Testosterone is an important hormone present in both men and women. It’s primarily formed in the testicles and ovaries, and a lack of this hormone results in a lot of detrimental complications. Initially, testosterone levels are very high in newborn boys, but as they grow, it drops rapidly and rises again during puberty.
Importance
Testosterone is important because it contributes to a lot in the body’s development and maintenance. The main value that testosterone brings to the table is the development of the penis and the testes, which ensures proper reproductive capabilities.
However, this is not the only benefit you get from a good level of testosterone. Deeper voice (especially during puberty), facial and pubic hair growth, muscle size, growth and strength, bone growth and strength, and sperm production.
Misconceptions
For years, a long-running misconception of testosterone and all the rumors revolved around it has plagued men’s health (and even women). Although it’s no longer the case, in the past, people seemed to have that notion that testosterone was the hormone that contributed to aggressive behavior, impatience, and even violence.
Another misconception is that testosterone level drops as we age, but that is actually not the case. Healthy men can maintain a steady testosterone level for life, at least up to the age of 80. In fact, obesity in older people is more likely to be the cause of a drop in testosterone levels.
What is the Normal Testosterone Level?
Testosterone is the blood (S-testosterone), and the actual effect of testosterone on the body’s cells is affected by a lot of factors. Among these factors are the sensitivity of receptors to the hormone and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)
Healthcare professionals believe that S-testosterone levels of 12nmol/L or higher are normal, while S-testosterone levels lower than 8nmol/L are low. Levels between 8nmol/L and 12nmol/L are the gray area. This is when people should begin to watch their testosterone levels, ensuring that it doesn’t drop lower than 8nmol/L.
How Do I Know If I Have Testosterone Deficiency?
Although it’s a good indicator, testosterone value alone will not be enough to say whether a person is testosterone deficient. Every individual, even at the same age, can have very different normal testosterone values.
Therefore, health professionals’ medical assessment and evaluation is the safest and most accurate route to take to verify whether or not you have testosterone deficiency. Aside from this, however, a clear symptom of testosterone deficiency in men is hypogonadism, a condition where the testicles get very small. However, hypogonadism can be due to other causes like endocrine diseases and pituitary diseases, so it’s still not a clear indicator.
You may check your Testosterone levels through a simple blood test HERE. Or you can opt for special packages catered for men in our Hälsokontroll för män page.
Effects of Low Testosterone:
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Low Sex Drive
The first thing men notice when their testosterone levels are low is that they experience a decline in sex drive. Although this is normal as they age, an individual with low testosterone levels will experience a more drastic decrease in their sex drive.
A man may begin to notice difficulty in achieving an erection before sex or having spontaneous involuntary erections like sleep or waking up in the morning when he has low testosterone levels.
Again, however, low testosterone levels are not the only cause of erection problems. Conditions like Diabetes, Hypertension, a high cholesterol level, or even anxiety, stress, and depression might play a role. In this case, if you are experiencing such difficulty, we suggest that you take time to consult a health professional who may or may not incorporate hormonal therapy to treat the condition.
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Effects on the Body
Hair loss, muscle mass loss, decreased bone mass, increased body fat, and smaller testicles are also common physical symptoms indicative of low testosterone levels.
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Effects on the Mind
Constant irrational mood changes and a problem in regard to immediate and long-term memory have also been found to be common symptoms of low testosterone levels.
In recent years, there has been an increased interest for use of pharmaceutical testosterone among elderly men in Sweden. However, it is still scarcely studied if this use is conditioned by socioeconomic factors in the general population of elderly men. The prevalence of testosterone use in Sweden among 65- to 84-year-old men increased by 83%, from 3.3 per 1000 men in 2006 to 6.0 in 2014.
Resource: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26216248/
Citation: Bjerkeli PJ, Mulinari S, Merlo J. Testosterone prescribing in the population-a short social epidemiological analysis in Sweden. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2016 Jan;25(1):11-5. doi: 10.1002/pds.3836. Epub 2015 Jul 28. PMID: 26216248.