Measuring what makes you a man.
Testosterone, that is. While not the only thing that makes you manly, testosterone levels provide a clear picture of what’s going on with your overall health. A simple test helps your BodyLogicMD doctor develop a treatment plan that will get you back in balance. Then, and this is the best part, you can go back to enjoying all those things that make you the man you are.
Testosterone Levels in Men
Balanced testosterone levels are an integral part of a man’s overall health and wellness. Diminished testosterone levels in men, as found in andropause, can cause a gradual progression of unpleasant symptoms including gynecomastia, hair loss, erectile dysfunction, low sex drive, and muscle loss. The BodyLogicMD comprehensive hormone testing for men measure all the hormones that impact testosterone levels in men, including dihydrotestosterone (DHT), estrogen, cortisol, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), and bio-available testosterone.
Testosterone “Normal Range”
Until recently, the “normal range” of testosterone levels in men was determined to be between 250ng/dl and 1100ng/dl. This wide range depicts the ideal testosterone levels for men at any age, yet many men at the lower end of that spectrum do not feel well at all. Your BodyLogicMD physician will look at your individual testosterone levels in comparison with your symptoms to find the optimal testosterone levels for you. Our highly trained physicians have determined the optimal range to fall between 700ng/dl and 1100ng/dl; what many men experience in their late 20’s and early 30’s. Every man is different; what is optimal level for you may not be another man’s optimal level.
Bio-available Testosterone
The amount of testosterone a man has in his body means little if it cannot be utilized. At BodyLogicMD, we test men for the sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), the main protein that testosterone binds to when traveling through the body. The bio-available testosterone is the testosterone that is not bound to protein and is therefore accessible for your body to utilize. Even if you have high levels of testosterone, if too much is bound to protein, it is practically useless and can still cause low testosterone symptoms. “Normal range” for bio-available testosterone is around 150ng/dl to 575ng/dl. BodyLogicMD’s physicians define optimal levels between 350ng/dl to 575ng/dl, though it is different for every individual.
Estrogen and Testosterone
In some cases, low testosterone levels in men may be caused by the conversion of testosterone into estrogen, an aromatase reaction; one important reason we test estrogen levels in men. To control this reaction, your BodyLogicMD physician may suggest a nutritional plan along with pharmaceutical-grade supplements in combination with bioidentical testosterone replacement therapy. Uncontrolled, the high estrogen levels can cause prostate cancer, gynecomastia, muscle loss and more.
Dihydrotestosterone, Cortisol and Testosterone
Male testosterone is converted into the more potent dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by the enzyme 5 alpha reductase. In some men, low testosterone levels may be a result of too much DHT caused by 5 alpha reductase. Men may experience male menopause symptoms including hair loss if levels are too high. Testosterone replacement and controlling that conversion with other prescriptions is often a successful solution.
High stress cortisol levels also inhibit testosterone levels in men. Cortisol can interfere with the way that testosterone binds to its receptors making it less effective as it cannot react in the body as well.
Bioidentical Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Natural bioidentical testosterone replacement therapy can help in combination with proper nutrition/supplements and fitness. BodyLogicMD can help balance testosterone levels in men to restore health and vitality.
Contact the BodyLogicMD bioidentical hormone therapy physician nearest you to schedule an appointment and learn more about how bioidentical testosterone replacement therapy can balance testosterone levels in men.
