Sex hormones of men are specific chemical substances on which the working capacity of the entire human body depends.
In the life of a man, testosterone plays the main role - it is a hormone that is produced in the male and female body. Only he has different indicators for both sexes. In the stronger sex, androgen is reproduced by the testes with the help of Leydig cells. Without this hormone, normal sexual development does not occur.
Testosterone is also called "male", the hormone of "winners" and "kings".In adults, its indicators form the sexual characteristics and functioning of the genitals.
Normal
The level of the male hormone depends on:
- stressful situations, depression;
- presence of infectious or chronic diseases, obesity, immune system condition;Age category;
- lack of mobility, irrational nutrition, ecology;
- bad habits( smoking, drinking alcohol, drugs)
- taking anabolic steroids;
- genetic predisposition;
Normal amount of androgens in the blood:
- promotes proper development and growth of the genital organs;
- improves spermatogenesis;
- forms male characters in character, body and behavior;
- stimulates libido.
Table of normal values of the hormone by age:
| Age | Blood norm, nmol / l |
|---|---|
| 0-1 years | 0, 42- 0.72 |
| 1-7 years | 0.1 - 1.12 |
| 7-13 years | 0, 1 - 2.37 |
| 13-18 years | 0.98 - 38.5 |
| 18-50 years | 8,64 - 29 |
| More than 50 years | 6.68 - 25.7 |
Total and free testosterone in men
Total testosterone is the sum of hormones in a free( unbound) and bound state.
Free androgen is 2%, and bound - 98% of the total. At the same time, 44% of 98% is a globulin-bound hormone( SHBG), and 54% is testosterone, bound to albumins and other proteins.
Free androgen is active, it is responsible for the proper functioning of the reproductive system and the presence of libido. A hormone deficiency can give rise to problems such as:
- fat metabolism disorder;
- mental disorders;
- heart problems;
- decrease in muscle and bone mass;
- impotence.
Depending on the individual and age characteristics of a particular male, the total androgen score is as follows:
- males 18-69 yo: 250-1100 ng / dL;
- age 70 years and older: 90-890 ng / dl.
Average free testosterone:
- males 18-69 yo: 46-224 ng / dL;
- age 70 years and older: 6-73 ng / dl.
Testosterone is below the norm
In men at the age of 30 years, under the influence of negative external factors, the active hormone can sharply become below the norm. And after 50 years, the associated coefficient decreases. After 40 years, the first drop in the indices of the associated androgen may occur, which is called the middle age crisis. The highest level of testosterone concentration is 25-30 years. Up to 50 years, about 13% of men have a male hormone in the blood below the norm.
Because of the lack of androgen after 55-60 years, it is difficult to gain muscle mass or get rid of excess weight.
Symptoms of low testosterone
Signs that the hormone in the blood is below normal:
- mutation of voice, higher timbre;
- decrease or absence of hair on the body and face( the exception is loss of hair on the head, which indicates an increased testosterone);
- obesity by female type( in the abdomen, thighs);
- depression, fast fatigue, nerves, insomnia.
- infertility;
- reduction of nocturnal erections, lack of sexual desire;
- increased sweating;
- decrease in muscle and bone mass;
- anemia;
- dryness and flabbiness of the skin.
If at least 3 of the above symptoms occur, it is necessary to consult a specialist.
Androgen is below the norm
Androgen below the norm can lead to various diseases. Such as:
- development of diabetes: due to low levels of the hormone decreases the sensitivity of the body to insulin;
- atherosclerosis;
- cardiovascular disease( may cause myocardial infarction);
- prostate cancer;
- infertility.
Androgen may be below normal for the following reasons:
- Psychological: adrenaline, which is released during stress, inhibits the production of androgen.
- Nutrition: an unbalanced diet can be the main cause of low levels of male hormone. It is necessary to exclude products that lower the androgens, and add more vitamins and products that increase testosterone.
- Harmful habits: alcohol and carbonated drinks, tobacco, caffeine, drugs negatively affect the level of androgen.
- Genital trauma.
- Age: after a certain age( 30 years), the testosterone levels drop every 1-2%.This is caused by age-related changes and has an irreversible process.
- Sedentary lifestyle: moderate physical activity and strength training increase the level of androgen. But too much exercise and the use of anabolic steroids leads to a decrease in the hormone.
- Consequences after illness and medication.
Testosterone is higher than normal
Signs of increased androgen level in the blood:
- aggressiveness, short temper, nervousness;
- excitability, excitement;
- propensity to violence;
- acne;
- increased hairiness.
With increased hormone levels in men, testicular atrophy can develop in the blood, which leads to impotence and infertility.
Dihydrotestosterone norm in men
Dihydrotestosterone is the most active and natural steroid hormone that determines the correct development of adolescents during puberty, acts on the formation and growth of male genitalia, the presence of male sexual behavior and erectile function. This powerful androgen is synthesized from free testosterone by the action of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. Dihydrotestosterone controls the process of cell division.
The main part( 70%) of dihydrotestosterone is contained in the skin of the genital organs and in the hair follicles. Therefore, the first sign of violation of the level of androgen is hair loss.
Symptoms in which it can be understood that the level of dihydrotestosterone is below normal:
- low level of androgens;
- impotence;
- hair loss on the head;
- decrease in the size of male genital organs;
The amount of testosterone in the blood depends on the norm of dihydrotestosterone. The higher the level of the first, the more it is fermented into dihydrotestosterone. It is necessary to control the level of androgen in the blood, which is regulated by the pituitary and hypothalamus.
The norm of dihydrotestosterone in men, table:
| Age of men | Dihydrotestosterone, pg / ml |
|---|---|
| Up to 10 years | 5-50 |
| 10-12 years | 5-50 |
| After 12 years | 250-990 |
To normalize the level of male hormone in the blood, a man needs to undergo treatment that will appointspecialist. It is recommended that:
- fully rest;
- add to its activities a moderate physical activity, a flexible way of life;
- rational nutrition;
- not take anabolic steroids;
- to abandon bad habits.
