lyricism
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It's good to have your male health hormones checked, but most of you don't know what to check for; it's not just Testosterone, but other hormones that contribute to your overall health, appearance, height, and muscle mass.
Firstly, if you've already done a test, do not be comfortable if you're in the 'healthy' range. Most male hormone tests have an age range between 18-60, which demonstrates high testosterone according to that age. For perspective, the average 'healthy' testosterone range for middle-aged men (40-50 years old) is between 200 to 800 ng/dL, whereas the average 'healthy' range for teens is 100 to 1,200 ng/dL.
Do not be excited if you're testosterone is 'optimal' or 'healthy' according to their test result, unless they ask for your age before they administer the test (I doubt their lazy asses is doing that) and specifically state the age range they are basing their report on (eg. according to your age range of 18-24, your testosterone is ___ and this is healthy)
Now what are we testing for exactly? Here's a list of hormones you NEED to get checked:
Miscellaneous:
Usually, these hormones are regulated which is why I did not include them:
Firstly, if you've already done a test, do not be comfortable if you're in the 'healthy' range. Most male hormone tests have an age range between 18-60, which demonstrates high testosterone according to that age. For perspective, the average 'healthy' testosterone range for middle-aged men (40-50 years old) is between 200 to 800 ng/dL, whereas the average 'healthy' range for teens is 100 to 1,200 ng/dL.
Do not be excited if you're testosterone is 'optimal' or 'healthy' according to their test result, unless they ask for your age before they administer the test (I doubt their lazy asses is doing that) and specifically state the age range they are basing their report on (eg. according to your age range of 18-24, your testosterone is ___ and this is healthy)
Now what are we testing for exactly? Here's a list of hormones you NEED to get checked:
- Testosterone and Free Testosterone: This is to compare how much testosterone is being used (since most of your testosterone is attached to proteins) and how much is free of use (i.e how much testosterone is in circulation that is ready to be used at any given time). High Testosterone does not equal high free Testosterone, because your body could be using most of your Testosterone and barely have any left when it needs it.
- Luteinizing hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH): These hormones released by the anterior pituitary gland in your brain are responsible for signaling to your testes to produce for Testosterone and sperm. Low LH and FSH levels means you have low free Testosterone in circulation for your body to use. When taking anabolic steroids, the biggest side-effects are low LH and FSH levels (hence 'shrinking the balls' joke). If you're on anabolic steroids, speak to an endocrinologist for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) treatment to restore LH and FSH levels, eventually restoring testosterone production in the testes.
- Dihydrotestosterone (DHT): A hormone produced in the testes, DHT is responsible for bone health, the growth and maintenance of the prostate gland, length and size of penis during puberty, masculine characteristics in men (hairy body, larger muscle mass, facial hair; basically what differentiates you from women externally), sebaceous gland activity (responsible for natural skin oil), and hair-growth/loss. Having extremely high DHT will contribute to acne (high production of sebum from the sebaceous gland) and androgenic alopecia (male-pattern baldness). It's a misconception that you must keep DHT low, as DHT also contributes to your hair-growth.
- Estradiol: This hormone is responsible for spermatogenesis, the production of healthy fertilizing sperm cells. However, high levels of estradiol contribute to premature epiphyseal closure, stopping you from reaching your maximum genetic potential for your height. Estradiol promotes the maturation of bone cells called osteoblasts, which are responsible for laying down new bone tissue. This maturation process can lead to an increase in bone tissue and ultimately contribute to the closure of the growth plates. Estradiol also enhances the process of mineralization, where minerals like calcium and phosphate are deposited within the cartilage matrix, turning it into bone tissue. This mineralization process contributes to the hardening and strengthening of the bone (maturing the bone and closing the plates). Estradiol also suppresses the proliferation of chondrocytes, the cells within the cartilage growth plates that divide and contribute to the lengthening of bones. As chondrocyte proliferation is inhibited, the cartilage growth plates gradually narrow and are eventually replaced by bone tissue. Lastly, Estradiol affects Endochondral Ossification, the process involving the replacement of hyaline cartilage with bone. Epiphyseal cartilage is hyaline cartilage tissue with a gelatinous texture, and it is responsible for the longitudinal growth of the long bones in humans. It is located between the epiphysis and the diaphysis. Epiphyseal cartilage also is called a growth plate or physis.
- Prolactin: Produced by the pituitary gland, it's responsible for interacting with testosterone, LH and regulating Leydig cells. However, Elevated prolactin levels can lead to decreased testosterone production and reduced sperm quality, indicating that high prolactin levels should be lowered and monitored routinely. Obviously, isolating hormones is not medical practice, because we look at how the hormone interacts with others, which is why high prolactin in unhealthy for men.
- Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEA-S) or Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA): Produced by your adrenal glands in your kidneys, DHEA is responsible for regulating your testosterone and estrogen levels. Low DHEA leads to an imbalance in your androgen hormones, and therefore should be regulated and monitored. If you're struggling with high estrogen and low testosterone, check your DHEA-S/DHEA immediately.
- Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) and Human Growth Hormone (hGH): Both crucial hormones contributing to the growth of your height.
Miscellaneous:
Usually, these hormones are regulated which is why I did not include them:
- Cortisol: Responsible for increasing Testosterone, but also has some negative affects
- T3 and T4: Metabolism
