Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone. It is produced by the testes in great amounts and is key to various male bodily processes that occur from fetal stage to old age. Some of its most important functions include:
- Growth and development of bone strength and muscle mass
- Libido or sex drive
- Growth of pubic hair, facial hair, chest hair, and other body hair
- Deepening of the voice
- Production of sperm
- Energy levels
- Body fat distribution
In men, testosterone levels in the body vary per age. From birth to late teens or early 20s, men experience an increase in their testosterone levels each year. And, after 30s or 40s, they see a gradual decline in their body’s testosterone production by about 1% each year.
What are the normal testosterone levels in men?
The normal testosterone level of an adult male is about 270 nanograms per deciliter to 1,070 nanograms per deciliter, or an average of 679 nanograms per deciliter throughout adulthood. If your testosterone levels are good, you can enjoy:
- Increased muscle and bone strength
- High energy levels
- Better weight management
- Decreased fat
- Efficient cognitive skills
In addition, you can avail of a number of health benefits, such as:
- Good blood pressure levels
- Low risk of heart attack, stroke, and obesity
How do you know what your testosterone levels are?
To determine what your testosterone levels are, you should go through a testosterone level test. You should consult your doctor to know what it is all about.
Usually, a testosterone level test needs a sample of your blood. To do that, a health worker will insert a small needle into a vein in your arm and draw a small amount of your blood into a vial or test tube.
Once the laboratory gives you your testosterone level test result, and it states that you have normal testosterone, then you should be fine. However, if you either have low or high testosterone, you and your doctor should discuss right away how to proceed.
What are the effects of low or high testosterone?
If you have low testosterone, you may suffer from several side effects that can negatively affect different aspects of your life. You may experience:
- Reduced energy levels
- Low libido
- Difficulty getting or maintaining erections
- More frequent bone and joint pains and aches
- Weight gain
On the other hand, if you have high testosterone, you may encounter a number of side effects, such as:
- Acne
- Sleep disorders
- Inflammation of the prostate gland
- Shrunken testicles
- Decreased sperm count
- Aggression
Is it true that anger is a sign of high testosterone levels?
According to a number of studies, anger can sometimes be a symptom of high testosterone levels in the body. If you misuse testosterone therapy or testosterone boosters, your testosterone levels can shoot up to abnormally high levels, and cause a drastic rise in your aggression, anxiety, and anger levels. This is especially a common side effect of testosterone pellet therapy, as it is capable of pushing your testosterone levels way higher than the other options.
To avoid this predicament, you should talk to your doctor about testosterone therapy and boosters. You should get a prescription, and only take the recommended dosage. Do not attempt to self-medicate, as doing so not only can worsen your mood but also raise your risk of high blood pressure, infections, liver disease, and others.
How do you take good care of your testosterone levels?
Maintaining your testosterone levels is important to enjoy a healthy life. To avoid low or high testosterone levels in the body, you should try the following practices:
1. Exercise
There is a long list of health benefits that exercise can offer. If you do it on a regular basis, you can lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, and get a fit and trimmed body. You can also improve your strength, endurance, and stamina. By doing cardiovascular exercises, you can work your heart, and protect against heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, and other cardiovascular disease; and help improve blood circulation and blood flow to your penis for better sex.
Exercises can also enhance the body’s ability to produce testosterone. Men with low testosterone are urged to get into weight lifting and high intensity exercises, as these can boost testosterone levels in the body, and raise your physical fitness and athletic abilities.
2. Eat healthy
There are numerous foods that can naturally raise your testosterone levels. They are loaded with essential vitamins and minerals that can safely and efficiently facilitate your body’s ability to produce testosterone.
One example is ginger, which is rich in antioxidants and can help increase testosterone levels by as much as 17% if consumed daily. Another example is onion, which is loaded with nutrients and antioxidants that not only can help boost your heart functions but also enhance your total testosterone levels.
There are also several types of seafoods that are known to be good for boosting the body’s testosterone, and some good examples are oysters, shellfish, and tuna. Green and leafy vegetables, such as kale, spinach, cabbage, and broccoli, contain high concentrations of magnesium, which is a mineral that can improve your testosterone levels as well.
3. Manage stress levels
High levels of stress can negatively impact your testosterone levels. If you are often exposed to stress brought about by your working environment, school, bills and expenses, or family and other relationships, your body may not be able to produce as much testosterone as before, and, as a result, leave you with low testosterone levels.
For the good of not only your sexual and reproductive health but also of your mental and emotional health, learn how to manage your stress better. You should see a therapist or a counselor to figure out the different factors that cause your stress and find appropriate solutions to improve the overall quality of your life.
