How to increase testosterone levels in men: naturally, foods and medications

Testosterone levels in men

The main male hormone is mainly synthesized by the testes from cholesterol (with the help of Leydig cells) and in small quantities from androstenedione , produced by the zona reticularis of the adrenal cortex. It is responsible for the formation of male sexual characteristics, spermatogenesis, physique, facial features, affects the production and smell of sweat. Testosterone distributes fat evenly in the male body, so men are less likely to be overweight than women. This steroid hormone is also present in women, but in minute amounts - 0.24-2.75 nmol/l.

Scientists have identified two types of testosterone present in human blood:

• Free. Not associated with albumin, hemoglobin. Its concentration increases until about 25-30 years of age and is about 2-3% compared to the second type.
• Connected. This fraction is associated with blood proteins. This type of hormone is divided into two types:

1. Male sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). It makes up a large, but inactive, part of all testosterone available in the body - up to 70%.
2. Loosely bound testosterone. Forms a fraction with albumin and occupies up to 40% of the blood.

The amount of the main male hormone in the body is not constant. Its change depends on the age and physical characteristics of the stronger sex. Exceeding the permissible values ​​may indicate the development of pathologies of the testicles and adrenal glands. The normal level of testosterone in men of different age categories is as follows:

Reasons for increased testosterone in men

Excessive levels of the sex hormone - hyperandrogenism - can be caused by pathological changes occurring inside the body, or by the influence of external factors on it. Internal causes of increased testosterone are:

• tumors of the adrenal glands, testicles;
• androgen resistance;
• congenital androsteroma (hyperplasia) of the adrenal cortex;
• early puberty, when muscle and bone tissue rapidly grows, the penis acquires a normal or enlarged size, and the testicles and psycho-emotional development remain at the childish level;
• neoplasms in the pituitary gland;
• Reifenstein syndrome;
• Itsenko-Cushing syndrome;
• obesity;
• liver and kidney diseases;
• endocrine diseases and disruption of the sebaceous glands.

There are reasons that are not related to genetic diseases and malfunctions of internal organs, but have no less impact on increasing testosterone levels. Hypertestosteronemia in men can develop as a result of the influence of the following external factors:

• the use of hormonal drugs that increase muscle mass, anabolic steroids, tranquilizers, gestagens;
• excessive physical activity;
• insufficient sleep time;
• poor nutrition;
• alcohol abuse;
• smoking;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• irregular sexual intercourse.

Medications

To increase testosterone levels, doctors usually prescribe synthetic-based pharmaceuticals. They compensate for the lack of natural hormone and accelerate its biosynthesis. The use of such medications gives positive results in a short time, but they should only be taken under the supervision of a doctor so as not to harm your health.

Andriol

The drug is intended to raise the level of endogenous testosterone and stabilize protein, phosphorus, and nitrogen metabolism. Andriol also has a positive effect on the formation of male genital organs.

The tablet contains 40 mg of testosterone undecanoate dissolved in cis-9-octadecenoic acid. In one package – 30 or 60 pieces. They are placed in bottles with an airtight lid.

Indications for use of Andriol:

• Symptoms of menopause in men (weakened potency, decreased mental activity, lack of sexual desire, etc.);
• Osteoporosis caused by androgen deficiency;
• Erectile dysfunction due to unstable hormonal levels;
• Eunuchoidism;
• Post-castration syndrome.

Take the drug after eating food, 120 mg per day. The dose is divided into two doses. The first stage of treatment lasts 2-3 weeks. Afterwards the dose should be adjusted by the doctor. You should not take the pill if you have prostate carcinoma.

The cost of Andriol in pharmacies is 1300 rubles.

Important!

Andriol has many analogues: Aveed, Restandol, Nebido, Pantestone, Cernos Depot, Undestor and Reandron-1000. They have a common composition, but different release forms.

Vermodje Metilver

An effective hormonal agent with methyltestosterone, endowed with androgenic activity. Prescribed for:

• Ovarian cancer;
• Insufficient development of secondary sexual characteristics in young men;
• Impotence caused by lack of testosterone;
• Symptoms of menopause;
• Eunuchoidism;
• Problems in sexual development in adolescents.

The drug has side effects, among which the leading ones are swelling, excessively increased libido, dizziness and nausea. Vermodje Metilver is contraindicated for men with testicular cancer.

The dose and duration of medication is selected by the doctor based on the results of hormone tests. The instructions indicate that for mild testosterone deficiency, the drug should be taken at a dose of 25 mg per day. The maximum permissible dose of Vermodje Metilver for an adult is 50 mg per day. You cannot take the medicine without a doctor’s prescription, although it is sold in pharmacies without a prescription for 2000-2100 rubles per 100 tablets.

Signs of high testosterone in men

Deviation of hormonal levels from the norm is detected using a laboratory blood test. If tumor tumors in the adrenal glands are suspected, ultrasound examination (US), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is performed; in the testicles - puncture and histological examination are performed; In order to exclude pathologies of the pituitary gland, an x-ray of the skull is taken.

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Excess testosterone in the blood manifests itself externally. A normal level of androgenic hormone maintains a positive psycho-emotional state of the stronger sex. If a man notes that he has become more irritable, unreasonably aggressive, overly excitable, or hot-tempered, this is a reason to suspect the development of hypertestosteronomia. Manifestations of increased testosterone are:

• suicidal thoughts;
• increased body hair growth;
• baldness;
• acne;
• migraine, sleep disturbance;
• weight gain due to increased muscle mass;
• low voice;
• increased libido;
• slow growth, development (in adolescents).

Testosterone in the male body

Testosterone in the fetus

In the fetus, after 4 weeks of gestation, under the influence of testosterone, the seminal vesicles and prostate develop, and the masculinization of the embryo occurs, i.e. The sex of the child is determined.

During puberty

• During adolescence, there is a spurt in the growth of the bone skeleton with expansion of the chest and enlargement of the shoulders, growth of the jaw, chin and forehead.
• Muscle mass increases with a simultaneous increase in strength.
• The Adam's apple grows and the voice becomes rougher due to thickening of the vocal cords.
• Subcutaneous fat on the face decreases, but the sebaceous glands expand and begin to work harder, which can lead to conditions for acne.
• Pubic and armpit hair appears, hair appears on the upper lip.
• As you get older, hair growth spreads to your lower face, abdomen, chest and legs.
• The external genitalia become enlarged and libido increases.
• At the same time, spermatogenesis increases and the ability to conceive increases.

High testosterone levels may cause scalp hair loss. Testosterone neutralizes the effects of stress hormones (cortisol) and causes a feeling of contentment with life and joy. The higher the level of the hormone, the more aggressive, passionate and cheerful the man is.

Testosterone in mature men

• As we approach old age, the level of testosterone in the blood and the sensitivity of its receptors gradually decrease (by about 1.5% per year after 35 years), causing a physiological or pathological (menopause) decline in sexual function.
• At the same time, problems appear in the health of the heart and blood vessels, osteoporosis may occur, the autonomic nervous system suffers, and mood instability and irritability increase.
• The likelihood of Alzheimer's disease also increases.

Consequences of increased testosterone

If left untreated, excess testosterone in men can lead to disastrous results. The main problem is a decrease in sperm activity, resulting in infertility. At the same time, other serious consequences develop:

• discomfort when urinating;
• adenoma, prostate cancer;
• testicular atrophy;
• erection problems, impotence;
• disruption of the heart, up to rupture of the heart muscle;
• thrombosis;
• arterial hypertension;
• acne;
• formation of cholesterol plaques in blood vessels;
• liver and kidney diseases;
• swelling of the face and limbs due to malfunction of the adrenal glands;
• gaining excess weight.

Treatment for high testosterone

Before you try to get rid of excess androgen, find out the reasons for the occurrence of this phenomenon. Start by analyzing possible external causes: adjust your diet, normalize your sleep time, give up bad habits, take steroids, etc. To make sure there are no benign or malignant tumors, undergo the necessary medical examination.

Hormonal levels in men can be restored with medication. To do this, the doctor prescribes medications that normalize androgen levels in the blood. Medicines containing an analogue of luteinizing hormone help solve the problem in adolescence. If an excess of testosterone in men is caused by tumors in the adrenal glands or testicles, surgical intervention will be required.

Drugs containing estrogens, which neutralize the male sex hormone, help reduce high testosterone levels in For this purpose, the following means are used:

• Carbamazepine,
• Cyclophosphamide,
• Magnesia,
• Digoxin,
• Finasteride,
• Ketoconazole,
• Nafarelin.

Many drugs for normalizing steroid hormone levels are potent, so only a doctor can prescribe them for use, calculate the dosage, and the duration of the course of treatment. Timely initiation of therapy, combined with the right lifestyle and diet, will help quickly eliminate hormonal imbalance in a man’s blood.

Nutrition

High levels of the male hormone, if it is not associated with genetic or tumor diseases, can be normalized through proper nutrition . On a diet, it is recommended to eat the following foods and dishes:

• flaxseed oil, soy, red grapes (they all contain phytoestrogens);
• salty dishes;
• eggs;
• full fat milk;
• drinks containing caffeine;
• herbal infusions based on flax, licorice, angelica, red clover, spearmint, linden blossom.

Protein foods and foods containing sugar help increase the level of the male hormone. In this regard, the following should be excluded from the diet:

• meat,
• fish,
• glucose,
• starch,
• greenery,
• red wine.

It is recommended to follow a diet to lower testosterone levels for no more than 10-12 days, since with a decrease in the male hormone in the blood, the presence of female estrogen increases. Its excess can negatively affect the condition of the body. While adhering to proper nutrition, it is advisable to avoid excessive physical activity, which increases androgen levels.

What is testosterone?

The most important male hormone responsible for reproductive function is testosterone. It belongs to the group of androgens. Even from the beginning of fetal formation, testosterone begins to be produced in the gonads and is subsequently produced for the rest of life.

After age 30, hormone production decreases by almost 2% every year. If testosterone decreases to very low levels, this has a detrimental effect on the male body and the quality of sexual function. Therefore, doctors recommend taking additional medications that will help normalize the level of the hormone in the blood and return the man to a full life.