When you’re trying to make the most out of your body (as you only ever get one!), there’s a lot of different stuff that gets thrown into the mix. You have to watch out for your chemical imbalances, as well as anything else that could throw you off of your normal routine.
So, What Exactly IS Testosterone?
Testosterone is a chemical messenger that takes its place amongst other androgens – it’s also the primary sex hormone in males on this planet. It’s produced primarily through the Leydig cells, which are located in the testicles of men (although women do also produce this hormone in their ovaries), a small amount is produced in the adrenal glands as well.
Testosterone is there to help sway the two different genders into their sexual development phases properly; it adds to the aspect of desire, as well as producing sperm. Testosterone has many other functions, and even professional athletes are using it to get an edge above the competition; but why is that exactly?
Why Do Athletes Care About Testosterone?
Males typically notice a decrease in the levels of testosterone they produce in their early thirties, and they can see a reduction by 1 to 2 percent every single year after that; women will notice a decrease when they are going through menopause. Often as athletes age they find their performance declining along with their T-levels. Supplementation can sometimes reverse those effects, temporarily restoring performance to peak levels or more.
You can check your testosterone levels with a blood analysis, something that can be handled at most local medical laboratories around your region. Just call around and book an appointment accordingly, though you may need to request an order from your physician to have the blood draw covered by insurance.
Why Is Testosterone So Important?
We already answered the question what is testosterone, but now we need to understand what testosterone does. Check out this article source for a ton of additional information about testosterone, including the science behind the hormones.
If you’re a male, this is going to be significant. Your testosterone levels can be a direct link to how “masculine” you are, and as the production decreases, you may notice undesirable changes to your body – less muscle mass, less strength, increased fat storage, decreased energy, stamina, and sex drive.
Conversely, if you have too much testosterone in your body, it could lead to having excess estrogen as well. That’s why when you see bodybuilders and their “shriveled up genitals” (no, seriously, that’s a thing!), it’s because the large amounts of testosterone they’ve been putting in their bodies is counteracted by estrogen. The body realizes that it’s produced way too much testosterone (due to the drugs), and automatically produces estrogen; it’s something that’s become somewhat of a running joke.
When you’re a man with too much estrogen, it can lead to things like having enlarged breasts or even just diabetes. There are several diseases associated with a male having too much testosterone in his system, and none of them are pleasant.
You have to have the right amount of testosterone, but you’ve also got to ensure that your body is producing it properly as well. When there are hormonal imbalances within your body, it can begin to play a large role in affecting your everyday life.
You don’t need to suffer in silence – if you feel like there is a problem with your testosterone levels, I would suggest you get checked out by a medical professional right away. We’re all just trying to live our lives one day at a time, and testosterone can get lost in the mix.
Tags: age, health, healthy, hormonal balance, hormone levels, hormones, Medical, medicine, testosterone, testosterone replacement, testosterone supplementation, TRT
