By far not every older man is affected by a real testosterone deficiency with the corresponding symptoms. According to the EAU guideline on male hypogonadism from 2018, only up to ten percent of all men between the ages of 40 and 79 have a testosterone deficiency. Only up to six percent of men in this age group complain about clear symptoms.

How does testosterone work in men?

Testosterone is a sex hormone and the most important hormone in men. Because testosterone is responsible for the development of the male sexual organs and ensures the typical male physique with increased muscles, a deep voice, beard growth, and body hair. Testosterone also controls sexual interest and fertility and is involved in a number of other important processes in the body.

Women also produce some testosterone in the adrenal glands, but to a much lesser extent. In men, testosterone production occurs mainly in the Leydig cells in the testicles, but also to a lesser extent in the adrenal glands. It is controlled by the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. These brain areas release so-called gonadotropin-releasing hormones, which indirectly trigger testosterone production, especially at night and early in the morning. Therefore, adrenal fatigue can also be the reason for a testosterone deficiency.

Men with low testosterone levels – should they be taking top rated testosterone supplements? Testosterone supplements are often taken by men with low testosterone levels to increase their levels of this hormone. However, if you don’t have as much testosterone as you need, these supplements might be harmful. They should only be taken if your doctor recommends them and has tested your T levels.

What testosterone levels are normal?

Testosterone levels vary from man to man, changing with age but also throughout the day. Around 98 percent of the testosterone in the blood is bound to certain proteins such as albumin or sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). Only about 2 percent is in the free form.

Daily testosterone production in men is around 7 mg and in women around 0.7 mg. The normal values ​​for total testosterone are between 0.5-2.0 nmol/l (0.15-0.6 ng/ml) in adult women and between 12-40 nmol/l (3.5-11.5 ng/ml) in men /mL) .

Testosterone deficiency in men – values

One speaks of a testosterone deficiency in men when the measured total testosterone is below 12.1 nmol/L and the free testosterone is below 243 pmol/L.

Test all important parameters in the saliva from the comfort of your own home :

Hormonprofil Mann Plus. 1x Testosteron, 1x DHEA, 1x Östradiol,1x Progesteron, 1x Cortisol. Values ​​should be taken between 8-10 a.m.

Advantage of the saliva test: While the hormones bound to transport globulins and thus ineffective hormones are also measured in the blood, only the free and effective hormones are present in the saliva.

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Testosterone Deficiency: Causes

A lack of testosterone in men occurs as a result of a hypofunction of the testicles. This can have different causes. Rare genetic defects, such as Klinefelter’s syndrome, a testicular tumor, or congenital developmental disorders, such as Kallmann’s syndrome, can lead to reduced testosterone formation in the testicles.

However, acquired diseases such as severe inflammation of the testicles or severe forms of varicose veins in the testicles can also have a lasting impact on testosterone production. In most cases, however, a testosterone deficiency in men occurs as a result of increasing age. This is also referred to as age-related hypogonadism.