The hormone ‘testosterone’ is a crucial component of a man’s bodily functions. However, men can develop issues if the hormone is not readily produced, which tends to happen during the aging process.
So, what are the normal levels of the hormone and what happens to men if their testosterone amount falls short?
What is testosterone?
Testosterone is a powerful hormone found in men and women. It can boost energy, affect sex drive, control sperm production, enhance muscle mass, and impact on levels of aggression.
Any abnormality in levels can influence our wellbeing both physically and emotionally. This is why clinics like Balance My Hormones help men and women with testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) to reduce the negative impact of irregular hormone levels and boost the creation of testosterone.
Differences between normal and abnormal levels
But what are ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’ testosterone levels? Although everyone is different, a report from the American Urological Association states that men should have a minimum of 300 nanograms per deciliter of testosterone. So, anything lower than this might be a cause for concern.
Testosterone levels by age
Testosterone levels can change a lot and don’t stay at a constant from birth to throughout adulthood.
Boys first show physical signs of rising testosterone during puberty. For example, when their voices change, body hair grows and shoulders widen. Testosterone levels will then usually peak between the ages of 18 and 20 before steadily reducing as men get older.
Testosterone levels can lower by around 1% annually from the age of 30 to 50, which can affect some men more adversely than others.
The effects of low testosterone
Not having sufficient levels of testosterone is called hypogonadism. Although it’s normal for a man’s testosterone quantity to decrease as he ages, the effects can significantly impact his health and quality of life.
According to the Official Foundation of American Urological Association, nearly 50% of men aged 45 or over have low testosterone. Here are a few symptoms of the condition:
- Low energy.
- Reduced sex drive.
- Poor sleeping patterns.
- Weakened muscles.
Low testosterone can negatively affect us mentally and physically, so it’s worth getting help if you suspect you may be suffering from the condition.
How to treat low testosterone levels
The first step to treating low testosterone levels is visiting a doctor. Not only will they be able to put you on the right road to recovery, but they can also rule out the possibility that your symptoms are the result of another medical issue.
Your doctor will likely look over your medical history, carry out a physical examination of you and take your blood to fully assess your testosterone level.
If you have low testosterone, you may be offered Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT), which you can take via a shot, skin gel or patches. According to a report on Harvard Health Publishing, millions of people take prescription testosterone to boost hormone levels and reduce adverse symptoms.
Testosterone naturally lowers as we age and doesn’t always cause problems. However, if you think you’re suffering from the symptoms stated above, visit your doctor for advice.
