the male body by 10% to 15%.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy To Combat Low Testosterone

While lifestyle changes are enough to normalize low testosterone levels for some men, they may not be nearly enough for others. That’s where TRT can be beneficial. For those unfamiliar with it, TRT is a medicinal approach to boosting low testosterone that involves taking FDA-approved prescription medications. Examples of these medications include Androderm, Andro Gel, Aveed, Depo-Testosterone, Testim, and Fortesta. Most men notice significant relief from low T symptoms within the first few weeks of starting a TRT regimen. However, there are some downsides associated with following a TRT regimen. Studies show that some men experience TRT side effects immediately or shortly after starting a TRT regimen. Some of these side effects include the following:

• An increase in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels
• An increase in red blood cell count, which can cause blood clots
• Edema of the ankles
• Skin irritation
• Sleep apnea
• Urinary problems

In summary, testosterone is an essential male hormone, and many things can trigger a decline in its production. Fortunately, there are natural and medicinal ways to achieve and maintain healthy testosterone levels at any age.