Fluctuations in testosterone can lead to hosts of health problems in men. Here is some information about the same.
Medically known as ‘androgen’, testosterone is a vital hormone produced in large amounts in the testicles. Generally, it is said to be the male sex hormone however, it’s also found in very small quantities in females. Its secretion in blood is regulated by the master gland, pituitary. It is responsible for development of numerous primary and secondary male sexual characteristics in men. The Pituitary gland controls its level in our body by releasing the luteinizing hormone (LH). Any reduction in its levels is regulated by secretion of LH and the body tries to release the required amount of the hormone into the blood stream. Its normal levels may fluctuate (decrease or increase) depending on a person’s age or due to any medical condition.
Normal Levels by Age
The production of testosterone in males starts during puberty and is at its peak while they are still young. With age, its production starts decreasing owing to the aging process. Since it is a vital hormone, maintaining it at the required level is essential for proper functioning of the body. The readings of normal level may vary from lab to lab with minute differences in specifications and the standards used for testing. Even units of measurement that are used may be different. However, standard medical data picked from various sources, suggests the following as the normal level, based on age.
| Age | Testosterone Levels |
| 7 months – 9 years | Less than 30 ng/dL |
| 10 – 19 years | 1 to 970 ng/dL |
| 20 – 59 years | 270 to 890 ng/dL |
| 60 years & above | 352 to 720 ng/dL |
The unit used above is nanograms (ng) per deciliter (dL). As you can observe, the normal levels of testosterone in men over 50 are relatively less than those in younger ages.
High Testosterone Levels
In men, its high level can result in several health related problems. Some facts about these fluctuations are as follows:
- Higher levels of this hormone can increase the risk of prostate cancer or cancer of adrenal glands.
- Early puberty in boys is often due to increased levels of this hormone in the body.
- Its increased levels can promote overactivity of sebaceous glands leading to skin related problems like acne.
- Many people resort to intake of boosters to increase the hormone production. However, there are numerous risks associated with boosters that one must be aware of. Men should prefer natural supplements, if at all there is a need to boost the levels of this hormone in our bodies.
Low Testosterone Levels in Men
When there is a reduction in the levels of this hormone in our body, it creates numerous health problems. Here are some facts related to the same:
- Testicular cancer or tumor in pituitary gland may lead to its low level in the human body.
- Aging is one of the most common causes of its sudden decrease.
- Loss of libido or what we call low sex drive is generally because of lower production of this hormone. Men may experience/infertility problems if its level is low.
- It’s possible to boost its level by changing poor lifestyle and adopting a healthy way of living. It is possible to increase its level naturally in the body.
Maintaining proper level of this hormone is not a difficult task if one lives a healthy lifestyle and is focused on staying healthy. Medical experts advise men to go for monthly or quarterly check ups so that any possibility or risk of developing testosterone problems is avoided.
