The main sex hormone in the male body is testosterone, without which full sexual development is impossible. Total testosterone consists of free and bound testosterone. The proportion of bound testosterone is 98%, the remaining 2% is free testosterone, which is an active hormonal form.
The role of free testosterone and its norm
Testosterone hormone is of great importance in the activity and development of the male body. It is produced mainly in the pubertal gland of the testicles and slightly in the adrenal cortex. It performs a lot of vital for the male body functions:
- Regulates spermatozoa formation and maturation, controls spermatogenesis;
- Regulates the exchange of phosphorus and nitrogen compounds;
- is responsible for the full development of the reproductive system;
- Manages secondary male sexual characteristics such as hair on the chin, armpits, groin, chest and abdomen, male voice, etc.;
- Affects sexual behavior, stimulates sexuality, determines sexual activity;
- Controls bone density;
- Provides normal reproductive and fertility;
- Participates in the formation of behavioral and psychological male characteristics.
Testosterone hormone is not capable of independently acting on the body, first it interacts with a lot of enzyme substances, undergoes various chemical transformations. Free testosterone form is responsible for sexual attraction, and with its deficiency, impotence inevitably develops.
Testosterone is the basis of male sexual health, as the deficiency of this hormonal substance, like its excessive content, can lead to serious violations of erectile and sexual function.
This androgen accumulates in organs whose activity depends on the level of the hormone: in the prostate, testes, testicular appendages. The testosterone level is determined by a blood test, where:
- ¹ / ₃-¾ the proportion of testosterone hormone is associated with globulin proteins, a similar androgenic form does not play a biological role;
- ¼-¾ of total testosterone is associated with albumin proteins, such androgens take an active part in organic processes taking place at a given time;
- And only about 1-2% of testosterone is in free( unbound) form. He becomes a participant in various kinds of organic processes, penetrates into cells and enters into the reactions that take place in them.
Andrologists have established a certain norm of this androgenic form, which can vary according to the age characteristics of the male body. The maximum level of this substance reaches 25-30 years of age, and after 50 it is produced much less. Interesting fact is that the content of this hormone affects even the time of day. So, at 4-8 o'clock in the evening, the minimum content of the hormone is observed, and at 4-8 am - the maximum.
Deficiency of active hormones
If free testosterone in the body is present in insufficient quantity, then the following symptoms may be observed in a man:
- Pathological weakness of muscle tone;
- Gynecomastic signs( breast augmentation);
- Reduced hairiness on the chest, face, until its complete absence;
- Reduction of intellectual, intellectual activity;
- Obesity;
- Shortness of breath;
- Hot flashes, sudden fever or redness of the face;
- Depression of erectile function, decreased sexual desire;
- Hyperpotency, etc.
Causes of deficiency in unbound testosterone
In medicine, there is a special concept - hypogonadism, which means a lowered testosterone level. A similar condition can develop due to several factors:
- Pathological - when a decreased production of testosterone is caused by any disease( cryptorchidism, bronchial asthma or diabetes, atherosclerosis, cirrhosis, alcoholism, obesity, myocardial ischaemia or hypertension);
- Traumatic - when the hormonal deficiency develops as a result of trauma to the organs of the reproductive system;
- Psychological - in a stressful state, there is an adrenaline release, which has an overwhelming effect on the synthesis of testosterone;
- Medicamentous - when the causes of deficiency are caused by surgery or medication;
- Age - hormonal output decreases after 30;
- Incorrect nutrition, lifestyle - testosterone level falls with inactive hypodynamic life, as well as with abuse of cholesterol products, fast food, caffeine, spices( sugar, salt, etc.), fatty milk, soda, etc.
What is dangerous is the deficiency of active testosterone
Hormonal deficiency can cause a lot of very adverse effects for the body such as infarct-stroke conditions, diabetes, sexual disorders, forgetfulness, psychological instability,asseyannosti, disruption of sleep and so on. Therefore, such a state requires a mandatory correction.
Excessive content of free testosterone
Do not think that the high content of androgens goes only for good, adding to their possessor extra strength and courage. This is far from the case. Overestimated testosterone hormone levels are no less dangerous than their insufficiency. If free testosterone is produced in prohibitive amounts, then the man suffers from the following manifestations:
- Acne, acne vulgaris;
- Excessive hair;
- Abnormally high nervous excitability;
- Frequent explosions of aggression;
- Suicidal tendencies.
Excessive androgen content can lead to testicular atrophy. This is due to the protective reaction of the body, when it itself neutralizes the fat-and-iron activity in order to establish an androgen balance. As a result, such actions can lead to atrophy of testicles.
Conducting the
analysis The standard for biological testing is that according to which in a man of 18-69 years of age, free testosterone is 4.6-42 pg / ml. If there is the slightest suspicion of a deviation from the hormonal norm, then it is necessary to consult an andrologist who will study the pathogenesis and prescribe the appropriate examination. It has been clarified that the testosterone level is revealed with the help of a special blood test.
Warning! In order for the indicators of laboratory studies to be reliable, it is necessary to take into account some requirements and observe the rules for preparing for the analysis of hormones.
Approximately 12 hours before the expected collection of biomaterial it is recommended to abandon meals, drinking only simple drinking water. You can not drink alcohol, carry weight and smoke for a day before taking blood. The biomaterial is taken from the vein, the results are usually ready in 3-5 hours. Such a study is often prescribed in a diagnostic study of late or, conversely, too early adolescence puberty, or to discover the causes of acne, prostatic infertility, osteoporosis, or erectile dysfunction.
How to fix the content of active androgen
After studying the diagnostic research results, the andrologist will prescribe the appropriate course of therapy. The tactics of treatment is based on the principles of hormone replacement therapy with testosterone-based drugs. They are available in several forms: pills, injections, testosterone gel or patch, mucoadhesive preparations, etc.
But this treatment has many pitfalls. On the one hand, taking testosterone helps to strengthen bone mass, increase craving and strength, increase muscle mass, balance and excellent mood, stress resistance and improve cardiovascular activity. But, on the other hand, substitution treatment with testosterone causes side reactions:
- Acne purulent rashes;
- The size of the testicles increases;
- There are urinary disorders that lead to fluid retention in the body.
Therefore, such therapy should be carried out under the strict supervision of the andrologist.
Warning! Testosterone reacts sensitively to alcoholic drinks, therefore, in people who often abuse alcohol, the level of this androgen is lowered.
In addition to medicines, there are many more ways to increase free testosterone. The simplest and most effective is nutrition. Testosterone begins to be produced in large quantities, if a man's diet is enriched with products with a high content of zinc( nuts, seafood, etc.) and with the number of proteins not exceeding the norm( 15% of the total calories).In addition, you need to normalize your weight, because fat deposits depress androgen secretion.
Persons who regularly attend training sessions are advised to take a break between them more often, so that the muscle tissues have time to rest. If the rest was insufficient, then an additional load would provoke a sharp drop in unbound testosterone( by 40%).
How to reduce the content of testosterone
Someone can not raise the testosterone level, while others need, on the contrary, reduce it. Excessive production of androgen can be slightly reduced by a low-carbohydrate diet. Regular consumption of sweet fruits and vegetables will also help reduce testosterone levels.
Attention! If you take any steroids or hormonal medications and you show signs of increased testosterone levels, you should stop taking these medications. Often this is enough to normalize the hormonal balance.
To reduce the content of the hormone will help to avoid eating meat, which stimulates hormonal secretion. But soy products must be present in the diet, because they contain estrogen, which inhibits testosterone formation. By the way, an andrologist can also prescribe hormonal medication on an estrogen basis. With increased androgenic activity, daily sports training will not interfere.
Regardless of whether the testosterone content is increased or it is sorely lacking, therapy can not be prescribed independently, especially with hormonal medications, since such self-medication can turn into serious problems. At the slightest suspicion of hormonal problems, it is necessary to consult an andrologist who will identify abnormalities and prescribe adequate therapy.
