In men, testosterone is the primary male hormone produced mainly in the testicles, which helps maintain:
- Bone density
- Muscle strength
- Sex drive
- Facial and body hair
- Sperm production
- Mood modifier
How Testosterone Works
Throughout a man’s reproductive life, the hypothalamus (a part of the brain that produces hormones and regulates bodily functions) receives chemical messages from nerve cells in the body and the brain, and reacts to these messages. The hypothalamus produces several hormones, among them GnRH, which is then received by the anterior pituitary gland, causing it to release FSH and LH hormones. These hormones travel to the gonads (testicles).
LH stimulates Leydig cells, which are located in the testes. When this occurs, it leads to the production of testosterone. FHS stimulates Sertoli cells, which helps with spermatogenesis.
As men continue to age, specific changes in their bodies occur that coincide with a reduction in testosterone levels. Under normal conditions, this is part of the aging process. Much marketing effort has gone into promoting testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), and in many circumstances, the treatment is appropriate. However, TRT will not stop the aging process. Lifestyle, diet, exercise, and mental and physical health impact aging. There is only one way to see why testosterone levels may be declining and what is behind that decline. This information is provided by a blood test and a knowledgeable treating physician.
Results of Testosterone Blood Tests
During the 1980s, there was a resurgence in scientific research addressing Low T levels. Now, blood tests for a man can reveal whether there are Low T levels or High T levels. A low T level may mean a chronic disease or a problem with the pituitary gland. High T levels( without steroids or hormones) may indicate a tumor in the testicles or adrenal glands.
“Testosterone treatment can improve symptoms in men with significantly low levels of free testosterone, such as:
- Generalized weakness
- Low energy
- Disabling frailty
- Depression
- Problems with sexual function
- Problems with cognition.”
According to Harvard Health, testosterone is synthesized in the body from cholesterol (this function is unrelated to high or low cholesterol).
High Testosterone Effects
Problems associated with HIGH levels of testosterone or High T (often related to anabolic steroids or other hormones used to increase muscle mass and athletic performance) can cause:
- Low sperm count, shrinking of the testicles, or impotence
- Heart muscle damage
- Liver disease
- Fluid retention
- Acne
- High blood pressure
- Headaches
- Mood swings
- Polycythemia
It’s also important to understand the link between TRT and the prostate. Men undergoing TRT or using other ways to increase their testosterone should do so with caution if they have prostate-related problems. TRT may speed up the growth of prostate cancer. In men with existing benign prostatic hyperplasia, TRT may also aggravate the symptoms.
There is a natural decline in testosterone levels in the body as a man ages. However, conditions outside the aging process contribute to the reduced testosterone levels mentioned above.
Multiple conditions can cause problems with testosterone production—one such condition is hypogonadism (an issue that impacts testosterone production in the testicles or with the pituitary gland).
Still, a blood test is the only credible way to determine what is happening in the body. Additionally, it is challenging for treating physicians who do not specialize in TRT to comprehend low testosterone levels and the associated clinical signs/symptoms of deficiency.
It should be understood that there is no preventative role for aging in hormone replacement treatments. Studies are now showing that poor health, such as obesity and physical inactivity, has a strong correlation to reduced testosterone levels.
Seeking Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)
It is essential to emphasize that TRT must be closely monitored by the treating physician, who is aware of the benefits and risks associated with TRT.
According to the Penn Medicine newsletter, besides conditions such as hypogonadism and other related disorders, a variety of factors can also result from lower testosterone levels.
These include too much exercise, poor diet, serious illness, sedentary lifestyle, alcoholism, and stress. Buying testosterone supplements without proper testing should be avoided. Additionally, testosterone supplements are not an anti-aging cure, especially if one has normal testosterone levels.
Ways to Receive TRT
There are various ways TRT is administered.
- Gel (rubbed into the skin)
- Injection (given in a muscle or under the skin)
- Patch (applied every night to thigh or torso)
- Gum and cheek (a putty-like substance used on the gums and cheeks)
- Nasal (spray pumped into the nostrils)
- Implantable pellets (surgically implanted under the skin)
Feeling TRT Effects
It is difficult to state how quickly one can respond to TRT. Several factors determine how testosterone functions in the body.
These include:
- Proper dosage
- Estrogen (another hormone) levels
- Androgen receptor saturation ( required for proper absorption of testosterone in the Cells)
While every person is different, there’s a general timeline we can look at:
- 3-6 weeks: You should find that your libido improves within this time. Many people also experience a better mood and higher energy levels.
- 3-6 months: Erectile function will likely improve in this timeframe. If you have ejaculation problems, then they should also improve within the first three to six months.
- 6-12 months: This is when peak effects start to become noticeable in body composition and muscle strength.
- 12+ months: Improvements in bone density are the effect that takes the longest. It can take a year or longer to experience a significant increase in bone density.
There are many benefits to testosterone replacement therapy, especially if one suffers from one of the many conditions responsible for Low testosterone counts. The research is unclear about the impact on the body if a man with normal testosterone levels decides to take testosterone supplements to stop the aging process.
What Age for TRT?
There’s really no ideal age for TRT. Instead, it’s crucial that you understand your body and recognize the signs of falling testosterone levels. When it comes to age and testosterone, men begin to experience a gradual decline after the age of 30.
Even when looking at testosterone levels and age of 40 or 50, many men still have normal levels of the hormone. The gradual decline usually doesn’t cause a deficiency. However, lifestyle factors can affect the decline, making levels drop faster. There are also medications and certain diseases that can affect hormone levels.
It’s most common to see men in their 40s or 50s start testosterone replacement therapy.
Androgenix
Androgenix Advance Health and Wellness Center provides a safe, secure, and positive environment for discussing your concerns without embarrassment. We can help you understand the potential benefits of hormone replacement therapy. Our staff will help you every step of the way. Contact us today and feel better.
