One of the doctors at the world-famous research centre conducted interesting research. He observed rams of the Soay sheep breed during the mating season and noticed something unusual when testosterone levels dropped, from capable males to nervous, withdrawn animals that responded to any irritation.
Namely, the level of testosterone in these rams jumps in the fall, while they fall in the winter, so they lose interest in prolonging the breed. This led him to conclude that this hormone has a similar effect on human behaviour, especially if the causes of a sharp decline are traumatic events, such as the death of a loved one, divorce, and a serious illness.
Dealing with this essential hormone for men, scientists have come to discover that its deficiency causes fatigue, depression, irritability and decreased libido, but it can also have certain physical consequences, such as pain in the arms and legs, sweating and redness. In fact, the study found that men who have low libido, have difficulty reaching orgasm and have decreased sensitivity in the genital area, most likely have low levels of this hormone and should be tested.
Free testosterone
Although testosterone is thought to control men, it is essentially due to one part of it called free or bioavailable testosterone. The blood contains from one to three per cent of this testosterone, while the remaining part is bound to the proteins albumin and globulin. Research has shown that this form of biologically active testosterone, decreases by 1.2 per cent per year, while total testosterone decreases by 0.4 per cent per year.
Some men can feel a drop in testosterone as early as their thirties, most often through a change in mood, which continues to decline at a steady pace with age. The amount of free testosterone can be determined directly by laboratory methods or indirectly by determining the TSHBG (Free Androgen Index or FAI).
The reference values for men are 0.091 – 0.579 nmol, although according to some research it has been established that there are no optimal values for all, only individual optimal values measured in the 30s. Lack of this hormone causes a condition similar to PMS in women in men, and the stronger sex becomes overly nervous, irritable and insecure.
No room to panic!
What if the test shows you have too little testosterone. Celebrities also face this problem, admitting that injecting testosterone has changed their lives. “I wanted to get a certain dose of the growth hormone because I heard that all older public figures do it,” said one of them. Men want to look like they are 40 instead of 60 because it improves health, memory, hair and skin quality, he said.
Testosterone injections are one of the ways to help yourself in case you have naturally or something caused by low levels of the male sex hormone, but you must consult a doctor beforehand. In some cases, injections can be very harmful, especially when used by men with normal hormone levels who want bigger muscles.
Injection therapy lasts up to two weeks, and the dose depends on the body constitution and the doctor’s recommendation. The consequences of the excessive intake of this hormone, either through injections or the use of oral means, are an increase in red blood cells, acne, chest pain and swelling of the joints. In some people, excessive use of injections can lead to the destruction of spermatogenesis and the appearance of sterility, which is why Chinese scientists have come to the conclusion that these injections in certain doses can be effective contraception for men. That is why every use of means for raising the levels of this important hormone must be under medical supervision!