Testosterone
Synopsis of Testosterone
Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone and an anabolic steroid produced mainly by the Leydig cells of the testes in men and, to a lesser extent, by the ovaries and adrenal glands in women. It plays a central role in sexual development, reproductive function, muscle growth, bone density, red blood cell production, and mood regulation.
Testosterone production is regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis:
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The hypothalamus releases GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone), which signals the pituitary to release LH (luteinizing hormone).
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LH then stimulates the testes to produce testosterone.
Normal levels vary with age, sex, and time of day, typically peaking in the morning. While testosterone is often associated with male traits, it is also essential for libido, bone strength, and mood in both men and women.
Abnormal testosterone levels can lead to a wide range of health issues:
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Low testosterone (hypogonadism): Symptoms may include fatigue, low libido, erectile dysfunction, loss of muscle mass, depression, weight gain, and infertility.
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High testosterone (less common): May result from steroid abuse, tumors, or hormone therapy, and can lead to acne, aggression, or prostate growth.
Causes of low testosterone include:
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Aging (natural decline after age 30)
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Chronic stress
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Obesity
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Nutritional deficiencies (zinc, vitamin D)
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Medications (opioids, steroids)
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Illness (diabetes, sleep apnea, pituitary disorders)
Diagnosis is made via blood tests, typically in the morning when levels are highest.
Natural remedies to support Testosterone
Strength training: Especially heavy, compound movements (e.g., squats, deadlifts) are powerful testosterone boosters.
Adequate sleep: Poor sleep can significantly lower testosterone levels.
Healthy fats: Cholesterol-based foods (e.g., eggs, avocados, nuts) are essential for hormone production.
Stress management: Chronic cortisol elevation suppresses testosterone.
Weight loss (if overweight): Excess fat tissue converts testosterone to estrogen via aromatase.
Limit alcohol and avoid endocrine disruptors: Found in plastics and personal care products.
Ingredients
These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to support Testosterone.
acetyl l-carnitine
ashwagandha
boron
choline
chrysin
cordyceps
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
eleuthero
ginseng
l-arginine HCI
l-carnitine
licorice root
maca
maca
magnesium
omega-3 fatty acids
phytocannabinoids
selenium
black ginger
spearmint leaf
tongkat ali
vitamin B6
vitamin D
zinc
sarsaparilla
Equol (proprietary)
barrenwort
yohimbe
19-NorAndrost-4ene-3b-ol,17-one
19-Nor-DHEA
11-Keto-Androstenetrione
17 beta-hydroxy 2 alpha,17beta-dimethyl 5 alpha-androstan 3-one azine
17 alpha methyl 17 beta hydroxy 5 alpha androst 2 ene
18-Methylestr-4-en-3-one-17b-ol
1-androsterone
17b-hydroxy-2a,17b-dimethyl-5a-androstan-3-one-azine
17a-Methyl-1,4-androstadiene-3b, 17b-diol
1-Androstenedione
17beta-[{1-Ketoethyl}-androsta-1, 4-diene-3-one,17a-ol]
17beta-hydroxy 2alpha,17alpha-dimethyl 5alpha-androstan 3-one azine
19-Norandrostenediol
17a-di methyl-bol
13-Ethyl-3-Methoxy-Gona-2,5(10)-Diene-17-One
17 beta-[1-ketoethyl]-androstane-3-one,17a-ol
19-Norandrosta-drol
17beta-(1-ketoethyl)-androstane-3-one, 17a-ol
11-Ketotestosterone
25-d-spirosta-3, 5-diene
2a, 17a -dimethyl-5a androstan, 17b-ol 3, 3-azine
2, 17a-dimethyl-17b-hydroxy-5a-androst-2-ene
26-diol, 5 alpha-furostan-12-one-3 beta, 22, 26-triol
2a 17a -dimethyl 17a hydroxy, 5a etiocholan 3-one
2a,3a-epithio-17a-methyl-5a-androstan-17b-ol
2, 17a-dimethyl-17b-hydroxy-5a-androstan-1-ene-3-one
2a, 17a-dimethyl-17b-hydroxy-5a-androstan-3-one
3beta-hydroxy-5alpha-androst-1-en-17-one
3-Alpha-Hydroxyetioallocholan-17-one
3b-Hydroxy-androstan-17-one
3b-Enanthoxyandrost-1-en-17-one
3-deoxy 7-oxo DHEA
3-Ketosteroid
3b-hydroxy-androsta-1,4,6-triene-17-one
3,4-Divanillyltetrahydrofuran
3b-hydroxy-androsta-4,6-diene-17-one
3-hydroxy-5alpha-androst-1-en-17-one
4 Androstene 4 chloro 17 alpha methyl 3 beta 17 beta diol
4-DHEA
4-Androstene-3,6,17-trione
4-androsterone
5-alpha-furost-20(22)-en-12-one-3 beta, 26-diol
5-androstene-3alpha,17beta-diol
5-alpha-furostan-12-one-3 beta, 22, 26-triol
5-androsten-3beta-ol-17-one
5,7-Dimethoxyflavone
5alpha-spirostan-2alpha,3beta, 5alpha-triol-6-OH
5-Alpha-Hydroxy Laxogenin
6-Bromoandrostenedione
6-Ketodiosgenin
6, 17 keto etiocholeva-3-ol 3, 17 ketoetiochol-triene
6 Bromo 3, 17 dioxoetioallochalane
7,4-Dimethoxyflavone
7a-alpha-methyl-estra-4-en-3,17-dione
7-Alpha-Hydroxy-DHEA
7b-hydroxy, 17b-dihydro DHEA
7-Hydroxy-DHEA (unspecified)
Ashwagandha
Androstenedione
Apigenin
Arimistane
Androstenetrione
Alkaloid (unspecified)
Ajuga turkestanica
Agnusides
Androstenedione
Arimidrol
Alkaloids
Andarine
Androsterone 3-Acetate
alkaloid
Agnuside
androstatrienedione
Anti-aromatase
Androsterone
Black galingale
Boron
Bulbine natalensis
Borate
Boron
Boron (various)
Beef
Butea superba
Boron Alpha-Ketoglutarate
Boron ascorbate
Boron picolinate
Chlorodehydromethylandrostenediol
Chloromethylandrostenediol
Chrysin
Cacao
Cyanostane
Coffee (mixed)
Cyanotis arachnoides
Chrysin
Cholesterol
Divanillyltetrahydrofuran
Dioscorea hondurensis
DHEA
D-Aspartic Acid
Desoxydiosgenin
DHEA
Dimethazine
Diindolylymethane
Diosgenin
Dymethazine
Dienedione
Eurycomanone
Epistane
Egg
Epimedium
Epindrosterone
Eurycoma Longifolia
Epiandrosterone
Eurypeptides
Epimedium extract
Egg
Epiandrosterone
Ester derivatives (unspecified)
Epidedium
Epiandrostenolone
Fat (unspecified)
Fenuside
Furostanols (unspecified)
formononetin
Furazadrol
Fish
Fatty Acid (unspecified)
Fish
Fadogia agrestis
Furanosteroid
Fish (including shell)
Ginsenosides
Ginsenosides (unspecified)
Ginseng
Ginseng (unspecified)
Ginsenoside
Ginsenosides
Horny Goat Weed
Halodrol
Isoflavones (unspecified)
Isoflavones
icariin
Isoflavones (mixed)
Ketosterone
Ketosterone (unspecified)
Ketotserones
Laxosterone
Lipids (unspecified)
Ligandrol
Lipids
Macamides
Maral Root
Methoxydienone
Massularia acuminata
Massularia auminata
Methylstenbelone
Maca
Methylclostebol
Methylepitiostanol
methylstenbolone
Methyl-1-Etiocholenolol-Epietiocholanolone
Macaenes
Oil (unspecified)
Orchic
Oyster
Orchic
oyster
Protodioscin
Protodioscin
Pregnane
Pine Pollen
Phytoestrogen (unspecified)
Phytoestrol (unspecified)
Rhaponticum carthamoides
Rosabin
Sapogenin
Spirostan-5A-Diol-6-one-3-one
Safed musli
Stanodrol
Sterones (unspecified)
Saw Palmetto
Saturated fat
S-23
Trenbolone
Testes
Testosterone precursor (unspecified)
Total Fat
Tribulus
Trenavar
testicle
Thai kudzu
Tribulus alatus
Testolone
Withanolides
YK-11
YK11
Yohimbines (unspecified)
Zinc magnesium aspartate
