Your gonads (sex organs) primarily manufacture the hormone testosterone. Specifically, the ovaries in persons assigned female at birth (AFAB) and the testicles in those designated male at birth (AMAB) generate testosterone.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which your body converts into testosterone and oestrogen, is another hormone that your adrenal glands make.
The primary androgen, testosterone, is responsible for promoting the development of masculine traits. In comparison to AFAB individuals, testosterone levels in AMAB individuals are naturally substantially greater.
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Both humans and other animals contain the hormone testosterone. The primary source of testosterone in males is the testicles. While in far lesser quantities, the ovaries of women also produce testosterone.
During puberty, testosterone production starts to rise dramatically and then starts to decline around the age of thirty.
Testosterone is essential for the development of sperm and is most commonly linked to sex drive. It also has an impact on red blood cell formation, bone and muscle mass, and how men store fat in their bodies.
The amount of testosterone a man has might also impact his mood.
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Depending on the period of life, testosterone plays various functions. These responsibilities include:
Testosterone increases libido in adults allocated to the feminine gender at birth. But most of the testosterone generated by the ovaries is transformed into estradiol, the main hormone involved in female sex.
Testosterone is essential for the production of sperm. It also:
Many of the changes observed in children designated male at birth during puberty are caused by testosterone and include:
The Y chromosome’s sex-related gene starts the development of the testicles in male newborns at around week seven in gestation. Testicles generate testosterone.
Testosterone triggers the development of the male internal and external reproductive organs during foetal development.
Based on age and gender, the two charts below show the typical normal ranges of testosterone. Nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) is the unit of measurement for this level.
It’s crucial to remember that the typical ranges for testosterone levels might change depending on the kind of blood test performed and the laboratory that does it. When interpreting your results, your provider will always refer to the typical ranges of your laboratory.┬а
Normal testosterone levels for people assigned male at birth:
| Age range | Normal testosterone range |
| Under 1 year old | Less than 12 ng/dL. |
| 1 to 5 years old. | Less than 12 ng/dL. |
| 6 to 10 years old. | Less than 25 ng/dL. |
| 11 to 15 years old. | Less than 830 ng/dL. |
| 16 to 17 years old. | 102 to 1010 ng/dL. |
| 18 to 99 years old. | 193 to 824 ng/dL. |
For individuals designated female at birth, normal testosterone levels are:
| Age range | Normal testosterone range |
| Under 1 year old. | Less than 21 ng/dL. |
| 1 to 5 years old. | Less than 12 ng/dL. |
| 6 to 10 years old. | Less than 25 ng/dL. |
| 11 to 17 years old. | Less than 79 ng/dL. |
| 18 to 99 years old. | Less than 40 ng/dL. |
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Your body may overproduce testosterone for many reasons, such as:
Sex-hormone-producing adrenal tumours are rare tumours that make too much androgen (testosterone), oestrogen or both.
Androgen-producing ovarian and testicular tumours can release excess testosterone.
The adrenal gland experiences an insufficiency of enzymes due to genetic abnormalities in CAH. Normally, the body uses these enzymes to aid in the production of cortisol, a hormone necessary for responding to stress. The adrenal glands overproduce other hormones, such as testosterone, in place of cortisol when the enzymes aren’t functioning properly.
Those with ovaries are susceptible to this hormonal imbalance. It takes place when the ovaries produce too much testosterone or androgens. Weight gain and excessive body hair are some of the physical signs brought on by this hormonal imbalance in reproduction.
Depending on your age and sex, too much testosterone has varied effects on your body.
It is improbable, and challenging to determine, that an adult designated male at birth has higher-than-normal testosterone levels.
An overabundance of testosterone in male-assigned newborns can cause (early) puberty or the onset of puberty before the age of nine.
Infants designated female at birth (AFAB) may have clitoris elongation, which might resemble a penis, due to high testosterone levels. Additionally, it may result in precocious puberty, or the onset of puberty before the age of eight.
In adults assigned to females at birth, high levels of testosterone may be a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This condition is very common тАФ up to 15% of people AFAB of reproductive age have it.
PCOS causes certain symptoms, including:
Your body controls the level of testosterone in your blood. Generally speaking, levels peak in the morning and fall during the day.
Your gonads, or testicles or ovaries, generate and release testosterone under the direction of your hypothalamus and pituitary gland.
The production of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) by your hypothalamus sets off the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) by your pituitary gland. After arriving in your gonads, LH causes the release and synthesis of testosterone. (LH more often causes the ovaries to produce more progesterone and oestrogen.)
A rise in blood testosterone levels inhibits the synthesis of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, assisting in the maintenance of normal testosterone levels.
Anomalies in your hypothalamus, pituitary gland, or gonads might result in abnormally high amounts of testosterone.
For those who are designated male at birth, testosterone plays a crucial role in both reproductive health and general health. You could feel uncomfortable if they are always high or low. It is always advisable to seek medical help from an experienced endocrinologist. Timely care and help can ensure an appropriate diagnosis and treatment of your condition.┬а
At the CK Birla Hospital, we ensure patients get holistic medical support which includes treatment in a compassionate environment. This patient-centric approach not only helps patients heal better but also ensures they are aware of the preventive measures as well. In case you need to consult an endocrinologist, reach out to us, or book a direct appointment with Dr. Kumar Saurav at the CK Birla Hospital.
The body uses the sex hormone testosterone for essential purposes. It’s believed to control men’s libido, or sex drive, as well as their bone mass, fat distribution, muscle mass, and sperm and red blood cell production. Converted from circulating testosterone to the oestrogen estradiol, very little testosterone remains in the body.
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is the most often used treatment. Usually, a doctor will only recommend TRT in cases when the patient exhibits several low testosterone symptoms and has blood test results that support the diagnosis. There are other ways to administer TRT, such as using skin patches.
Certain foods help in treating low testosterone levels, such as pomegranate, green leafy vegetables, ginger, onions, egg yolk, fatty fish, bananas and red meat.┬а
