There are many important roles that testosterone plays in a man’s body that some people may not be familiar with. As it is the primary sex hormone in men, it facilitates various bodily processes that help establish male sexual characteristics.
What are the roles of testosterone in men?
From birth to old age, testosterone is key to a man’s proper growth and development. It is essential in the following bodily processes:
- The development of one’s penis and testicles
- The changing or deepening of one’s voice as he goes through puberty
- The growth of pubic hair and facial hair, which begins at puberty
- One’s muscle mass, strength, and size
- One’s bone density and strength
- The production of sufficient quality sperm
- The level of one’s sexual desire or libido
How is testosterone produced?
Testosterone is naturally produced by the human body, specifically by the gonads or testes or testicles. It is also produced in small amounts by the adrenal glands.
From fetal stage, a male already produces testosterone to start the development of the different male reproductive organs. This continues through puberty, adulthood, and old age, to carry out many other important bodily processes, including:
- The creation of new blood cells
- Increase in height
- Enlargement of one’s prostate gland, penis, and testicles
- The regulation of the secretion of the follicle stimulating hormone and the luteinizing hormone
As long as your body produces enough testosterone, your risk of problems and complications that involve your sexual and reproductive functions is minimized.
How are testosterone levels in the body measured?
To know what your testosterone levels are, you should go see your doctor for a testosterone level test. This procedure requires a sample of your blood to determine how much testosterone there is in your body. Below are the usual steps on how the testing is conducted:
- Your doctor will cleanse a small area on your arm where your blood sample will be drawn.
- To push blood into your vein, they will tie an elastic rubber band around your upper arm.
- They will then insert a needle into your vein and draw some amount of your blood into a tube.
- They will remove the elastic rubber band around your upper arm, as well as the needle used for acquiring your blood sample.
- To prevent bleeding and bruising on your arm, they will apply pressure onto the affected area, and cover it with a bandage.
- Your blood sample will be taken to the laboratory to be examined.
What is the normal testosterone level in men?
In order for your testosterone levels to be considered normal, they should fall within the ideal testosterone range. According to medical experts, your testosterone levels are normal if:
- Your free testosterone levels are about 9 nanograms per deciliter to 30 nanograms per deciliter
- Your total testosterone levels are about 240 nanograms per deciliter to 950 nanograms per deciliter
If your free testosterone levels are below 9 nanograms per deciliter, or your total testosterone levels are below 240 nanograms per deciliter, you have low testosterone.
If your free testosterone levels are above 30 nanograms per deciliter, or your total testosterone levels are above 950 nanograms per deciliter, you have high testosterone.
Why do some men have high testosterone levels in the body?
There are several things that can trigger a rise in a man’s testosterone levels. The following are some examples:
Abuse of anabolic steroid
This commonly happens in body builders and athletes. To boost their muscle mass or enhance their athletic abilities, they rely on testosterone boosters, and often take more amounts than they should. Over time, the excess testosterone that accumulates in their bodies starts to bring harm and causes various negative side effects.
Tumors
If a tumor appears on or near your testicles or adrenal glands, there is a very high risk of experiencing an increase in your testosterone levels. As these organs are in charge of testosterone production in your body, the presence of a foreign element so close to them can result to them being unable to carry out their functions effectively.
Testosterone supplements
Without your doctor’s supervision, you are discouraged to take testosterone supplements. You should get a prescription for these things, and not try to procure them illegally, as they can cause serious side effects that your body may not be able to handle.
What happens if a man has high testosterone?
A man who has high testosterone in the body may encounter the following:
- If he is pre-puberty age, he may enter the puberty stage earlier than his peers.
- He may notice his skin getting oilier, resulting to more acne, pimples, and other skin blemishes.
- He may grow more hair in the pubic area, face, and other body parts.
- He may develop high blood pressure, which can be dangerous for his heart, making him likely to have a heart attack, stroke, or some other cardiovascular problems.
- He may experience an increase in his red blood cell count.
- His sexual desire or libido may be higher than before.
- He may display aggressive, intense, and reckless behaviors.
- He may become infertile.
How is high testosterone in men treated?
To get your testosterone levels back to normal, you should consult your doctor as soon as possible. The side effects of high testosterone levels in the body can be severely damaging if not addressed at the earliest opportunity.
If the cause of the increase in your testosterone levels is testosterone supplements or anabolic steroids, you will likely be advised by your doctor to stop taking them. These things can be beneficial to men who are suffering from low testosterone levels, but if they are taken in higher doses or without doctor’s prescription, they can put you in danger. Typically, it takes around six months after quitting testosterone supplements or anabolic steroids for testosterone levels to get back down to the normal range.
