What is testosterone?
The word testosterone often conjures up images of muscles, body building and maybe even steroids, however, testosterone is a critical hormone with far-reaching effects for both male and female health.
Testosterone is a steroid hormone belonging to a group of hormones called androgens, which are a group of hormones responsible for male features. Testosterone production is regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, a communication pathway between the brain and reproductive organs which controls hormone balance.
Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone. It is responsible for the development and maintenance of male reproductive tissues and secondary sexual characteristics, including muscle mass, bone density and sperm production. Beyond its reproductive role, testosterone also influences energy, mood, cognitive function, motivation, metabolic health and libido, making it an important determinant of overall wellbeing throughout the male lifespan.
In females, testosterone is mostly converted into the primary female sex hormone, oestrogen. Some testosterone remains and helps support energy, mood, muscle strength, cognitive function and libido. Maintaining healthy testosterone levels is therefore important for both males and females, although the concentrations and physiological roles differ between the sexes.
What affects testosterone levels?
Many factors influence testosterone production, including:
- Age: levels start to decline from the 3rd and 4th decade
- Poor sleep: testosterone is primarily produced during sleep
- Chronic stress- elevated cortisol can suppress testosterone production
- Body fat: adipose tissue promotes the conversion of testosterone to oestrogen, contributing to lower testosterone levels.
- Physical activity: A sedentary lifestyle is associated with lower testosterone levels, reduced muscle mass and poorer metabolic health.
- Nutrient status: certain nutrients such as zinc are essential co-factors for testosterone production
- Excessive alcohol intake: reduces testosterone production
High and low testosterone
Pathologically high or low testosterone levels are associated with a range of health conditions in both males and females and can significantly impact quality of life, metabolic health and reproductive function. For example:
Hypogonadism is a condition characterised by inadequate testosterone production in males. It may result from dysfunction of the testes or HPG axis and is associated with adverse effects on sexual, musculoskeletal, metabolic and psychological health. In older men, this is often referred to as late-onset hypogonadism or testosterone deficiency syndrome.
Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS, formerly PCOS) is a common female reproductive condition characterised by elevated androgen levels, including testosterone. It is associated with symptoms such as irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, acne, hirsutism and metabolic disturbances including insulin resistance. PMOS is one of the most common causes of hyperandrogenism in women and highlights the importance of balanced testosterone levels for female health.
Testing
While a simple blood test can measure testosterone levels, interpreting the results is more complex than looking at testosterone alone. A comprehensive assessment should also consider other hormones and markers, such as sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), which influences how much biologically active (free) testosterone is available to body tissues, and oestrogen, which provides insight into the balance between testosterone production and its conversion to oestrogen.
How a natural healthcare practitioner can help
A qualified natural healthcare practitioner can help identify and address the factors contributing to hormonal imbalance, including nutrition, sleep quality, stress, physical activity, environmental exposures and key nutrient deficiencies. Through comprehensive assessment and personalised treatment strategies, practitioners can support healthy testosterone levels for long-term health.
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