What is Testosterone and Why Do You Need It?
Testosterone – its role as an androgen hormone is often heralded in men, but just as important for women’s health and sexual performance.
What is testosterone going to do for the body that makes it so important for adults?
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As we delve further into what is testosterone good for, it will become clear that the loss of this hormone in later years of life can dramatically affect physical and mental well-being.
Hormonal health is crucial to the human body. Without it, many body functions may begin to break down. Since testosterone is a regulator of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in women and men its decline can affect anything that has to do with these two chemical messengers.
- What can happen if testosterone levels are too low?
Low testosterone levels in adults can lead to:
- hair loss
- skin wrinkling
- weight gain
- loss of lean muscle tissue and bone density
- changes in mood and demeanor
- memory issues
- high cholesterol
- other potentially serious health concerns
Older men with issues of obesity, diabetes, cardiac disease, dementia, atherosclerosis, and osteoporosis have a higher than normal risk of a Low T diagnosis. Women with these conditions should also ask to have their testosterone levels checked.
What is testosterone hormone going to do if too much is present in the body?
Too much testosterone can lead to the following concerns:
- gynecomastia (breast enlargement) in men
- testicular shrinkage
- male pattern balding
- infertility
- behavioral changes
- polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in women
- adult acne
- oily skin
- facial hair growth
Extremely high levels of testosterone in men are often due to illegal abuse of testosterone.
How Testosterone Affects Brain Functions
Testosterone is an extremely important hormone for the brain. It has been shown to lower beta amyloid production – a plaque that scientists have linked to brain destruction associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
What is testosterone and what does it do for daily brain functions?
In a report out of Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia, we see how the androgen hormone testosterone influences the following brain functions:
| INFLUENCES | INCREASES | DECREASES |
| Feelings of wellbeing | Spatial orientation | Verbal abilities |
| Cognition skills | Mental rotation | Anxiety |
| Mood and behavior | Aggression | Depression |
An interesting fact in the above box is that verbal abilities decrease with higher levels of testosterone. Some researchers believe that explains why females traditionally have greater vocabularies than males, as well as outperforming them in cognitive empathy, emotional intelligence, and verbal communication.
Some studies examined in a report by Harvard Men’s Health Watch have shown higher levels of testosterone improving cognitive test performance in older men, as well as better tissue preservation in some parts of the brain.
Impact of Testosterone on the Body
The impact of testosterone on the body should never be overlooked. No matter what a person’s age, testosterone is crucial for daily functions.
What is testosterone going to do for the body’s structural integrity?
Muscles: testosterone increases neurotransmitters at the muscle fiber site, stimulates protein synthesis in muscles by interacting with DNA nuclear receptors, enhances muscle cell receptor sensitivity to effects of free testosterone, and stimulates growth hormone responses that enhance cellular amino acid uptake and protein synthesis in skeletal muscle.
Bones: testosterone helps with the bone rebuilding process. Because some excess testosterone undergoes conversion into estrogen, crucial for maintaining bone density, it is vital to have enough testosterone in the body to support these functions.
Testosterone and Males
Men need testosterone for the following reasons:
- To maintain a healthy libido
- To promote drive and motivation
- To prevent muscle and bone wasting
- To keep metabolism and weight in check
- To prevent high cholesterol and triglyceride levels from leading to atherosclerosis, heart disease, and high blood pressure
- To support hair growth
- Red blood cell production
- To enhance brain functions
- For overall mood and well-being
Testosterone and Females
Women need to maintain healthy levels of testosterone for the following reasons:
- Vaginal lubrication and sexual desire
- Mood regulation
- Positive brain functions
- Heart health and prevention of anemia
- Weight maintenance
- Strong muscles and bones
- Balanced cholesterol levels
For additional information about testosterone and replacement therapy options for Low T, contact HT Medical Center for a free consultation.
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