Chart of Testosterone Levels by Age

How Aging Affects Testosterone and Muscle Mass in Men

The half-life for IM testosterone was also shorter at 173 hours versus 240 hours for SQ testosterone. Mean testosterone values over a 7-day time period were 1,659, 896, and 422 ng/dL for IM testosterone SQ 100, and SQ 50, respectively. Abnormal testosterone during puberty can impact the onset and course of male puberty. In males who have finished puberty, low testosterone may be caused by thyroid or testicle issues or chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Testosterone levels don’t stay the same throughout your lifetime.

All these products require a doctor’s prescription and, except for injections, all are expensive. Explore our Comprehensive Testosterone Test to get a fuller picture of your testosterone status with key  components such as sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), albumin, total and free testosterone. If you do not notice any change in symptoms after treatment for 3 months, it is less likely that TRT treatment will benefit you.

No randomized controlled trial has demonstrated decreased cardiovascular events or mortality with testosterone therapy. Testosterone is the main sex hormone in men, though women have testosterone as well in smaller amounts. Hypogonadism, a condition characterized by low testosterone levels, can lead to sexual dysfunction, decreased muscle and bone strength, less energy, and lower fertility. The Panel recommends that clinicians use the same laboratory with the same method/instrumentation for serial total testosterone measurement. Where possible, clinicians should use LCMS to measure total testosterone levels to maximize accuracy and limit CV between tests in men undergoing testing, particularly in men with very low total testosterone levels. The Panel recognizes that not all laboratories use LCMS technology, and immunoassays may be the only measurement tool available to clinicians.

Some studies suggest that high testosterone levels may increase the risk of developing high cholesterol, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. This test measures the level of the hormone testosterone in your blood. Testosterone is a male sex hormone (androgen) that helps male features develop.

That’s why medications that lower testosterone levels (for example, leuprolide) are common treatments for men with prostate cancer. Men taking testosterone replacement must be carefully monitored for prostate cancer. Although testosterone may make prostate cancer grow, it is not clear that testosterone treatment actually causes cancer. It is possible to treat males for low testosterone levels with an injection or prescription gel.

Men who are no longer interested in conceiving may benefit from safe, monitored testosterone replacement therapy. Some patients with genetic issues that cause subfertility, such as Klinefelter’s syndrome, may also benefit. Everyone can benefit from an unbiased, listening ear now and then. I’ve referred many patients to see a therapist whose concerns resolve without testosterone therapy. Low-T clinics also tend to overtreat, making blanket recommendations around the patient’s total testosterone and not their individual health needs.

It’s responsible for facial hair, muscle mass, growth of the penis and testicles, and sex drive. It helps the testicles produce sperm and the penis to become erect. Before puberty, the testosterone level in boys is normally low.

Treatment often involves a combination of lifestyle changes and medication. In both males and females, testosterone helps maintain a healthy reproductive system, robust libido, and strong bones and muscles throughout life. It’s natural for testosterone levels to decline in both sexes with age. The most common symptoms of low testosterone are low libido (sex drive), erectile dysfunction, decreased energy levels, decreased muscle mass and brain fog, characterized by a lack of focus and mental clarity, Dr. Rogers says.

This search included articles published between January 1, 1980 – February 6, 2017 and yielded 15,217 references, 546 (enrolling approximately 350,000 men) of which were used to support guideline statements. «It is not accurate that testosterone replacement will improve fertility issues,» he says. Talk to your urologist about how to identify and treat male fertility problems. While testosterone is necessary for producing sperm, Dr. Rogers says, external testosterone replacement will lower sperm counts.

Changes in neuronal input to the hypothalamus and brain activity during puberty cause a dramatic rise in GnRH secretion. Low testosterone (male hypogonadism) what is the difference between free and total testosterone a condition in which your testicles don’t produce enough testosterone (the male sex hormone). More specifically, the Leydig cells in your testicles make testosterone. Speak with a healthcare professional about whether you should take testosterone. They will assess your symptoms and test your testosterone levels to help provide a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan, if necessary.