What is Testosterone Hormone & How Does It Affects Men’s Body?

Updated on September 24, 2023

Testosterone (T) is basically an androgen hormone that ovaries, testes, and adrenal cortex produce. It is normally regarded as the primary sex hormone assigned to male children at birth.

It initiates the development of secondary sex characteristics, which are related to males, and it’s vital in sperm production.

Healthy assigned males who have reached puberty stage usually have 15 times the level of this hormone compared to healthy assigned females at birth.

According to experts at Livv Natural, imbalance of testosterone may result in infertility in both male and female genders. A low testosterone level in cisgenders men may lead to infertility, while a high level is associated with infertility in women.

You can evaluate testosterone levels with blood samples. This also determines infertility workup in both female and male genders.

Production and Secretion of Testosterone

The pituitary gland and hypothalamus control how much testosterone your testes secrete and produce. During hormone production, the hypothalamus sends signals to the pituitary gland so as to produce gonadotrophic substances. These substances include luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone.

LH (luteinizing hormone) initiates the production of testosterone. If you produce a high testosterone level, the hypothalamus will alert the pituitary gland to produce less LH that signals the testes to release a low level of testosterone.

Cardiovascular and Testosterone

The relationship existing between (CVD) cardiovascular disease and testosterone is complex. Some studies show that testosterone is associated with heart attack and stroke.

Men with a low T are at a greater risk of getting cardiovascular disease. However, it’s not yet confirmed that if this risk is because of low T or men with a low level of testosterone are likely to have other health conditions associated with CVD, like:

  • High cholesterol
  • Obesity
  • High blood pressure
  • Bone mass

What’s the Normal Level of Testosterone?

Regardless of what the constant flow of ads tells you, you don’t have to hit a particular testosterone level to be a real man.

On average, the level of testosterone ranging between 300 and 1,000 ng/dl (nanograms per deciliter) is normal.

Though a healthy level depends on your bioavailable testosterone level, age, and lifestyle. Most clinics calculate bioavailable testosterone by measuring the levels of sex hormone that binds albumin and globulin.

High Level of Testosterone

While often thought otherwise, having a high level of this hormone is uncommon in men. For men who have a higher level of testosterone, they may experience a vast range of issues. 

These problems include acne, insomnia, high cholesterol, blood clots, heart attack, liver disease, headaches, and weight gain, just to name a few.

Too much testosterone can also negatively affect your mood, ranging from euphoria, delusions, and impaired judgment to irritability and mood swings.

What is the Positive Side of High Testosterone?

There are many benefits that men with a high level of testosterone get. Apart from normalizing blood pressure, a high level of testosterone will lower the likelihood of:

  • Heart attacks
  • Obesity

Low Level of Testosterone in Men

The level of testosterone in men gradually decreases naturally as they age. Testosterone levels may start to decrease when men reach thirty years old, and then a decline of around 1% every year begins when they hit 45 years.

Some lifestyle factors also affect the production of testosterone, including not healthy foods or excising a lot. In fact, obesity is strongly associated with low levels of testosterone.

Symptoms and Signs of Low T

Low testosterone levels in men may result in symptoms, which can affect different aspects of wellbeing and health. 

Most men who experience a decline in testosterone report insomnia and sleep disturbances, issues associated with sexual desires/performance, and emotional changes, like depression. Apart from these symptoms, some men can face changes in:

  • Weight gain
  • Decreased strength
  • Fertility
  • Muscle mass

Diagnosing and Testing Low Testosterone

Low testosterone is diagnosed with a blood test, which measures the level of this hormone in the body. You can perform the test in the morning when testosterone levels tend to be high in young men.

Why it’s done

A high level is related to early puberty, whereas a low level can indicate delays in sex development. The test is used to check for disease or damage of the testes, pituitary gland, or adrenal glands.

In adults and teens, testosterone levels may enable doctors to determine the sexual function and menstrual or fertility issues.

Testosterone Therapy

Testosterone therapy also referred to as androgen replacement therapy is used to treat low testosterone (hypogonadism).

A few prescription testosterone products are readily available to handle hypogonadism. These testosterone products usually come in various forms, including:

  • Pellets
  • Pills
  • Patches
  • Injectable solutions
  • Gels

Why (TT) Testosterone Therapy

You might need testosterone therapy when you have a low T. Both the AUA and FDA suggest that you can use this therapy to handle conditions you are born with, like Klinefelter syndrome.

You will also need the therapy if you lose or harm your testicles and when they are removed due to an illness like cancer.

Medical Treatment

Some medications may result in a decrease or increase in the level of testosterone. You might want to talk to your doctor about these concerns and possibilities.

While lifestyle and diet changes might help, you will require hormone therapy or replacement to handle your problem.

In the case of an underlying condition, which causes too little or too much testosterone, it would be best to know the exact cause and look for the right treatment.

Impacts of Testosterone in Men

A male starts to produce this hormone as early as two months after birth. The level of this hormone increases during puberty, reaches its peak during the late teen years, and level off afterward.

Generally, testosterone levels impact everything in men, including bone density, muscle mass, reproductive system, certain behaviors, and sexuality.

Concluding Remarks

Testosterone is more commonly related to sex drivers in men. It may also affect their fat storage, red blood cell production, muscle mass, and mental health.

Abnormally high or low levels may impact a man’s physical and mental health. A doctor may check the level of this hormone with a blood test and provide therapy if it’s low.

The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.