When something does not appear to be working properly, most men are inclined to seek out the source of the problem so that it can be "fixed." Men who are having problems in the bedroom may spend time searching the internet for solutions. And, sooner or later, those searches will turn to testosterone levels in men.
If one digs a little deeper, they will come across the term free testosterone. It should be easy to figure out from here, right?
No, not exactly. Some concepts are clearly easier to grasp than others. And testosterone levels in men fall into the category of being more difficult to comprehend. In fact, it can be extremely perplexing. So, here's a primer on the distinctions between total and free testosterone, as well as what the numbers might mean and why it matters.
What Is Free Testosterone?
Free testosterone is bioavailable testosterone in the blood. It is referred to as 'free' because it is not bound to any protein. The majority of testosterone is bound to one of two proteins: albumin or sex hormone-binding globulin. While total testosterone levels are important, free testosterone levels are also important because free testosterone is the type of testosterone that the body can easily use.
Testosterone attached to or bound to proteins is inaccessible to androgen receptors. Only free testosterone has the ability to interact with androgen receptors. Androgen receptors are a type of hormone that is crucial in many aspects of bodily function. Androgen receptors, and thus free testosterone, are required by the reproductive, cardiovascular, neural, immune, and musculoskeletal systems.
The Function of Free Testosterone
While bound testosterone is important in the body, free testosterone is required to stimulate many bodily functions. Free testosterone functions include improving sleep quality and duration, sexual function, increasing energy and endurance, and increasing red blood cell production. Other functions include balancing cholesterol and blood pressure, supporting bone and muscle strength, promoting a healthy weight by stimulating metabolic function, and improving memory and focus.
Free Testosterone Levels By Age
Testosterone levels peak in a man's late teens and begin to decline gradually after the age of 30. At this point, testosterone levels will fall by about 1% per year. The concentration of testosterone is measured in nanograms per deciliter. The normal range for healthy adult men is between 264 and 914 ng/dL.
Picograms per milliliter are used to calculate free testosterone levels. Normal free testosterone levels range from 9.3-26.5 pg/mL in men aged 20-29 to 6.6-18.1 pg/mL in men aged 59 and older. The normal range for middle-aged men (ages 40-49) is 6.8-21.5 pg/mL.
What is the difference between free and total testosterone?
This unbound or "free" testosterone is what binds to testosterone receptors within the cells of the body. When a cell absorbs free testosterone, it is able to perform functions such as cell replication in the bones and muscles. Free testosterone is also responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics in men. These characteristics include facial hair and a deeper voice.
Total testosterone, as the name implies, is the sum of all hormones present in the bloodstream. While some testosterone tests only measure total testosterone, they may not be as useful as previously thought. This is why.
A bound testosterone proportion of 98 percent is considered normal, but exceptions can occur. Testing for total testosterone levels ignores the possibility of excessive bonding to SHBG or albumin. Here's why it's important. Because of the possibility of excessive bondage, it is possible to have normal levels of total testosterone but not enough free testosterone to perform its essential functions. Too little free testosterone can cause poor muscle development, irritability, decreased sex drive, and a slew of other issues that you might not associate with low free testosterone.
As a result, while total testosterone levels may appear to be normal, low levels of free testosterone may result in an incorrect diagnosis and treatment plan. For example, a patient may not require any additional testosterone. They may simply require fewer of the substances that convert testosterone to other substances such as estrogen. This is why it may be critical to test for free testosterone levels as well as total testosterone levels.
Bioavailable Testosterone
Until recently, free testosterone was thought to be the only type that was biologically active. However, it has been discovered that the portion of the hormone bound to serum albumin is more likely to become available in the capillary bed. As a result, non-SHBG-bound testosterone is also considered "bioavailable."
One way to think of bioavailable testosterone is as a reserve supply, ready to be used when the body runs low on free testosterone. However, scientists are still unsure how much bioavailable testosterone is absorbed by cells under these conditions.
In most cases, bioavailable and free testosterone levels are balanced. Exceptions to this rule have been observed as a result of certain medical conditions and medications. Corticosteroids and sex steroids, for example, can cause an increase or decrease in SHBG levels. In such cases, medical professionals may struggle to correctly diagnose abnormalities. As a result, it is critical that men disclose to their doctors, as part of their consultation, all medications they are taking.
Other conditions may also cause diagnostic difficulties. These are some examples:
- SHBG-binding abnormalities caused by genetic mutations
- Illness of the liver
- Systemic illness that is severe
The life cycle of testosterone
As boys enter their adolescent years and enter puberty, testosterone levels rise, transforming their bodies from childlike to virile and vibrant young men. Energy levels are extremely high, and strong libidos are frequently on display. Of course, all of this occurs just in time for the discovery of a sexual interest, which frequently leads to relationships and the birth of children.
Then, as men get older, their testosterone levels fall. Today, despite the ongoing debate over why, we are seeing declines in some men at a much younger age than would have been expected only a few decades ago. Aging isn't always the cause of the decline, but something is clearly happening. Men's testosterone levels are declining, and the associated experiences with bouts of erectile dysfunction are causing an increasing number of young men to seek medical advice and treatment. Measuring testosterone levels in men can aid in the diagnosis of not only sexual dysfunction but also a variety of other ailments.
Do females produce testosterone?
Most of us associate testosterone with sexual function and muscular development, but in reality, this hormone affects the entire body – in both men and women.
Testosterone is produced in the testes, ovaries, and adrenal glands, as well as through precursor hormones, which are hormones that the body converts into testosterone. For the purposes of this discussion, we will concentrate on how testosterone, also known as "the male hormone," affects men.
Imbalances in Hormones and Erectile Dysfunction
Testosterone is undeniably important in a man's sexual function. Erectile dysfunction (ED) and decreased libido can be caused by testosterone imbalances. However, testosterone may be just one of many factors that contribute to ED.
Low Testosterone Levels
Low testosterone levels are a serious issue for any man. Low testosterone levels cause a wide range of health problems. Low testosterone can cause a variety of issues, including decreased sex drive, increased body fat, muscle mass loss, fatigue, hair loss, and bone mass loss. While testosterone replacement therapy may be required in some cases to treat low testosterone levels, lifestyle changes are often all that is required.
Even men who do not have low testosterone will benefit from increased testosterone levels. While some testosterone loss is unavoidable over time, slowing those declines as much as possible should be the goal.
Increasing Free Testosterone Levels
There are two methods for increasing free testosterone levels. In general, anything that raises total testosterone levels (such as exercise or supplementation) raises free testosterone levels as well. The other approach is to lower sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG) or albumin bound testosterone.
While aging naturally increases SHBG bonding, other factors can hasten the process. SHBG bonding is known to be affected by hormone levels such as insulin, growth hormone, estrogen, and thyroid hormones. SHBG is thought to be reduced by vitamins and herbs such as vitamin D and boron.
Eating a nutritious diet, losing weight, reducing stress, getting enough sleep, and engaging in strength training are all ways to combat low testosterone and the unpleasant symptoms described above.
Another important step is to take a high-quality supplement. Testogen is a high-quality testosterone supplement that will help you gain strength while also increasing your energy and sex drive. Check out our men's supplement line for more information.
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