Testosterone is the principal androgen, or male sex hormone, although it appears in both genders. It is classified as an anabolic steroid because it will bulk up body tissues and encourage the retention of protein by the body. In both men and women, testosterone is produced in the gonads, and it is derived from cholesterol. In addition to occurring naturally in the body, testosterone is also used to treat certain medical conditions, and some athletes take additional testosterone to help with energy.
In both genders, a testosterone production spike during early puberty helps to mature the body, encouraging the growth of body hair, sparking a growth spurt, and creating more oily skin and hair. In boys, the testosterone spike deepens the voice, causes the testicles to descend, and contributes to the development of other sex characteristics. Throughout the life of a man, his body will continue to produce testosterone, although the production rate will decline in old age.
Testosterone also contributes to physical differences between male and female brains. The male brain is actually larger, as are many other organs of the male body, because testosterone causes a greater growth rate. However, the corpus callosum, or connection between the hemispheres of the brain, is larger in females. The exact impact that this has on cognition and abilities is unclear, although numerous studies on the issue have been undertaken.
Therapeutically, testosterone is often used to treat conditions caused by limited testosterone production. A blood test can be performed to see how much the body is creating, and if a doctor deems it necessary, he or she will prescribe therapeutic testosterone. It is also used in the treatment of some cancers which have been shown to respond well to steroids.
Like other steroids, testosterone may be harmful in excess, especially when supplemental testosterone is taken without proper supervision; acne, highly oily skin, growth of some cancers, difficulty sleeping, and other complications are associated with abnormally high testosterone levels. However, a deficiency can also be harmful, and will have an impact on energy, and maintenance of general health. Most human bodies are able to regulate testosterone levels naturally, requiring no medical intervention. Some older men participate in androgen replacement therapy programs when their natural testosterone levels decline, in order to maintain their younger state of health and vigor.
Testosterone is a sex hormone mainly produced by the testes in men and by the ovaries in women. Throughout life, the higher levels of testosterone in men account for many of the male sex characteristics.
Some of the testosterone benefits include:
Enhanced mood
Reduced depression
Increased energy and vitality
Increased bone density
Improved male fertility
Increases production of sperm cells
Increased strength and endurance
Regulate distribution of body fat
Increase body hair growth
Reduce risk of heart disease
Develops lean muscle mass
In recent years, interest has grown in testosterone supplementation to decrease the effects of aging, however, additional research is needed to clearly define the benefits of testosterone in other healthy, aging men.
Low testosterone is a condition in which the body does not produce an equitable amount of testosterone on its own. The consequences of low levels of testosterone are many. They include erectile dysfunction and infertility problems, increased risk of diabetes, and loss of mass in both the bones and muscles. While low testosterone levels are more commonly identified as a male health issue, it is also possible for females to experience problems due to an inadequate amount of testosterone in the body. Several different therapies can help to alleviate the symptoms of this type of hormone imbalance, and allow the individual to regain physical and emotional stability.
Many believe that low testosterone is a condition that impacts men in the later stages of life. However, a male of any age can experience this lack of essential hormones. A male child with low testosterone may fail to undergo normal development of the penis and the testicles during puberty. The breasts may also become slightly enlarged.
In adult men, low testosterone can manifest itself in many different ways. While infertility and erectile dysfunction are often symptoms of low testosterone, there are a number of other symptoms that may be present. Irritability and an inability to rest are often present. In some men, depression and anxiety may develop, accompanied by the emergence of phobias such as panic disorder. A constant sense of fatigue, problems concentrating, and memory loss can also occur due to low testosterone. This imbalance of hormones can also pave the way for the development of diabetes and problems with cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Weight gain and impaired growth of the beard may also be present.
Women may also feel the effects of low testosterone. Females often experience mood swings, hot flashes, and problems with concentration. The nails may become brittle while the skin loses moisture and elasticity.
Fortunately, there are several approaches to hormone replacement that can help when testosterone levels are below normal. Oral testosterone replacement therapy is common in many locations around the world, although this mode of treatment is not available in the United States. An introduction of supplemental testosterone via a transdermal patch may be effective in some cases. Injections of testosterone on a regular basis also provide relief.
However, testosterone therapy will not necessarily reverse all the effects of low testosterone levels. In some cases, the damage is permanent. Testosterone replacement can prevent the development of additional health issues and minimize discomfort from any existing psychological problems associated with the low levels of testosterone in the body.
Although most people have fairly well balanced levels of the hormone testosterone, occasionally some have an overabundance. Those with high testosterone levels can experience changes in both physical attributes and behavioral patterns. Physical effects include increased facial hair, a deepened voice, acne and baldness in men. Behavioral changes associated with high testosterone include aggressiveness, irritability, intemperance, and compulsive behavior.
An increase in facial hair and a deepened voice are common effects of high testosterone for both men and women. Excess levels of the hormone essentially emphasize masculine characteristics and diminish feminine ones. Although both genders experience similar effects, the signs are usually more visible in women. This is because the masculine attributes of testosterone contrast more sharply with the feminine appearance of most women.
Acne and male pattern baldness are other physical effects of high testosterone that men sometimes experience. High levels of testosterone can overstimulate the oil glands. This overproduction of oil eventually causes the pores to become clogged, which brings about acne.
Male pattern baldness is also sometimes caused by excessive levels of testosterone. This is because the hormone that causes baldness is a form of testosterone called dihydro-testosterone. It's basically what causes the hair follicles to thin and eventually fall out over time. The higher the level of testosterone, the better a man's chances are that he will lose his hair.
Aggressiveness and irritability are two behavioral changes that can result from high testosterone. Unrestrained men in particular are more likely to become involved in arguments or conflicts when the hormone is produced in excess. This type of behavior usually leads to problems and can sometimes even lead to violent crimes being committed.
Overall compulsive behavior is often another result of high testosterone. The individual often experiences mood swings and his mind may also become clouded. His ability to think rationally is diminished and impulses are more likely to be carried out without contemplation. Many negative side effects can occur and often unnecessary risks are taken as a result.
Testosterone supplements are prescription or over-the-counter products designed to help correct a testosterone deficiency. The supplements may take the form of injections, patches, or some sort of topical cream or gel. Supplements of this type are sometimes used by athletes to promote the further development of muscle mass and endurance, although unmonitored and excessive use of the supplements is generally discouraged by physicians.
The most effective types of testosterone supplements are those that are available by prescription only and that are administered under the care of a qualified physician. There are several advantages to this arrangement. First, the physician can adjust the dosage as needed over time, making sure the strength of the supplement is sufficient to reverse the deficiency but not strong enough to cause side effects such as aggressiveness or insomnia.
Supplementation by a doctor also makes it possible to be assured of the quality and content of the testosterone supplements. This is not always the case with products that are not subject to governmental regulations. The chances of ingesting something that would have an adverse effect on the production of other essential hormones are much lower when using medication that has been tested and found to comply with safety standards put in place by a governmental organization.
While there are a number of over the counter products on the market today, many of them make claims that are dubious at best. Some of these types of testosterone supplements may provide some assistance, particularly if they contain vitamins and minerals that are known to help support the proper function of the hypothalamus, testes, and pituitary gland. However, many over the counter supplements that claim to correct low testosterone levels may contain combinations of herbs and animal matter that have no scientifically proven basis.
In times past, athletes have made use of testosterone supplements to help improve general endurance during sports and promote the development of muscle mass. Some of these treatments are administered under the direction of a licensed physician and are engineered to provide benefit with few side effects. This includes products such as testosterone injections, the testosterone patch, or the testosterone cream.
However, there have also been instances where testosterone supplements were used in excess, leading to the development of a wide range of bodily ailments. While a testosterone gel or injection is beneficial when given in strictly monitored dosages, excess usage of these supplements can hinder the body's natural ability to produce the hormone, leaving the person dependent on the supplements.
It is important to note that physicians tend to make use of testosterone supplements only when low testosterone is detected. The supplements are sometimes used to increase testosterone levels as the patient recovers from some sort of trauma or medical treatment that has inhibited the ability of the body to produce adequate testosterone levels on its own. Once the health crisis is passed, the physician can begin to reduce the supplements as the body begins to produce more testosterone naturally, eventually discontinuing the use of supplements altogether.
1. Mild (USUALLY no impending need to report to a doctor, but report if severe or if you are unsure): Stinging Sweat or Skin prickling, Edema (water retention in the body tissues), Increased Sweating, Increased Body Odor, Mild Headaches, Thinning of Temporal Hair/Front Hairline, Male Pattern Baldness, Intemperance, Soreness at Injection Site, Skin break-outs or mild acne (meaning rare flare-ups generally before the next injection is due).
2. Mild to Moderately Severe (Call your doctor): Moderate Depression, Some Mood Disturbances, Nausea, Anxiety or Agitation, Hot Flashes (while the ovaries are being shut down, menopause symptoms may arise), Flushing of the Skin, Injection Site Reaction, Breast Tenderness or Enlargement, Acne Vulgaris (cystic acne that scars).
2a. Side -Effects that show up in lab testing or clinic visit: Minor Elevation of Blood Pressure, Minor Increases in LDL Cholesterol Levels, Mild Decreases in HDL Cholesterol Levels, Slight Elevations in Hematocrit and Hemoglobin Levels, Higher than Normal Range Serum Testosterone Levels (average adult male T levels are between 300 ng/dl - 1,000 ng/dl <depending on the lab & doctor patient limits>). Much of these can be controlled by weight loss, reduction in the amount of Testosterone injected, or medications.
High LDL and Lower HDL can be remedied with the supplement Niacin. Beware: Niacin will make you flush, itch, sweat, and tingle all over if you take too much at once. If you have a history of elevated cholesterol and low HDL (good) cholesterol, ask your doctor about Niacin therapy. If this is an option, he/she will instruct you with how to use this supplement in order to be most effective and to build a tolerance to the flushing, itching effects. You can also buy Flush-Free Niacin. Works great; no flushing, itching, or sweating. However, flush free Niacin is not as effective.
3. Severe (Call your doctor immediately or family/significant others, call on the patient's behalf): Marked Depression, Severe Anxiety/Rages (this is usually a pre-existing condition that is exacerbated by the testosterone not caused by it), Yellowing of the Skin or Eyes, Nausea, Vomiting, Fever, Difficulty Breathing, Migraine Headaches, Flushing of the Skin, Injection Site Reaction, Black, Tarry Stools or Light-Colored Stools, Dark Yellow or Brown Urine, Frequent or Difficulty Passing Urine, Stomach Pain.
3a. Severe Side-Effects that show up in lab tests or clinic visit: Large Increase in LDL Cholesterol Levels, Drastic Decrease in HDL Cholesterol Levels, High Blood Pressure, Liver Enzyme Elevation, Dangerous Elevation of Hematocrit and Hemoglobin Levels (generally anything over 18 on Hemo and 50 on Crit). Some of these can be controlled by weight loss, reduction in the amount of Testosterone injected, or medications. High LDL and Lower HDL can be remedied with the supplement Niacin. Beware: Niacin will make you flush, itch, sweat, and tingle all over if you take too much at once. If you have a history of elevated cholesterol and low HDL (good) cholesterol, ask your doctor about Niacin therapy. If this is an option, he/she will instruct you with how to use this supplement in order to be most effective and to build a tolerance to the flushing, itching effects. You can also buy Flush-Free Niacin. Works great; no flushing, itching, or sweating. However, flush free Niacin is not as effective.