Testosterone is the main male hormone, responsible for the development of male characteristics such as beard and beard growth, more severe voice and increased muscle mass, as well as stimulating sperm production, being directly related to male fertility. Testosterone is also present in women, but in minor circumstances.
After 50 years there is a rupture in testosterone production, which is called andropausia, which is similar to a woman’s menopause; however, testosterone production in humans does not mean that it is sterile, but that its reproductive capacity is compromised because sperm production is compromised.
In men, degradation of testosterone production can cause the following symptoms:
In addition to sexual dysfunction, low testosterone levels in men can also cause problems such as osteopenia, osteoporosis and alteration of male fertility. Decreased hormone production is common in men and occurs mainly with excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, smoking, when you are overweight or suffering from diabetes.
Testosterone is also present in women, but at lower concentrations, however, when testosterone levels drop in women, some symptoms may also appear, such as:
On the other hand, when testosterone levels increase, women can develop male characteristics such as hair growth on the face and in the inner region of the muscles, close to English.
When symptoms appear that may be related to changes in testosterone levels, it is important to consult an endocrinologist, urologist, in the case of men, the gynecologist for women, so that the production of this hormone can be checked and, if necessary, start treatment.
The examples that indicate testosterone levels in the body are very specific and not always reliable because their values change constantly, depending on ethnicity, age and lifestyle habits such as healthy eating and physical activity and sedentary lifestyles, so, in all cases, the doctor asks. for the test to evaluate their blood concentration, based solely on the symptoms of the person.
Drugs based on testosterone and total testosterone are typically requested. Free testosterone represents the concentration of testosterone available in the body and can be absorbed and functioning in the body, which corresponds to 2% to 3% of total testosterone, which is the total amount of testosterone produced by the body. It is decided that free testosterone and testosterone attached to proteins.
Normal total testosterone values in the blood may vary depending on the age of the person and the lab in which the test is performed, in general:
Compared to free testosterone blood reference values, in addition to varying by laboratory, depending on the age and stage of the menstrual cycle for women:
Men
Testosterone can be increased in cases of early puberty, adrenal hyperplasia, gestational trophoblastic disease, ovarian cancer, cirrosa, hyperthyroidism, use of antiepileptics, barbiturates, estrogens and birth control pills.
However, testosterone may decrease in cases of hypogonadism, testicular withdrawal, Klinefelter syndrome, uremia, haemodialysis, liver failure, excessive alcohol consumption by men and use of medications such as digoxin, spironolactone and acarbosa.
Testosterone supplements should be used for medical purposes and can be found in the form of tablets, gels, creams and transdermal patches. Some trade names are Andriol, Androlone, Despamen and Sostenon.
However, before resorting to the use of supplements, it is important to look for alternatives that stimulate the production of this hormone such as the practice of physical activity with weight, increasing the consumption of foods rich in zinc, vitamin A and D, sleeping well. and maintain the ideal weight. If these strategies do not increase testosterone production, your doctor may recommend medications.
How to increase testosterone naturally
When testosterone is recommended and man has signs and symptoms of testosterone production, the urologist may prescribe the use of testosterone in pill form, injecting the gel to be applied as prescribed.
The effects of testosterone on men can be observed in 1 month of treatment and should feel safer, with increased sexual desire, increased muscle stiffness and feeling of strength, so testosterone supplementation might be indicated during andropause to decrease its effects, thus improving a man’s quality of life. Learn more about treating andropausia.
Your doctor should recommend the use of testosterone, which can cause health problems such as liver fat, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and atherosclerosis.
When a woman’s testosterone level is very low, the gynecologist may observe these symptoms and request an exam to assess her blood concentration.
Testosterone supplementation is only indicated in the case of androgenic deficiency syndrome when the ovaries may fail due to ovarian cancer, for example, when testosterone degradation in women is otherwise caused, it is wrong to try to balance hormone levels by increasing estrogen.