Content

• Normal performance
• Signs of increase
• Where does excess testosterone come from?
• Health effects
• Treatment

A mountain of muscles, hair growth all over the body, a low voice — all these signs are associated with the concept of masculinity, and the male hormone testosterone is responsible for them. The craziness with anabolic steroids and some dietary supplements leads to the fact that testosterone in the body becomes too much. Hormonal jumps affect sexual behavior, mood and well-being, and sometimes become the cause of ailments. Consider what can cause an imbalance for a person.

Normal performance

In humans, the hormone exists in 2 forms: free testosterone (its share is not more than 2% of the total) and associated with plasma proteins (98%). It is free androgen that affects masculinity and fertility.

The norms of total testosterone are: 11-33 nmol / l, free – 4.5-42 pg / ml.

Read: The  rate of testosterone in men from adolescence to old age

The substance is produced by Leydig cells, which are located in the testes. In smaller quantities, the male hormone is produced by the adrenal cortex.

Androgens work in several directions:

• Increase libido and potency;
• Helps sperm synthesis;
• Participate in the formation of protein molecules and in the accumulation of muscle mass;
• Affect the development of the skeletal system, calcium and nitrogen metabolism.

Any man can find out his potential, for this you should come to the laboratory and pass the analysis. Please note: during the day there is a constant change in the amount of a substance that should be considered when interpreting the results. Increased physical activity, smoking, emotional outbursts can affect testosterone levels.

The highest level is detected in the morning hours, and in the evening the amount of androgen drops to its minimum value. Therefore, it is recommended to take tests until 11 am, on an empty stomach, in a calm state.

It is advisable to repeat the study several times to find out the exact picture of the hormonal background.

Signs of increase

Hormonal imbalance can be harmless if detected in young men during their sexual development. This is usually temporary and the amount of androgens stabilizes with age.

In adult males, testosterone increase is manifested as follows:

• aggressive behavior and sudden change of mood;
• insomnia;
• headache;
• the desire for frequent sexual intercourse;
• prolonged erection;
• increased hair growth throughout the body against the background of baldness of the head;
• acne on the skin.

Typically, these men have well-developed muscles without a drop of excess fat, excessive hair growth on the back, chest, abdomen, limbs, stocky build.

A large release of hormones affects the behavior: increased erection leads to frequent changes of partners. The man becomes aggressive and hot-tempered, solicits sexual intimacy. Over time, fatigue sets in, and apathy or even depression replaces high sexual activity. Possible suicidal tendencies.

Bodybuilders and professional athletes who take synthetic additives and substances that stimulate the synthesis of testosterone risk their health. After they are consumed, the production of their own androgens decreases, which has dire consequences.

If an artificially synthesized hormone regularly enters the body, it leads to testicular atrophy, a decrease in sperm production, and infertility.

Where does excess testosterone come from?

The causes of hormonal failure can be both the most innocent (lack of sleep, malnutrition), and serious (diseases of the adrenal glands, genetic abnormalities). Since testes and adrenal glands are responsible for the production of androgens, excessive glandular activity leads to a number of diseases.

The reasons may be the following states:

• Ishchenko-Cushing’s disease – a violation of the adrenal glands due to a pituitary tumor;
• androgenital syndrome – congenital anomaly of the cortical layer of the adrenal glands;
• prostate tumors;
• testicular cancer;
• resistance (insensitivity) to male sex hormones, a man with such a pathology has a feminine body type;
• early puberty in boys is a pathology characterized by the presence of a large penis and hypoplasia of the testicles in the background of a delay in mental maturation;
• use of anabolic steroids.

Taking certain medications is fraught with the development of hormonal imbalance. Men who take uncontrolled gonadotropin, finasterin, danazol, mifephiston should regularly check their testosterone levels.

Health effects

Representatives of the stronger sex, having found high numbers in the analysis, do not always rush to see a doctor. Many consider the rise of androgen a sign of their masculine strength; meanwhile, the anomaly can have serious consequences.

An excessively high level of androgens can provoke a number of pathological abnormalities:

• liver disease;
• cardiovascular disorders (arterial hypertension, heart pain);
• an enlarged prostate gland that causes problems with urination;
• sexual disorders – premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, impotence;
• increased cholesterol;
• change in metabolism;
• violation of brain activity – impaired memory, attention;
• high activity of the sebaceous glands contributes to the formation of acne.

A high amount of testosterone in the blood can be both a cause and a consequence of prostate cancer. Due to its excess in the pituitary gland, a smaller amount of producing hormones is produced, which causes problems in the intimate sphere, reduced fertility, atrophy of the testes.

Men with high levels of testosterone have a low life expectancy and age early.

Treatment

If an adult man found signs of hyperandrogenism – increased hair growth, constant sexual desire, unusual aggressiveness, he should see a doctor and pass the necessary tests.

When the doctor sees the high numbers of androgens, he is primarily interested in whether the patient is not taking any dietary supplements and synthetic androgen analogs. It is enough to stop their use so that the hormones return to normal.

To reduce testosterone, the doctor may prescribe medication . These can be drugs – agonists luteinizing hormone (Lupron, Goselerin). These substances are used for the treatment of early puberty of young men, as well as for prostate tumors. These are hormonal medications that have serious contraindications; therefore, only an andrologist or an endocrinologist should prescribe them.

Other medicines reduce the amount of testosterone: Carbamezepine, Ketoconazole, Finasteride, Magnesia.

Patients need to reconsider their lifestyle, it is enough to get enough sleep – at least 7 hours, to avoid stressful situations.

Lower testosterone long walks, jogging in the fresh air. From classes in the gym should be abandoned.

Respect for sexual hygiene is also given sufficient attention: the relationship with a partner should be regular, but not too frequent. Should not resort to masturbation.

Normalize the hormonal status will help a special diet with a high content of phytoestrogens. These are substances that act like female hormones. They neutralize hyperandrogenism and metabolic disorders.

Recommended products:

• flaxseed and oil;
• legumes: soy protein, beans, natural beans, lentils;
• Red grapes;
• rich coffee and tea;
• apples ;
• grenades.

In the diet include high-fat dairy products, eggs . Of the drinks should give preference to herbal decoctions based on clover, lime blossom, hop cones, licorice.

Forbidden foods include sugars and starches, since they significantly increase the level of the hormone in the body. For a while, meat products are excluded: they are a source of protein involved in the synthesis of androgens.

Adhere to this diet should be no more than 10 days before the normalization of the emotional and physical condition. In the future, eating foods with a high amount of estrogen should be only when renewed signs of aggression, irritability, dysfunction of the intimate sphere. Long-term diet can adversely affect health and lead to feminization.

If the anomaly is caused by a tumor of the adrenal glands androsteroma, a cure can only be achieved by surgical treatment . After surgery, the hormonal background is stabilized, the build-up of muscle tissue stops. Patients can hope for a favorable prognosis.

Increasing testosterone is no less dangerous than reducing it. An excess of androgens can result in a decrease in erection, impotence, prostate cancer, and a number of serious diseases of internal organs. It is extremely dangerous to prescribe medication for yourself without prior examination. In order to restore hormonal status, a man will need to change his lifestyle, and if necessary, visit a doctor and undergo a course of treatment.