To most people the word ‘testosterone’ may be synonymous with the macho quotient — the flexing of muscles and the twirling of a moustache.
Experts say testosterone is the hormone that helps boys develop secondary sexual characteristics, that is, enhanced (masculine) physical attributes and functions. “It is because of this hormone (testosterone) that peaks during puberty that boys develop their muscles, facial and body hair and even a heavier voice,” says Dr Ashwitha Shruti Dass, a Bengaluru-based diabetologist.
Dass says testosterone is released from the Leydig cells that are present in the testes (reproductive tissue). “The main role of these cells is to produce the hormone testosterone,” she says. “Testosterone is actually present in both males and females. But it is always found in higher levels in men. It is also closely associated with a lot of bodily functions in men.”
Sometimes the production of testosterone in men is too low and can impact the essential functions and general well-being.
“Lack of testosterone is not only responsible for low sex drive or erectile dysfunction but can also affect other aspects of their health which must be addressed,” says Dr Waheed Zaman, director, urology and renal transplantation, Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, Delhi.
Experts say the normal range of testosterone in men is 300 to 1,000 ng/dL (nanogram/decilitre), while in females it is as low as 15 to 70 ng/dl. Some symptoms and tests can indicate the low range, which can be treated accordingly.
Hypogonadism
When the production of testosterone is low in the body it is known as hypogonadism. Experts say one could either be born with hypogonadism or it could be the result of an injury later in life. Ageing also results in a dip in its levels in some individuals.
Lower testosterone levels and its side effects can take a toll on a person’s physical and mental health. “Since low testosterone affects men’s sexual performance and drive, it could bring about a decreased sense of wellbeing apart from issues like fatigue, sleepiness, depression, difficulty in concentration and irritability,” said Dr Zaman.
Some other physical changes would be loss of bodily hair, muscle strength and weaker bones or osteoporosis.
According to Dr Divya Marina Fernandes, consultant, heart failure specialist, and interventional cardiologist, Aster RV Hospital, Bengaluru, testosterone supplementation is necessary in some individuals, mainly men with hypogonadism. But experts insist this should be done under strict medical supervision.
Maintaining normal levels of testosterone
Dr Fernandes advises maintaining a healthy lifestyle, exercising regularly, eating healthy food, quitting smoking and reducing alcohol consumption to maintain normal hormone levels.
Dr Zaman says food products such as dairy, vegetable oils and soya products are best avoided since they can lower testosterone levels. On the other hand, natural foods such as oil-rich fish (tuna and salmon), eggs, walnut, almonds, cherries, pomegranate, bananas, berries and green leafy vegetables may help enhance its production.
Dr Zaman says testosterone helps women too. “Combined with estrogen, the female sex hormone, testosterone helps in growth, repair and maintenance of women’s reproductive tissue and bone mass as well,” he says.