Are there benefits to having high testosterone levels? Testosterone is the key male sex hormone and plays an important role in many aspects of life, including how much fat your body carries around as well as how much lean muscle mass you have on your frame. In this article, we’ll discuss how testosterone affects women’s and men’s health—and what types of symptoms might indicate that you need more (or less) of this powerful hormone in your life.
First Off – What Is Testosterone?
Testosterone is a hormone that is produced by your body. It’s the primary male sex hormone, but it can be found in both men and women in different amounts. In men, testosterone helps to develop muscles and bones as well as having an impact on the brain and behavior. In women, testosterone helps with developing secondary female sexual characteristics such as body hair.
Are There Possible Drawbacks Of Having Low Testosterone?
Some common symptoms and health conditions are related to low testosterone levels, some of which you might not be aware of. These are:
- Decreased sex drive
- Fatigue
- Muscle loss
- Osteoporosis
- Heart disease
- Infertility in men
- Sleep apnea
The symptoms that are associated with low testosterone vary based on the individual and their age at diagnosis. Adults assigned male at birth who’ve been diagnosed with low testosterone are more likely to experience:
- Decreased sexual desire (libido)
- Erectile dysfunction
- Hair loss
- Shrinking testicles
- Reduced sperm count (azoospermia)
- Fatigue or lethargy
- Breast growth (gynecomastia)
- Increased body fat
- Decreased muscle mass
Reference: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15603-low-testosterone-male-hypogonadism
Testosterone is not the enemy. In fact, most of us need to have more testosterone than we do. Testosterone is a hormone critical for men’s health and well-being, and increasing its levels can be beneficial for women undergoing menopause, for example.
Let’s Get Into The Benefits Of Testosterone
Testosterone is an anabolic hormone naturally produced in the body, which is why it has been linked to muscle mass development. This means that having good amounts of it can help your body build muscle and increase protein synthesis, which translates to a faster recovery from exercise.
It’s also true that testosterone can improve sex drive (libido) in men and women. This is especially important for older people encountering a loss of libido associated with their aging process. Testosterone can help ease aging symptoms and improve quality of life.
Testosterone can also help you reduce fat mass and therefore promote a healthier lifestyle. It might come in handy if you want to improve your mood, energy, and sleep quality, which are beneficial to both men and women.
How Do I Know If My Testosterone Levels Are Low?
Knowing the signs of low testosterone levels can help you find answers earlier on. The first step in managing your symptoms is noticing them.
The next step to knowing if your testosterone levels are low is to go and get a blood test. You can find out which tests are suitable for you by looking into hormone testing from Private MD Labs, a leading blood testing service in America that has been helping people get affordable testing since 2005. You can order yours online without the need of a doctor’s appointment. When you have your results, you can then arrive prepared to your doctor’s appointment.
If an imbalance is detected, you can check all possible ways to balance testosterone levels with your doctor. These might include hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes. The following table shows normal testosterone ranges for people assigned male at birth:
| Age range | Normal testosterone range |
| Under 1 year old | Less than 12 ng/dL |
| 1 to 5 years old | Less than 12 ng/dL |
| 6 to 10 years old | Less than 25 ng/dL |
| 11 to 15 years old | Less than 830 ng/dL |
| 16 to 17 years old | 102 to 1010 ng/dL |
| 18 to 99 years old | 193 to 824 ng/dL |
Reference: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24101-testosterone
Conclusion
Stop believing your testosterone is the enemy. This hormone is vital to help you feel good, look great and perform better. If you’re noticing some symptoms of low testosterone levels in yourself or a loved one, don’t hesitate to look for more information and get a hormone blood test!
4 Key Takeaways
- Testosterone is a hormone that is produced by your body and plays an important role in maintaining healthy muscle mass, bone density, and sexual health.
- Testosterone imbalance can cause significant health effects, so it’s vital to keep them in check.
- The easiest way to know if your testosterone levels are low is by getting a blood test.
- Men and women should be aware of their testosterone levels as they can both benefit from their benefits.
Speaks from heart, always too passionate and driven by emotions. Spins the words with kindness & sharpness, intriguing your ever-inscrutable minds.