Testosterone Test: Free & SHBG, High vs Low vs. Normal Levels
Testosterone Test: Free & SHBG, High vs Low vs. Normal Levels
Along with a healthy amount of dietary protein, resistance exercises and other forms of strength training will help preserve muscle mass and strength, bone density, and musculoskeletal function. A reasonable consumption of calcium (1,200 milligrams a day) and vitamin D (800 international units a day) will help prevent osteoporosis. And since illness and obesity accelerate the age-related decline in testosterone levels, healthy living may actually make your testosterone levels 10 years younger. Normal testosterone levels support sexual development, libido, healthy muscles and bones, and mood. Guidelines vary, as do factors like age or medication use, but a normal level for an adult male typically ranges between 450 and 600 nanograms (ng) per deciliter (dL). Levels at 300 ng/dL or less are considered low and above 1,000 ng/dL is high. Most of the current clinical experience with androgens and androgen deficiency has been in post-menopausal women who complain of decreased sexual desire after cessation of menses, and are not helped by estrogen replacement therapy alone.
If you wonder whether testosterone therapy might be right for you, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits. Your doctor will likely measure your testosterone levels at least twice before recommending testosterone therapy. Testosterone levels generally peak during adolescence and early adulthood. As you age, your testosterone level gradually declines — typically about 1% a year after age 30 or 40. For older men, it's important to determine if a low testosterone level is due to normal aging or if it is due to a disease (hypogonadism).
At 19 or older, men should have a testosterone level of 300 to 1,000 ng/dL. Testosterone is present in the womb and essential to normal fetal development, including the development of the male reproductive system. There are several limitations of this study, including a small age-matched trend and limited geographic region surveyed, but the researchers said these data should not be ignored.
A viral Twitter post from April 9 claims testosterone levels have dropped by almost 50% over the past 20 years. Aging is a common cause of lower testosterone, but there are a number of potential causes of atypical levels. Chemotherapy treatment for cancer, chronic steroid use, genetic conditions, and eating disorders are just a few of the possible causes. About Endocrine SocietyEndocrinologists are at the core of solving the most pressing health problems of our time, from diabetes and obesity to infertility, bone health, and hormone-related cancers. The Endocrine Society is the world’s oldest and largest organization of scientists devoted to hormone research and physicians who care for people with hormone-related conditions.
The hypothalamus instructs the pituitary gland to release luteinising hormone (LH) which prompts the Leydig cells in the testes to produce testosterone. In the UK, testosterone prescriptions shot up by nearly 90% between 2000 and 2010 [1]. There are many reasons for this, like the influence of the media, but it’s also possible that testosterone deficiency is genuinely on the rise.
TRT is not recommended for men with a history of prostate or breast cancer or those with high levels of red blood cells or a history of blood clots. Additionally, TRT should only be prescribed by a healthcare provider with expertise in treating symptoms of low testosterone levels. The healthy level of testosterone in men can vary depending on factors such as age, overall health, and individual variations. However, generally speaking, a normal total testosterone level for adult men is typically considered to be somewhere between 300 to 1,000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). If you and your healthcare provider decide to treat low testosterone levels, you may be a candidate for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). With this treatment, you are essentially supplementing your body with the testosterone it’s missing. Testosterone testing is used to evaluate androgen excess or deficiency related to gonadal function, adrenal function, or tumor activity.
The information available on this web site is provided for informational purposes only. This information is not intended to replace a medical consultation where a physician’s judgment may advise you about specific disorders, conditions and or treatment options. We hope the information will be useful for you to become more educated about your health care decisions. Dr. Kia Michel is a leading specialist in the field of TRT therapy. With a background in urology, Dr. Michel combines expertise with a comprehensive approach to hormone therapy. He offers services through both in-person visits and telehealth, making it accessible for a broad patient base. His practice focuses on thorough diagnostic evaluations to tailor treatment plans that address individual hormonal needs.
There are many reasons for this reduction in male hormone levels, from obesity to environmental chemical exposure. Men with low testosterone levels may be at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis or bone fractures. Normal levels of free testosterone levels in the blood are testosterone and steroids the same affected by aging. As a man gets older, his levels of both free testosterone and overall testosterone naturally drop.
