Normal Testosterone Levels and Symptoms of an Imbalance

What are normal testosterone levels? Ages, males, females, and more

From there, they might provide guidance on healthy lifestyle changes, such as the tips above. Or, they might suggest a treatment tailored to your specific needs, which could include health testing, hormone therapy, or dietary adjustments. Frequent marijuana use and alcohol consumption aren’t doing your T levels any favors, according to Houman. “Both can interfere with testosterone production, especially when used regularly or excessively during your teens and 20s,” he says. Research from the American Urological Association Education and Research Inc. suggests a link between marijuana use and lower testosterone levels. Meanwhile, one Journal of Clinical Medicine study reports that regular alcohol consumption can damage the Leydig cells responsible for testosterone production. To support hormone balance, Houman recommends cutting back on these substances or discussing a reduction plan with your healthcare provider.

Finally, it’s thought that this negative feedback loop becomes overly sensitive with time, preventing testosterone release, even when testosterone levels are not particularly raised [5]. But testosterone levels vary significantly between men — so knowing how to tell if your testosterone is high or low is not always straightforward. In this article, we look at how testosterone levels change with age, how to check your testosterone levels, and when it’s worth exploring further. Excessive steroid use can raise testosterone levels in the blood and decrease the function of the testes, causing a person’s body to stop producing testosterone. Even if you don’t have any symptoms of low testosterone, it’s still good to get a blood test annually, she says. If you are experiencing any symptoms as described above, you should definitely get your hormone levels checked. Most men focus on total testosterone levels when they’re trying to figure out if they have low T, but free testosterone levels matter, too.

She’s also the founder of Unalome House, a holistic medical spa in Severna Park, MD. Where your levels should be, how to know when they’re off, and how to test your hormones. The best way to check for low testosterone is to visit a doctor for a physical exam and a blood test. Testosterone levels reach their peak around age 18 before declining throughout the remainder of adulthood. TRT may not be recommended for people with a history of prostate cancer, heart disease, or frequent urinary tract infections.

Most of the testosterone in your blood is bound to two proteins, while a portion of it, known as free testosterone or bioavailable testosterone, remains unbound and active.

In women, testosterone levels also relate to sex drive, hair health, skin health, and cognitive abilities. If a man or woman has lower than normal testosterone levels, it can lead to many health issues that can impact your ability to enjoy your life to its fullest. Physically, individuals may experience reduced muscle mass, decreased bone density, and a drop in energy levels, which make everyday tasks more challenging and increase the risk of injury, says Bailey. Plus, across the lifetime, it can result in increased risk for things like insulin resistance, osteoporosis (low bone density), and cardiovascular disease, says Houman. Testosterone supports muscle mass, libido, energy levels, mood, focus, sleep quality, bone density, metabolic health, and more, says Houman. So, having lower-than-optimal testosterone levels can lead to a range of physical, mental, and emotional side effects, he says. Testosterone levels in men typically decline by about 1% per year after age 30.

Factors that commonly affect test results include the use of certain medications, substance use disorders, and exposure to heavy metals and other toxins. Blood tests give a baseline, but how you feel should guide your treatment. The symptoms of low testosterone can severely interfere with your quality of life in all areas. When you don’t feel your best, it takes a toll on your enjoyment of life and relationships with the people you care about. what does testorone do (sensitivecare.net) you may not understand is that it also significantly affects your health. According to medical research, it’s well documented that the ‘normal levels’ the medical community has been trained to use don’t provide optimal levels for most men.

The average male who reaches 70 years old will have testosterone production that’s 30 percent below his peak (5). But you don’t have to experience the negative symptoms that come with hormone declines. The most common type of testosterone test is a total testosterone test, which measures the free testosterone in your blood and testosterone attached to proteins. When people enter menopause, their estrogen levels typically drop.

Meanwhile, a 2021 study in European Urology Focus compared the testosterone blood serum levels of young men ages 15 to 40 in 2016 to those of the same age from 1999. After controlling for confounding factors such as participant race, BMI, comorbidity status, alcohol and smoking use, and physical activity, the researchers found average testosterone levels were lower. Research published in Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology also had similar findings. You can support your body’s natural production of testosterone and balance your hormones through curated supplements.