Testosterone is one of the most important, but commonly misrepresented hormones found in the body. Most of the information provided to the public comes from exposes on professional athletes. Who can forget Marion Jones relinquishing her medals from the 2000 Olympics after admitting to using performance-enhancing steroids? This unfortunate trend has overshadowed the beneficial side of these hormones.
Testosterone is a messenger for the body. Like most hormones, it is involved in several different body processes both directly and indirectly. Testosterone levels naturally begin a slow decline around age 30, but several factors can alter this rate. Obesity, for instance, can increase the risk of low testosterone, which can make it more difficult to lose weight. Exercise is thought to improve and maintain healthier testosterone production with age.
As levels of testosterone decline, various symptoms may arise. Men may experience fatigue, weight gain, loss of libido (interest in sex), decreased mental sharpness, loss of motivation, mood swings or irritability and declining muscle mass. Research has linked declining testosterone values to several chronic diseases and risk factors, including heart disease and vascular disease [Source: Phillips, Muller]. Lower testosterone also correlates with worsening blood sugar levels in diabetics and decreased heart strength (contractility) [Source: Swartberg, Dobrzycki]. Other studies have shown worse heart function in men with lower free testosterone levels [Source: Dobrzycki]. Finally, there is an overall increased mortality rate among men with lower testosterone values [Source: Shores]. One study has even shown that certain men with lower testosterone levels may be at risk for more aggressive prostate cancer than those with higher testosterone levels. [Source: Morgentaler]
Returning hormone levels to a normal range can have profound positive effects. Many men will notice improved strength and endurance, as well as a return of libido and improved sexual function. Benefits also include improvements in symptoms associated with heart failure and improved stability and balance (essential to those with weak bones) [Source: Pugh, Orwoll]. With impressive supportive data, supplementation warrants attention from all men.
Testosterone levels can be checked through blood, urine or saliva, with blood tests being the most common medium. Evaluations of testosterone levels include a free and a total testosterone reading. Much of the hormone in the bloodstream is bound to a protein, rendering it inactive. The active portion, called free testosterone, can give a more accurate picture of how much testosterone is available to the body.
With so many symptoms associated with low testosterone, why is it not supplemented more frequently? Testosterone research has gone through quite a learning curve. Early synthetic versions proved intolerable when they were administered orally, which can often be hard on the liver. Experts began to worry that testosterone was actually harmful. Now the hormone is typically given through the skin, commonly in gel, cream or patch form. Injections are also available, which allows direct blood access, bypassing the liver and preventing complications.
Testosterone is not exclusively a male hormone. Women also have testosterone, but in smaller amounts. Females low on the hormone might also notice benefits with therapy that include greater libido and motivation. Stamina, mood and metabolism may clinically improve with treatment as well.
Current practice states that men with prostate cancer should not receive testosterone as it is thought to accelerate an active case. Note that testosterone is not thought to cause prostate cancer, but may speed up the severity of the disease. Men who are, or have been treated for prostate cancer are at risk for the fatigue and decreased libido of low testosterone as well. Since hormone replacement is typically not recommended for this group, other options are needed. A special combination of two forms of the nutritional supplement carnitine has shown equal effectiveness in battling fatigue and maintaining well being [Source: Cavallini]. This combination contains 2,000 mg of acetyl L-carnitine and 2,000 mg of propionyl L-carnitine. The heart benefits that are seen with testosterone replacement have not been studied with this combination.
As is the case with most hormones, testosterone needs to be kept in balance. Men with too much testosterone may notice shrinking of the testicles, and both men and women may see acne or aggravated mood swings with high levels. Testosterone can only be given by prescription from a physician. A treatment program should be frequently monitored through lab tests along with attention to potential side effects.
Read the rest here:
- Study Finds that Testosterone Boosts Memory for Uncontrolled Diabetics - June 24th, 2022
- Causes of Low Libido - Could It Be Low-T? - May 30th, 2022
- The Evolutionary Effects of Testosterone on Human Society - September 20th, 2021
- More Sex: A Better Way to Boost Your Testosterone Levels - September 7th, 2021
- Men Want to Know – Free Testosterone versus Total Testosterone - August 24th, 2021
- What is testosterone? - May 23rd, 2021
- Tribulus Terrestris Review Does It Raise Testosterone or ... - May 22nd, 2021
- Boosting testosterone levels (First of two parts) - May 8th, 2021
- How long does it take for Testosterone replacement treatments and therapy to work? - May 1st, 2021
- What Is Testosterone AndroGel - April 28th, 2021
- Low T - My life was falling apart because I had low testosterone - April 25th, 2021
- Deer Antler, HGH and Testosterone: Tim on Scott and BR Radio Show - Video - April 17th, 2021
- What is Testosterone? What does Testosterone do? Find on - April 14th, 2021
- How Testosterone Affects the Skin of Men - April 11th, 2021
- Testosterone, the Power Hormone - April 8th, 2021
- Testosterone Levels and Wall Street - March 27th, 2021
- Women can resist testosterone-fuelled political debate - March 12th, 2021
- BUSTED: Myths About Testosterone And Its Link To Sexual Desire In Men And Women - March 11th, 2021
- Attention Baby Boomers -- Could Testosterone be the Modern Day "Fountain of Youth?" - March 4th, 2021
- Declining Testosterone Levels in Men Not Part of Normal Aging - February 28th, 2021
- Quick Weight Loss Tips and Diet Recommendations for HRT - February 28th, 2021
- Testosterone and Alcohol: Your Health and the Holiday Season - February 27th, 2021
- Testosterone builds muscle but has risks - February 25th, 2021
- New Study Finds That Testosterone Does Not Increase Cardiovascular Risk - February 22nd, 2021
- Evidence Suggests Testosterone Plays Powerful Role in Motivating Revolutionary Change - February 15th, 2021
- The Effects of Parenthood Upon Testosterone Levels - January 9th, 2021
- Testicular Cancer Survivors are at Risk for Low Testosterone - January 6th, 2021
- Amygdala and it's Relationship to Testosterone and Fear - December 25th, 2020
- Testosterone Does Not Cause Atherosclerosis (Hardening of the Arteries) in Older Men - December 24th, 2020
- Increased Testosterone DOES NOT Cause Prostate Cancer to Spread - December 23rd, 2020
- Testosterone Cypionate and Testosterone Enanthate: The Real Facts - December 20th, 2020
- A Surprising Side Effect of Methadone Treatment: Suppressed Testosterone - December 18th, 2020
- The Testosterone Industry Globally is Booming - December 12th, 2020
- Five Benefits of Testosterone That You Need to Know - December 11th, 2020
- Testosterone Nasal Gel: A New Form of Testosterone Replacement Therapy - December 5th, 2020
- New Research Proves Testosterone Replacement Therapy is Safe for the Heart - December 3rd, 2020
- Skinny Bartender with Low Testosterone Becomes a Ripped Bodybuilder - December 3rd, 2020
- Low-T and Your Health - November 30th, 2020
- Low Testosterone Levels may Affect Man's Sex Drive and Affect his Intimate Relationships - November 19th, 2020
- Is Testosterone the New Drug of Choice on Wall Street? How Traders are Using Male Hormone Booster Shots to Maintain a ... - November 12th, 2020
- Shorter course of ADT for high-risk prostate cancer patients yields improved quality of life - November 11th, 2020
- Testosterone Litigation: What You Need To Know - MTMP - Video - November 9th, 2020
- Methadone Lowers Testosterone in Men Only - November 8th, 2020
- Intricate relationship between Oestrogen & Testosterone XXY Guys (Klinefelters' syndrome) - Video - November 7th, 2020
- Should middle-aged men consider 'low T' treatment? - November 5th, 2020
- Testosterone and Crime: What Can Genes Tell Us About Behavior? - Video - October 25th, 2020
- Testosterone shown to help sexually frustrated women - October 22nd, 2020
- Testosterone levels seen prior to birth in fetus' fingers, jawline - October 20th, 2020
- Tri-Blend Testosterone. Understanding the Benefits of Testosterone Oils - October 19th, 2020
- Testosterone levels in older men - October 17th, 2020
- Tlando Testosterone Clinical Trial for Low-T and Fatty Liver Disease - October 4th, 2020
- Testosterone Focus in Diabetes Study – Video - September 30th, 2020
- Testshock Review All Natural Testosterone Enhancement – Video - September 30th, 2020
- Testosterone, Anxiety, and Depression - September 30th, 2020
- Average Testosterone Levels Decreasing Over Time Among Younger American Men - August 21st, 2020
- Testosterone Creams for Low Testosterone Treatment and Andropause - August 10th, 2020
- Testosterone Therapy and Androgen Deficiency Guide - August 6th, 2020
- Testosterone's Surprising Link to Men's 'Love Hormone' Oxytocin - August 5th, 2020
- Fortesta Brand Testosterone Therapy - August 3rd, 2020
- Andropause: Age-Associated Testosterone Decline - August 1st, 2020
- How to Build Muscle Quickly by Boosting Testosterone Levels - July 29th, 2020
- Testosterone Deficiency Strongly Linked to Heart Attack Risk in New Study - July 26th, 2020
- Seven Types of Drugs That Can Inhibit Sex Drive and Libido - July 22nd, 2020
- Testosterone and Geriatric Frailty - July 21st, 2020
- Testosterone and Aggression: How T-Levels Impact Human Response to External, Social Threats - July 12th, 2020
- High-Dose Testosterone Injections May Be a Viable Palliative Late-Stage Prostate Cancer Treatment - July 12th, 2020
- Could Civilization Have Been Formed as a Result of Declining Testosterone Levels in Males? - July 6th, 2020
- Testosterone Therapy Allows Man to Have the Body That He Was Meant to Have - July 5th, 2020
- Testosterone Injections for Low-T and Andropause - July 4th, 2020
- Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) Reduces the Risk of Serious Adverse Health Consequences! - June 30th, 2020
- Testosterone not always to blame - Sat, 04 Aug 2012 PST - June 28th, 2020
- Five Facts About Testosterone (That Maybe You Didn't Know) - June 27th, 2020
- Manhood Washed Away: You Could Unknowingly be Annihilating Your Testosterone - June 23rd, 2020
- Testosterone: Should You Take it to Regain Your Libido and Youthful Energy? - June 22nd, 2020
- Testosterone Replacement Therapy Boosts Aerobic Capacity - June 15th, 2020
- Physiology of Testosterone - June 9th, 2020
- The Truth Behind Common Male Sex Myths - May 26th, 2020
- Dr. Andre Berger on Testosterone Deficiency in Men - Andropause Symptoms and Treatment By Doctor's Desk Series - May 21st, 2020
- How to Raise Testosterone Naturally. Sermorelin - Some Have Called It A The New Fountain of Youth. A Natural Cure for Anxiety and Depression. - May 9th, 2020
- Are Athletes Using Green Tea to Mask Testosterone Doping? - May 7th, 2020
Word Count: 723