How to understand testosterone tests?

 The complexities surrounding hormonal malfunctions and the role of testosterone in the male body require that doctors recommend testosterone tests. The hormonal malfunction associated with a lack of testosterone can result in a myriad of symptoms, including but not limited to a decrease in desire for the opposite sex, frequent urination, obesity of the female type, arrhythmia, skin rashes, insomnia, mood swings, and chronic fatigue.

Testosterone levels in the male body are subject to various factors, and its presence is presented in three states: free, active, and inactive. While the normal level of the free state is 4% or even less of the total, the active state ranges from 25-40% of the total, while the inactive state ranges from 60-70%. This complexity means that there are different types of testosterone tests that a man can take, depending on the indication. It is crucial to decipher the index of free testosterone in the analysis, taking into account the age of the patient.

The age categories and the corresponding norms for free testosterone levels in the blood are as follows: for a 12-year-old, it is 0-4.6 pg/ml; for 12-19 years old, it is 0.18-23.08 pg/ml; for 19-55 years old, it is 1-28.28 pg/ml, and for those after 55 years of age, it is 0.70-21.45 pg/ml. Any deviation from the norm requires a doctor's consultation.

The figures may be higher or lower than expected due to certain factors, according to the textbook "Biochemistry" edited by Professor Severin ES. For example, if the index exceeds the specified norms, which is often found in adolescents, it may indicate puberty in the first place. Conversely, when the index is below normal, which is always found in middle-aged men with obvious signs of gynecomastia, it indicates obesity, prostatitis, liver and kidney failure, uremia, and other diseases. Therefore, it is imperative that patients with readings below the norm seek advice from a specialist.

The concentration of androgen, the hormone that testosterone belongs to, depends on a large number of factors. These factors include a man's diet, bad habits, chronic diseases, the state of the immune system, and hypodynamia. Furthermore, the season and time of day of the test can also influence the results. Therefore, to better understand testosterone tests, it is important to consider the perplexing and bursting concepts that surround the hormone and its role in the male body.