Testosterone is a hormone that is formed due to the work of Leydig cells located in the adrenal gland. It is produced in the body in both women and men, and is responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics. And it is very important to timely identify a violation in the endocrine system and the production of these hormones, in particular. To do this, you need to know how to properly take a testosterone test to a man.
The hallmarks of male hormone
First of all, testosterone or androgen is responsible for the correct functioning of the reproductive system and is considered the main part of the male hormonal background. The manifestation of sexual activity depends on its level. For this activity to be normal, the hormone content in the body must be optimal. The pituitary gland is responsible for its production.
Like any element in the human body, androgen has functions, which include:
- control the appearance of sexual characteristics that distinguish men from women;
- genital formation;
- participation in the processes of nitrogen and phosphorus metabolism;
- control over sexual behavior.
Analysis for testosterone in men will help establish the level of the hormone and provide an opportunity to eliminate violations in its production.
Androgen Content
When taking a blood test for testosterone in men, it is important to remember that indicators can vary depending on age, but at the same time should be in the range from 12 to 33 nanomoles per liter. For men, the norms are as follows:
- Free form 4.5 to 42 pg / ml
- In active form, from 3.5 to 12 nmol / L
Also, we must not forget that adolescents are characterized by a high level of the hormone in the blood, and with increasing age, a decrease in the level of hormones is observed. So, by the age of 60, a fall of 4-5 units below the norm is common and does not pose a threat. In addition, it should be borne in mind how to test for testosterone in men, since the result depends on many factors, for example, stress, time of day, and the general condition of the body and its organs.
Reasons for Deviations
Today, among men, there has been a tendency to a decrease in androgen levels, the reasons for this may be:
- violation of the pituitary or hypothalamus;
- the presence of a genetic predisposition;
- menopause (yes, men also have it);
- negative effects on the testicles (mechanical injuries, viruses, alcohol and tobacco abuse);
- age;
- chronic diseases.
If pathologies in the activity of the endocrine system are detected, the doctor prescribes treatment with testosterone.
Violation of hormone production can affect not only a decrease in their production, but also an increase. Which is also considered a pathology, but indicates other causes of the problem, such as:
- the presence of tumor formations in the testicles or in the adrenal zone;
- excess in the body of steroids;
- early sexual formation;
- congenital abnormal growth of adrenal tissue;
In addition, there are other factors that influence violations in the production of testosterone:
- liver disease and chronic alcoholism reduce the amount of hormone produced;
- treatment with certain drugs affect the production in the direction of decrease or increase (depends on the type and purpose of the medicine);
- prostate cancer increases testosterone production.
When to take an analysis
When and how to pass a testosterone test to a man correctly are two pressing questions that interest all men. And if the second question is interesting only to those who already have problems, the first is relevant for everyone. It is important not to miss that moment for examination in order to avoid serious consequences in the future.
An analysis of testosterone levels is recommended in order to determine the status of homons in men. And he is appointed, mainly, if the spermogram indicators are unsatisfactory and indicate the occurrence of pathological processes.
Indications for the procedure
The exact indicator of testosterone in the blood is not easy to determine, but the problems that indicate a decrease in its level can be judged by external signs, including:
- hair loss;
- decreased sexual desire;
- the appearance of excess weight;
- loss of muscle tone;
- enlargement of the pectoral muscle;
- increased sweating
- sharp mood swings;
- prolonged depression;
- violation of erectile function;
- testicular volume reduction;
- fast ejaculation;
- frequent urination;
- sleep disturbance;
If you find several of these problems, you should consult a doctor for an examination.
Why testosterone is being tested
Analysis for testosterone levels in men is carried out exclusively as directed by a doctor for the purpose of making a diagnosis. With it, you can measure the level of a hormone that is in the body freely or is conjugated with proteins. Assign such an analysis in order to diagnose pathologies such as:
- infertility;
- violation of erectile function;
- decreased male libido;
- the presence of a testicular tumor;
- Diseases of the pituitary or hypothalamus.
Analysis procedure
Faced with the problems of producing male hormones, many are wondering how to pass a testosterone test to a man. It is simple, it is enough to follow the instructions of specialists and perform a number of simple actions. Doctors before the procedure recommend abandoning:
- food (for 8 hours);
- physical activity (per day);
- smoking (for 4 hours);
- taking alcoholic beverages (in 24 hours);
- from physiotherapy studies and the adoption of various drugs (per day).
The main action carried out as part of the analysis is blood sampling, which is carried out from a vein. Next, using an enzyme immunoassay, the level of testosterone is established. The essence of the method is that a special reagent is added to the blood sample, which stains it, and the value is determined by the color intensity.
Decoding of the research result
The interpretation of the results is almost no different from other analyzes and consists in comparing normal values with those obtained. The main difference is the availability of a special unit of measurement, which is used by the laboratory. Hormones in the blood are measured in nanomoles, there are other units, but these are the most common and are used most often.
Service cost
The price for such a service can vary and it depends on many factors, starting from the region and ending with the rules of a particular medical institution. On average, its value is about one and a half thousand rubles, but the exact figure still depends on where the man takes the testosterone test.
Normalization of hormone levels
If abnormalities are found, first of all, it is necessary to find out the reason. After this, treatment should begin. If the disorders are associated with the formation of tumor cells, then they are removed and antiandrogen drugs are prescribed. If the cause was a chromosome mutation or disease localized in the liver, symptomatic treatment is prescribed with testosterone replacement therapy.
How to normalize hormonal levels at home
How to pass a testosterone test to a man has been discussed above. But what to do next, how to restore the normal functioning of the body? First of all, it is necessary to observe elementary rules that will help normalize the production of the hormone and put yourself in order. These include:
- playing sports or just regular certain physical activities;
- refusal of bad habits: the use of alcohol-containing products and smoking;
- normalization of nutrition by adding to your diet the necessary mineral elements contained in low-fat meat, seafood, walnuts.
- a dream that takes at least seven hours;
- adding ginseng tincture to the diet, which can increase the level of androgen production;
- and it’s especially important not to forget to take the medications prescribed by the doctor.
Possible risks
Like any pathology, disruption of the gonads with a subsequent change in testosterone levels does not go unnoticed and can cause a number of unpleasant consequences, among which diseases of a number of systems can be observed. Thus, a decrease in the production of male hormone can cause disturbances in the functioning of the heart and blood vessels or the endocrine system. In addition, the amount of testosterone has a direct effect on the sexual functions of men, and delayed intervention can cause impotence.
Thus, having donated blood when there is a need to determine the level of hormones, it is possible to identify a number of pathologies at the early stages of development and establish their causes. The norm for testosterone levels is very wide and depends on a number of factors that affect its level and which must be taken into account, including age. Therefore, it is important to conduct an examination after careful preparation and learn in advance how to pass a testosterone test to a man correctly.