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Testosterone is the holy grail of muscle-building hormones. It is naturally produced in males, and to a lesser degree in females. The biologically active form known as Free Testosterone interacts with muscle cells and is the key driver of protein synthesis and muscle growth. Only a small fraction of the Testosterone your body produces remains as Free Testosterone, which limits your anabolic potential. Your physiology, age, training level, diet, lifestyle and overall health all affect Free Testosterone levels, either positively or negatively.

In males, Testosterone is mainly produced in the testes. It is an Androgenic hormone – which means it produces male characteristics like increased muscle mass, facial hair and a deep voice. It also plays an important role in male sex drive and fertility.

Low Testosterone

System levels of Testosterone are regulated by your Hypothalamus and Pituitary Gland. However as we age Testosterone production naturally declines, which in turn can affect your body’s ability to recover and build muscle. But many other conditions can also reduce system Testosterone levels.   Generally, your levels vary throughout the day and usually peak during the morning between 7 – 10am and are lowest in the evenings. Testosterone levels also increase after hard intense exercise, but can decrease following exhaustive endurance training. If testing shows a low Testosterone level, causes can include:

• Age – Testosterone production generally starts to decline each year after the age of 30
• Illness (including type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, high blood pressure)
• Medications – many can interfere with natural Testosterone production
• Over-training – training too hard, too often will reduce Testosterone production

Symptoms of Low Testosterone

Younger healthy males shouldn’t have low Testosterone; however modern lifestyles, pollution, stress, diet, and a hectic schedule can wreak havoc on healthy Testosterone levels. Some symptoms of low Testosterone levels include:

• Low energy levels
• Difficulty building muscle mass
• Decreased sex drive, hair loss or slow hair and nail growth
• Slow recovery from exercise
• Increased susceptibility to mild infections like colds
• Increased irritability
• Poor sleep quality
• Difficulty in concentrating