Testosterone is a hormone produced mainly by the testicles in people assigned male and the ovaries in people assigned female at birth. Your body transforms the dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) from adrenal glands into testosterone and estrogen. Testosterone is the primary androgen, meaning it stimulates the development of male characteristics. Levels of testosterone are naturally much higher in people with AMAB than in people with AFAB.
If you are looking for the best Low t clinic, search “Testosterone clinic near you” in any search engine to get the best result.
How Testosterone Affects Health
Testosterone is a hormone that can enhance masculine features in men and influence their sense of well-being and identity. In a man, this hormone helps:
- Keep bones and muscles strong
- Choose hair growth and where fat is on the body
- Make sperm
- Maintain sex drive and erections
- Make red blood cells
- Boost energy and mood
Causes of Low Testosterone Level
Starting around age 30 to 40, testosterone levels may decrease slowly. This occurs naturally. Other causes of low testosterone include:
- Medicine side effects, such as from chemotherapy.
- Testicle injury or cancer.
- Issues with glands in the brain (hypothalamus and pituitary) that control hormone production.
- Low thyroid function.
- Too much body fat (obesity). Ask your healthcare provider whether you need a test called free testosterone.
- Other disorders, chronic diseases, treatments, or infections.
Symptoms
It is possible for some men with low testosterone to not exhibit any symptoms. Others may have:
- Low sex drive
- Problems having an erection
- Low sperm count
- Sleep problems such as insomnia
- Decrease in muscle size and strength
- Bone loss
- Increase in body fat
- Depression
- Trouble concentrating
However, if you are encountering any of the symptoms as mentioned earlier, it’s high time to visit a good “testosterone clinic near you.”
Is testosterone a steroid?
Natural testosterone is an anabolic-androgenic steroid that promotes muscle building and increased male sex characteristics.
It is common for people to use the term “anabolic steroids” to refer to laboratory-made variations of testosterone that are injected into your body. Healthcare providers often use synthetic testosterone to treat and manage different medical conditions.
Synthetic testosterone is the primary drug used in masculinizing hormone therapy, a gender-affirming treatment for individuals assigned female at birth (AFAB) to develop secondary sex characteristics associated with being assigned male at birth (AMAB).
Many athletes and bodybuilders resort to the misuse of synthetic testosterone, also known as anabolic steroids, by consuming excessively high doses of the substance.
They do this in hopes of enhancing their performance or altering their physical appearance. However, this practice can lead to various unpleasant symptoms and long-term health issues, including but not limited to blood clots, stroke, and an increased risk of prostate cancer.
What does testosterone do?
Testosterone has various roles in different life stages, including:
- Fetal development.
- Puberty for male children.
- Adulthood.
Testosterone and fetal development
At around week 7 in utero, the presence of the Y chromosome initiates testicular development in male fetuses. The testicles produce testosterone.
During fetal development, testosterone stimulates the growth of male reproductive organs, both internally and externally.
Testosterone and puberty
Testosterone is accountable for many of the changes witnessed in children set male at birth during puberty, including:
- An increase in height.
- Body and pubic hair growth.
- Growth of their penis, testes, and prostate gland.
- Increasing libido (sex drive).
Testosterone and adults are assigned male at birth.
Testosterone is essential for the production of sperm. It also:
- Alert your body to produce new red blood cells.
- Assures that your bones and muscles stay healthy.
- Enhances libido (sex drive) and a sense of well-being.
What tests measure Testosterone levels?
If your healthcare provider doubts you may have inconsistent testosterone levels, they may request one or more tests, including:
- Total testosterone blood test
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) blood test.
- Luteinizing hormone (LH) blood test.
What happens when Testosterone levels are too low?
Lower-than-normal testosterone levels commonly only cause symptoms in people set male at birth. This condition is called male hypogonadism. There are two main kinds of male hypogonadism: classical (congenital or acquired) and late-onset.
Classical male hypogonadism is when lower testosterone levels are due to an underlying medical illness or injury to your testicles, pituitary gland, or hypothalamus.
For example, a person can be born with a disease (congenital) that leads to low testosterone, such as Klinefelter syndrome or Kallmann syndrome, or they can develop it later (received), such as from an something that varies the normal functioning of their testicles, hypothalamus or pituitary gland.
Late-onset male hypogonadism happens when the decline in testosterone levels is linked to general aging and age-related conditions, particularly obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Late-onset hypogonadism concerns about 2% of men over the age of 40.
Conclusion
If you’re seeking a reliable and accessible testosterone clinic near you, look no further. These specialized clinics offer a range of services aimed at addressing testosterone-related concerns, providing expert guidance, and tailored treatment plans. With their proximity, convenience, and dedicated medical professionals, you can journey towards improved vitality and well-being.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to a testosterone clinic near you and take the first step towards optimizing your hormonal health.
