Testosterone - An Overview

Introduction

Testosterone is a hormone that is produced by the testicles or the ovaries. It is considered a male hormone, so it is seen as higher in people who are assigned as male at birth. There should be an imbalance in the production of this hormone; if it is low or high, it can cause many symptoms. This article speaks about the uses and advantages of testosterone.

What Is Meant by Testosterone?

Testosterone is a male hormone produced by the gonads (testicles and ovaries). Even though it is a male hormone, a small amount of hormone is also produced in females. The adrenal gland produces a hormone called dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which is transferred into testosterone and estrogen. Testosterone is a hormone that is essential for the development of male characteristics. The level of testosterone increases at the time of puberty and starts to dip after the age of 30 years. It also plays a major role in the sex drive of the person and sperm production. Any fluctuation in the level of testosterone can affect many factors.

What Are the Main Functions of Testosterone?

The main function of this hormone is:

• Fetal Development: Around seven weeks into fetal development, the Y chromosome, which is the sex-related gene, will tend to develop the testicle in male infants. These testicles are the ones that produce testosterone. This hormone helps in the development of the male reproductive hormone.

• Adulthood: Testosterone plays an important role in the production of sperm. It also plays a role in:

  • Initiating the body to produce new blood cells.

  • It makes sure the muscles and bones stay strong.

  • It helps to enhance sex drive and helps in well-being.

• Puberty In Males: It plays a major role in the puberty of the male child, such as

• It helps in increasing height.

• It initiates body and pubic hair growth.

• It is responsible for the enlargement of the penis, prostate gland, and testes.

• It enhances the libido.

How Is the Testosterone Hormone Level Balanced?

The testosterone level is controlled in the blood; it peaks in the morning and reduces during the day. The hypothalamus and the pituitary glands monitor the level of testosterone hormones produced and released by the gonads.

How Are Testosterone Hormones Produced?

The hypothalamus initiates the release of GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone). This hormone triggers the pituitary gland to initiate the release of luteinizing hormone (LH). LH travels to the gonads and initiates the production and release of testosterone hormone. Once the testosterone hormone is produced in the blood, it reduces the production of the GnRH hormone. Through this method, the level of testosterone is maintained. When the hypothalamus, pituitary, and gonads work together, the level of testosterone is maintained.

What Are the Conditions That Increase the Level of Testosterone?

Some condition that increases the e-level of testosterone are:

• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS): This condition is caused by hormone imbalance, usually seen in females. It is caused when the ovaries start to produce more testosterone. Due to this, some physical symptoms are seen, such as excessive body hair, increased weight, etc.

• Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: This condition results in a shortage of enzymes present in the adrenal gland. These enzymes are responsible for producing cortisol. So, where there is a shortage of enzymes, the adrenal gland produces too much testosterone instead of cortisol, which is a hormone that reacts to stress.

• Ovarian or Testicular Tumors: Ovarian or testicular tumors can result in excessive production of testosterone.

• Adrenal Tumors: Sex hormones producing adrenal tumors can result in excessive production of testosterone or estrogen.

What Happens When There Is a Low Levels of Testosterone?

Usually, the testosterone level will drop below normal only in males, where the condition is called male hypogonadism. There are two main types,

• Classical Which Can Be Congenital or Acquired: This is a condition that is caused by some other underlying health condition, such as any injury to the gonads, pituitary gland, or hypothalamus. In some cases, the person can develop this condition congenitally due to some conditions, such as Klinefelter syndrome. In a few cases, it can be acquired where a low testosterone condition results due to some alteration in the normal functioning of the glands.

• Late Onset: This condition is caused due to aging or age-related conditions like obesity, diabetes, etc.

What Happens Due to Low Testosterone Level During Fetal Development?

When there is a reduced level of testosterone during fetal development, then the male characteristic will not develop normally. Such a condition is called androgen insensitivity syndrome, which occurs due to a low level of testosterone. It is a sex differentiation condition that affects the development of male features in the uterus as well during puberty.

What Happens When the Testosterone Level Is Low During Puberty?

The following condition can be caused if the testosterone level is low during puberty,

• Reduced growth of height, but the arms and legs tend to grow out of proportion when compared to the body.

• Decreased development of pubic hair.

• Decreased growth of penis and testicles.

• Minimal voice, depending.

• Reduced strength and endurance.

What Happens When the Testosterone Level Is Low in Adults?

The testosterone level naturally reduces as a man ages. But when the testosterone level reduces in adulthood, it can lead to the following,

• It reduces muscle mass but increases body fat.

• Reduced body hair.

• Depressed mood.

• Erectile dysfunction problem.

• Reduced sex drive.

• Weak bones.

• Difficult to concentrate.

How Can Reduced Testosterone Levels Be Managed?

Low testosterone levels do not always require treatment, but if it affects the quality of life, then testosterone replacement therapy is needed. In this method, artificial testosterone is administered orally through injections, gels, or patches. This therapy can help to enhance muscle mass and increase the libido. But some side effects are seen, such as:

• Fluid retention.

• Oily skin.

• Reduced sperm production.

• Shrinking of the testicles.

Studies show testosterone replacement therapy does not result in prostate cancer, but research is still on.

Conclusion

Testosterone is a male hormone that is produced by the testicles. This hormone is required for the development of male secondary sexual characteristics. A low level of testosterone or a high level can result in many issues that can affect the quality of life. However, the level of testosterone reduces as one ages. Low levels of testosterone can be corrected with testosterone replacement therapy.