Conventional medicine only tests your testosterone if you’re experiencing symptoms of lower testosterone levels. Even if your total testosterone levels are in a normal range, your free testosterone can still be low. "Many studies that look at testosterone levels take an amount of people across these ages and test them for their T levels," says McDevitt. A guy in his 20s with healthy genes and no chronic ailments will have a higher testosterone level than a 55-year-old with ongoing medical issues. If a man's testosterone is below the normal range, it's best to repeat it once more to be sure before starting testosterone therapy - often staying on it indefinitely. The ongoing pharmaceutical marketing blitz promises that low-T treatment can make men feel more alert, energetic, mentally sharp, and sexually functional. Regarding mental health, testosterone may help certain people with their depression symptoms; this is especially important for patients with hypogonadism, such as elderly people, for whom testosterone replacement therapy may be quite beneficial . Low testosterone levels can lead to feelings of sadness or develop into depression. Male testosterone directly influences muscle mass, body hair, and overall body development and form. Testosterone is sometimes referred to as the "male" hormone, even though it’s a sex hormone that all humans have. Testosterone is the sex hormone most responsible for the male sex drive and libido. A decrease in testosterone levels is a natural result of aging. Even with an abnormally low level that is replicated on a repeat test, the decision to begin testosterone replacement therapy and the proper dose requires a careful conversation with your doctor. Also testosterone is known to stimulate growth of prostate cancer in men diagnosed with the condition. Men get started on testosterone replacement and they feel better, but then it's hard to come off of it. Marketers urge men to talk to their doctors if they have certain "possible signs" that mean they could need low-T treatment. By identifying limitations in existing studies and suggesting directions for future investigations, we hope to encourage the research community to pursue more robust and methodologically sound studies that will further strengthen the evidence base. It is also critical to comprehend how the Free Androgen Index (FAI), which is connected with bone density, is used; a low FAI indicates a higher likelihood of bone density loss . A higher level of evidence would be provided by a well-conducted RCT, improving the consistency and dependability of the results and providing a more thorough knowledge of the effects seen across studies, so we could find more evidence in the future. Testosterone levels in men can vary widely, though they generally decline in men after the age of 35 says McDevitt. To determine what’s a good testosterone level for your age, you also need to look at the clinical picture. But you don’t have to experience the negative symptoms that come with hormone declines. At its peak, during your adolescent years, a normal range for your testosterone is anywhere between 300 and 1,200 ng/dL (4). That’s when we start to check your hormone levels," McDevitt says. You may become pre-diabetic, or see your cholesterol levels rise, says Danielle McDevitt, M.D., a physician who specializes in hormones. Testosterone is a hormone that’s crucial for men’s health. Andropause refers to the gradual, age-related decline in testosterone levels in men. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor about getting your testosterone levels checked. But on the flip side, some studies have suggested that testosterone therapy—especially in older men or those with existing heart conditions—might increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.
