Understanding the Importance of Testosterone

Testosterone is one of the most important hormones that are produced by the human body. It is very essential for optimal sexual health as well as for several other purposes, especially in men. Insufficient levels of the hormone could lead to unpleasant effects and changes in the body. Read on to find out why it is important to have adequate levels of testosterone in the body.

What is Testosterone?

Testosterone is a steroid hormone which is usually present in humans and other vertebrates. Considered part of the androgen group, the hormone is mainly produced and secreted by the testicles in males, for whom it is a principal sex hormone. It is also secreted by the ovaries in women, and small amounts are also produced by the adrenal glands.

Testosterone and other androgens are known to bind to membrane androgen receptors in order to activate them. These androgen receptors can be found in many of the tissues in the vertebrate body system. Free testosterone (T) moves into the cytoplasm of target tissue cells and becomes bound to the androgen receptor there or is converted through the actions of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase into 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The ability of DHT to bind to the same androgen receptor is greater than that of testosterone, with this helping to make its androgenic potency about five times greater. Both males and females respond in the same way to similar levels of testosterone, but the effects are more pronounced in the former as a result of significantly higher production.

Importance of Testosterone

Testosterone is mostly needed by men. It is essential for the development of male sexual characteristics. The hormone plays a vital role in the development of reproductive tissues such as prostate and testis. It is required for the maturation of sex organs, especially the penis, as well as for scrotal formation in the unborn baby. Testosterone promotes secondary sex characteristics, including growth of body hair, growth of beard and deepening of the voice. Being an anabolic steroid hormone, it helps with muscle mass growth, bone density enhancement, strength improvement and bone maturation.

Although it is a principal hormone in men, it is common for some to think that women have no need for it. Such assumption is an erroneous one. Women also need testosterone, although in smaller quantities. It is one of those hormones that help to maintain bodily functions as well as enhance energy levels, sex drive and mood. As is the case in men, women also need the steroid hormone for ensuring bone health, managing pain and enhancing cognitive functions. Testosterone also helps for maintaining sufficient levels of red blood cells in the body as well as for the promotion of overall good health and sense of well-being.

Causes and Symptoms of Low Testosterone

The normal range of testosterone in the body, particularly for men, is put at between 300 and 1000 ng/dL by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A drop in levels below this range is described as hypogonadism or "low T." Normally, testosterone production falls as people grow older - usually starting after the age of 30 in men. But there are also several other causes of low testosterone. These include:

Obesity (particularly abdominal)
Pituitary gland or hypothalamus dysfunction
Alcoholism
Injury
Loss of the testicles
Inflammatory diseases (e.g. sarcoidosis)
Cirrhosis of the liver
Chronic kidney failure
Medications
Stress
Hemochromatosis

When there is problem of low testosterone levels in the body, certain changes may be observed. These changes or symptoms include the following:

Erectile dysfunction
Low sex drive
Mood swings
Feeling of tiredness
Reduction in bone density, leading to osteoporosis
Loss of muscle mass
Low semen volume in men
Increase in body fat
Hair loss
Decline in the feeling of well-being
Poor mental focus
High cholesterol and lipid levels
Drop in the number of red blood cells

It is possible to mistake some of these symptoms as being merely effects of the natural aging process. A blood test is used to ascertain testosterone level in the body. This test is best performed early in the morning when levels are at peak.

Treatment of Low Testosterone

Hormone replacement therapy is used to deal with the problem of low testosterone and this can take different forms. The most popular method involves the use of intramuscular injections, which are normally administered at intervals of two to 10 weeks. Testosterone replacement may also be done through the use of gel, long-acting subcutaneous pellet, mucoadhesive material or testosterone stick. It is highly advisable to discuss these options with your doctor before deciding on any.

To amplify the potency of testosterone replacement therapy, human growth hormone (HGH) is sometimes used concurrently with it. HGH offers several similar benefits as the sex hormone and their combined effects ensure more impressive results. A combination of HGH and testosterone supplements is described as an HGH testosterone stack, the effect of which is significantly greater than is the case when using either of the two at a time. Growth hormone is popularly used by bodybuilders as a result of its ability to promote faster lean muscle mass building, significant bone density improvement and quicker fat burning as well as endurance and tolerance for physical exercise. Testosterone enhances HGH effects for quicker results when looking to improve your physique, burn body fat and enhance performance, while also boosting energy levels and sexual drive.

Side Effects of Testosterone Therapy

It is important to state that testosterone may present some side effects despite the fact that it is considered generally safe. These side effects include:

Acne and oily skin
Thinning of the hair
Significant hair loss
Suppression of spermatogenesis, potentially leading to infertility
Worsening of sleep apnea
Fluid retention
Aggression and mood swings
Stimulation of prostate tissue, possibly resulting in decreased urination frequency or stream and some other urination symptoms
Acceleration of existing prostate cancer growth
Breast enlargement
Reduced testicular size
Increased hematocrit
Increased risk of heart attack and stroke

Some other side effects may be observed when on testosterone replacement therapy. Abnormal changes in cholesterol and lipid levels are among those.

Testosterone Warnings

Testosterone replacement therapy is not ideal for individuals with prostate or breast cancer. It is also not safe for people with untreated severe sleep apnea, urinary tract disorders or uncontrolled heart failure. Proper screening for cancer must be done before commencing the therapy.

It is obvious that testosterone provides several great benefits to the body. There are different treatment options that can be explored by those with low testosterone problem. The efficacy of the hormone is boosted when combined with HGH supplements such as Genf20 Plus. However, it is essential that you speak with a qualified doctor before starting testosterone replacement therapy. Still for those not suffering from serious low T taking a testosterone booster such as Vigrx Plus might just be enough to do the trick to get you back to the healthy sex drive you long for.