Hormones are chemical messengers produced by glands in the body and transported through the bloodstream to stimulate other organs. Hormones are essential for healthy growth, reproduction, and overall well-being. Androgens are male sex hormones that develop during puberty and are required for a boy to mature into a sexually grown adult capable of reproduction.
What is Testosterone?
Testosterone is the most essential androgen (male sex hormone), and it is required for normal sexual and reproductive function. Testosterone is required for physical changes that occur throughout puberty, such as the growth of the penis and testicles, as well as adult male characteristics such as facial and body hair and a manly build. Testosterone also affects cells in the testicles, causing them to produce sperm.
Testosterone is also necessary for optimum health in general. It promotes bone and muscle growth as well as mood and libido (sex drive). Some testosterone is converted to oestrogen, the female sex hormone, which is beneficial to men’s bone health. The testes are the principal producers of testosterone. The adrenal glands, which are walnut-sized glands that sit on top of the kidneys, also produce a small amount of testosterone.
The controlling impact of hormones over tests?
Male hormones and sperm production are controlled by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus, which are located near the base of the brain. The pituitary gland produces two essential messenger hormones that act on the testes: luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). LH is required for the testes’ Secreted cells to produce testosterone. The pituitary gland’s testosterone and FSH subsequently combine to produce sperm in the testes’ seminiferous tubules (sperm-producing vessels).
Androgen (or testosterone) deficiency
When the body is unable to produce enough testosterone for normal function, androgen insufficiency occurs. Androgen deficiency can influence your quality of life, yet it is not a life-threatening condition.
Testing laboratories and doctors employ a reference range to determine whether a person’s hormone levels have dropped or become excessive and whether therapy is required. Nanomolar units are used to measure testosterone. For healthy, young adult men, the ‘normal’ testosterone average range is about 8 to 27 nanomolars, but these levels vary depending on measuring techniques.
Genetic diseases, medical conditions, or injury to the testes or pituitary gland can all lead to androgen deficiency. Androgen shortage occurs when there are issues with hormone secretion in the brain or in the testes. Klinefelter’s syndrome is a chromosomal disease that causes androgen insufficiency. Androgen deficiency is generally underdiagnosed, resulting in many men missing out on the advantages of treatment. About one out of every ten older men has testosterone levels that are lower than in young men, but this is mainly tied to chronic disease and obesity.
Impact Of Age On Testosterone Levels
Between the ages of 20 and 30, men’s levels of testosterone are at their maximum range. Testosterone levels decline gradually as men age; between 30 and 80 years of age, they may drop by up to one-third. Some men’s testosterone levels will drop more as they age, particularly if they are overweight or have other persistent (long-term) medical issues. Healthy middle-aged men with normal body weight, on the other hand, may not notice a reduction in serum testosterone levels.
The symptoms of androgen deficiency
- Low energy levels
- Poor concentration
- Low sex drive
- Mood swings,
- Reduced muscle strength
- Irritability
How is Testosterone deficiency diagnosed? A complete medical examination and at least two blood tests (collected in the morning on specific days) to measure hormone levels are required for a diagnosis of Testosterone shortage. Symptoms should not be used to make a diagnosis
