Testosterone is a hormone made from the testes of men and ovaries of females as well as adrenal glands of both sexes. Testosterone helps to maintain muscle mass and healthy body fat levels, bone density and development, male sexual characteristics in growing boys and maintains a healthy libido in both sexes. Testosterone replacement therapy is given to men. If you suspect you have low testosterone levels, speak to your physician about testing your levels and treatment options. Testosterone therapy is typically not given to women because females produce low quantities of the male hormone.
Low Libido
Low testosterone levels lead to low libido and erectile dysfunction. Testosterone is vital to men's sexual health; without it, men can experience some feminizing of characteristics. Low levels of testosterone can also produce increased breast tissue causing gynectomastia or increased breast tissue. Low testosterone levels in women can cause low sex drive or desire. According to the American Diabetes Association, 70 percent of men reporting symptoms of low testosterone have erectile dysfunction or the inability to reach or maintain an erect penis.
Muscle and Fat
Testosterone bulks up muscle cells and increase fat usage for energy to keep you leaner. Testosterone inhibits lipoprotein lipase, which is an enzyme that promotes fat cells to store energy as fat. Testosterone increases fat release for energy and improves insulin sensitivity to promote muscle growth and mass. When testosterone levels start to decline, you experience a gradual reduction in muscle density and size. Testosterone is the reason why men are generally more muscular and leaner than females.
Osteoporosis
Lack of testosterone in men increases risk of osteoporosis. Just like estrogen for women, testosterone for men plays a critical role in maintaining bone health and density as men age. When you start to lose testosterone related to aging, called andropause, your bones lose more calcium than they take in. Between the ages of 40 and 70, your bones are the most vulnerable to calcium loss, becoming weaker and increasing your risk for fractures.
Diseases
Testosterone levels progressively decline with age and for men. By the age of 70, these levels are 10 percent of normal testosterone production of a 25 year old, as stated by Andropause.com. You also see an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and other age-related illness that occur as testosterone levels slowly decline with age. Lower testosterone levels are associated with increased obesity, diabetes, fatigue, lower cognitive abilities, depression and heart disease.
Fatigue
Low testosterone levels have been linked to lower energy levels and fatigue in men that need hormone replacement therapy. Fatigue sets in from the breakdown of muscle tissue and poor energy production. It is most often felt in the evening hours the greatest with the inability to stay awake, according to Edward M. Lichten, M.D., P.C. Testosterone is an anabolic, meaning a building hormone, and works within your body to generate new tissue, cells and make energy. Testosterone stimulates the use of stored body fat for energy, which is why you are leaner when your levels are higher.
