What is Testosterone? Testosterone is a sex hormone that travels from one organ to other parts of the body through the bloodstream. It affects various body functions. As the primary male sex hormone, it helps develop men's growth and masculine characteristics, especially during puberty. So, how do the testes produce testosterone? The brain sends signals to the pituitary gland, which signals the testes to produce the hormone. If the testosterone levels elevate, the brain signals the pituitary gland to reduce production. What Does Testosterone Do? Testosterone serves many purposes, such as: Develops penis and testes Deepens the male voice during puberty Promotes the appearance of facial and pubic hair Improves muscle strength and size Boosts bone growth and strength Increases sex drive Helps in sperm production Adolescent boys who fail to increase testosterone UK won’t achieve normal masculinisation. For instance, their penis may not enlarge, and their voice won’t be as deep. Their facial and body hair will be scantier, too. Testosterone and Women Testosterone is also crucial for women, where the ovaries and adrenal glands produce it. Some of its roles include: Improves ovarian function Strengthens bones Boosts libido Balanced oestrogen and testosterone levels are essential in ensuring that ovaries function correctly. [TEST] Can You Have Too Much Testosterone? Testosterone is essential, but there are times when the levels vary dramatically. Often, people consider those with excessive testosterone as those who engage in road rage and fights. Others link abnormally high testosterone levels with athletes who take anabolic steroids and other hormones to improve their performance and increase muscle mass. There are many problems associated with too much testosterone, such as: Low sperm count Impotence Shrunken testicles Enlargement of the prostate gland with difficulty urinating Liver disease Weight gain Poor sleep quality Acne High cholesterol High blood pressure Headaches Fluid retention resulting in swelling of the legs and feet Increased risk of blood clots Increased muscle mass Stunted growth in puberty Mood swings, including irritability, impaired judgment, and euphoria In women, having too much testosterone can cause polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), wherein the ovaries contain several cysts. The symptoms include: Irregular menstruation Excess facial and pubic hair Reduced fertility Male-pattern baldness Weight gain Darkened and thickened skin Depression and anxiety Decreased breast size Deepening of the voice Can You Have Too Little Testosterone? Testosterone deficiency is common, especially among men. Their testosterone levels gradually drop from 1% to 2% annually as they age. The pituitary gland has fewer signals for the testes to produce more testosterone, causing it to make less hormone. Further, men’s liver produces more sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), which binds testosterone in the bloodstream. Here are the symptoms of testosterone deficiency: Reduced facial and body hair Loss of muscle mass Poor libido Impotence Reduced testicles and sperm count Increased breast size Irritability Poor concentration Brittle bones Many men suffering from testosterone deficiency experience symptoms of low testosterone, which can be alleviated by taking testosterone replacement. Getting Tested for Low Testosterone Levels There's no better way to determine if you need to increase your testosterone UK than getting tested. You no longer have to leave the house to test your testosterone levels. Check out Vitall's top testosterone blood test kits below: Vitall’s Testosterone Home Test kit This testosterone home blood test kit is perfect for checking your testosterone levels. As men age, it’s normal for their sex hormones to decline. However, too low levels can lead to deficiency, which causes many symptoms and triggers other health problems. Measuring your testosterone levels the moment you experience the symptoms can help you and your doctor look for the best treatments, including the ideal supplements you can take for your condition. The kit comes with a finger-prick blood home test kit that allows you to collect your blood sample and a postage-free envelope to send your sample to an accredited lab immediately. You can expect your results usually within 24 hours. Vitall’s Free Testosterone and SHGB Home Test Kit Another well-known blood test from Vitall is the Free Testosterone and SHGB Home Test Kit, which measures vital biomarkers like albumin (ALB), sex hormone binding globulin (SHGB), and testosterone to help assess your free androgen index (fai). This kit makes testing easy, convenient, and affordable. You can collect your blood sample at home or through a nurse visit. You can also go to the clinic. Once you’ve collected your blood sample, you can mail it to an accredited lab for free and get the results typically within 24 hours. Vitall’s Free Testosterone and SHGB Home Test Kit measures free testosterone, the amount available for your body’s consumption and not bound to other proteins in your bloodstream. Moreover, it can help identify health problems caused by hormonal imbalances like male hypogonadism, androgen deficiencies, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women. Further, many use this blood test kit to monitor the effectiveness of HRT. How to Increase Testosterone UK Naturally Did you know that there are numerous ways you can boost your testosterone levels naturally? Here are some of them: 1. Exercise Exercise has been tested and proven as one of the most effective ways to combat lifestyle-related health problems. The good news is it can improve your testosterone levels, too. A study demonstrated that increasing physical activity works better than restricting calorie intake to increase testosterone UK. The effects on your testosterone levels vary according to the type of exercise and training intensity, with lifting weights the most effective. You’ll also reap the same benefits when you do resistant or high-intensity interval training. 2. Eat protein, fat, and carbs The kind of food you eat also affects your testosterone levels. The secret is to include protein-rich food, healthy fats, and carbs and avoid constant dieting or overeating. A nutritious and balanced diet consisting primarily of whole foods can do wonders in optimising your hormone levels and improving overall health. 3. Manage stress and cortisol levels A sudden increase in your cortisol levels can quickly reduce testosterone. Cortisol and testosterone have a seesaw-like relationship wherein when one goes up, the other comes down. Too much stress and high cortisol are accompanied by increased food intake, resulting in weight gain. Harmful body fat gets stored around your organs, causing negative impacts on your testosterone levels and other hormones. It’s vital to manage stress effectively by staying active, sleeping well, and doing stress-relieving strategies like meditation. 4. Increase vitamin D intake Vitamin D contributes to various body functions. This micronutrient can affect testosterone levels, too. However, many people suffer from vitamin D deficiency, which results in lower testosterone levels. Boost vitamin D levels through sun exposure or taking vitamin D3 supplements as your doctor recommends. Such supplements are known to increase testosterone UK and help with erectile dysfunction. 5. Get quality sleep Aside from diet and exercise, getting quality sleep is essential for your overall health and wellness. A study proved that impaired sleep could contribute to lower testosterone levels. Another study claimed that men who sleep only five hours a night have reduced their testosterone levels to 10% to 15%. Maintain healthy testosterone levels by sleeping at least 7 hours a night. It will also help with stress management and having a healthier mind and body. 6. Consider taking supplements There are many supplements you can take to boost your testosterone levels. For instance, zinc supplements can help increase testosterone UK while improving sexual function among postmenopausal women having low zinc levels. Meanwhile, men experiencing testosterone deficiency and infertility can benefit from it, too. There are herbal supplements like saw palmetto, ashwagandha, and ginger, known to improve testosterone levels. However, more studies are needed to prove such a claim. Always talk to your doctor before taking any supplement. 7. Avoid chemicals containing oestrogen Another effective way to increase testosterone UK levels naturally is by reducing exposure to oestrogen-like chemicals such as parabens, bisphenol-A (BPA), and some chemicals found in plastic. 8. Limit your alcohol intake Excessive alcohol consumption harms your testosterone levels, which may drop 30 minutes after drinking alcohol. Moreover, heavy alcohol intake can cause reduced testicular function and atrophy. If you can’t give up drinking, drink moderately to avoid deficiency. 9. Consume honey Honey contains chemical compounds that help prevent damage to the Leydig cells found in the testes and are responsible for producing testosterone. Consume honey to stimulate the body to produce more luteinising hormone, which prompts the testes to produce testosterone. 10. Take a supplement The US Food and Drug Administration emphasises that supplements cannot claim to treat health conditions. However, there are certain supplements known to help increase testosterone levels. These are some of them: Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) – is a traditional Indian medicine used to help with sexual dysfunction and infertility. It improves testosterone levels, sperm count, and motility. Vitamin D – known as cholecalciferol, helps fight off bacteria and viruses. It also reduces the risk of osteoporosis by assisting the bones to absorb calcium. Zinc – it’s a micronutrient that fights off bacteria and viruses. It also helps produce DNA and repair wounds faster. Aside from boosting testosterone levels, it also improves sperm quality. Excellent sources of zinc are poultry, red meat, beans, nuts, dairy products, seafood, and fortified cereals. Garlic (Allium sativum) – commonly used in cooking, garlic has numerous health benefits. It’s a natural remedy for atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, and other heart-related diseases. It also strengthens the immune system and prevents cancer. Pine bark extract (Pinus pinaster) - is packed with natural compounds known as proanthocyanidins. It can lower cholesterol, improve blood flow, and support cardiovascular health. It’s often paired with L-arginine aspartate to reduce symptoms of erectile dysfunction and increase testosterone levels. However, you must avoid this supplement if you are taking chemotherapy, anticoagulants, and immunosuppressive medications. Arginine (L-arginine) – the body produces the amino acid L-arginine, which it uses to increase blood flow. In return, it helps with erectile dysfunction and symptoms of testosterone deficiency. L-arginine can be sourced from dairy, poultry, fish, and red meat. Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) – this commonly used supplement may help improve sex drive, sperm production, and low testosterone symptoms. Malaysian ginseng (Eurycoma longifolia) – known as Tongkat ali, this native Southeast Asian plant is packed with antimalarial, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and fever-reducing properties. It’s also an aphrodisiac. A study reported that Malaysian ginseng helped increase the total and free testosterone and improved muscle strength. Also, it promotes better mood and helps the body overcome testosterone-related health conditions. What Is Testosterone Replacement Therapy? Testosterone Replacement Therapy is a treatment offered by doctors to men suffering from testosterone deficiency and having symptoms of hypogonadism. It can increase testosterone UK effectively and provide benefits like better mood, sex drive, energy, and overall health. Who Is Testosterone Replacement Therapy For, And How Does It Work? Doctors usually don’t recommend TRT immediately for those with low testosterone levels. They’re mainly prescribed to men with hypogonadism. You need to take blood tests for proper diagnosis and have other symptoms like breast enlargement, fatigue, and low sex drive. What are the Benefits of TRT? There are many benefits of TRT. It can improve sexual function, including sex drive and erectile dysfunction. Further, it can maintain bone density and boost cognitive function. How to Get TRT and Its Different Forms After a thorough check-up, you can only get TRT with a doctor’s prescription. Your medical history will be analysed, and you must undergo several physical and laboratory exams. TRT comes in many forms, and they’re all designed to help increase testosterone UK. These include: Skin patch (transdermal) – is worn mainly on the upper arm once a day. Gels – testosterone gels are applied once a day. They’re used directly and absorbed by the skin. Others can be applied inside the nose. Mouth patch – a tablet applied twice a day on the upper gums. Injections and implants – testosterone can be injected directly into your muscles, while some come in pellets, which doctors implant in the soft tissues for your body to absorb slowly. Though TRT is effective in increasing testosterone UK, it also has side effects like infertility, blood clots, insomnia, enlarged prostate, and cholesterol-related conditions.