When testosterone levels are too high for too long, the body may respond by downregulating receptors or altering the feedback mechanisms that maintain hormonal balance. Moderate levels support healthy sleep patterns, but excessive testosterone can interfere with the natural sleep cycle, reducing time spent in deep, restorative sleep stages. The body carefully regulates this hormone through a feedback loop involving the brain, pituitary gland, and testes, keeping levels within a range that supports health without tipping into excess. As you grow older, the level of testosterone in your body naturally decreases, leading to a variety of changes. Dr. James R. Staheli is the Medical Director for Broad Health, Hone Health’s affiliated medical practice and a family medicine doctor in Atlanta, Georgia. You can test your levels with an at-home kit or a blood test. Testosterone levels begin to decline when you reach your mid-thirties, and drop further as you age. You could fill a whole refrigerator with the variety of hormone-healthy foods you can add to your plate. Your body then metabolizes your total testosterone into other substances to keep you functioning optimally. As its name suggests, total testosterone is the total amount of testosterone in your bloodstream. "But it’s hard to say where ‘average’ is for your age, since it can depend on so many criteria," says McDevitt. Testosterone levels in men can vary widely, though they generally decline in men after the age of 35 says McDevitt. To determine what’s a good testosterone level for your age, you also need to look at the clinical picture. But you don’t have to experience the negative symptoms that come with hormone declines. At its peak, during your adolescent years, a normal range for your testosterone is anywhere between 300 and 1,200 ng/dL (4). The longer the testicles remain suppressed, the more difficult it can become to restore normal function, though recovery is often possible with proper treatment. Additionally, very high testosterone can convert to estrogen through a process called aromatization, and elevated estrogen in men can cause sexual dysfunction, mood changes, and even breast tissue development. Some men with very high testosterone report that their libido becomes intrusive or difficult to manage, interfering with focus, work, and daily activities. You might expect that higher testosterone would always mean stronger sexual desire and better sexual function, but the reality is more complicated. They're external markers of internal hormone levels and can provide important clues about what's happening systemically. These changes happen because hair follicles convert testosterone into a more potent androgen called dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. If you're using testosterone therapy, your clinician can evaluate whether your current protocol is contributing to the problem. If you’re getting a total testosterone blood test, you may need to get it in the morning since testosterone levels are highest then. Your healthcare provider may recommend this test if you have symptoms that could point to high or low testosterone. A testosterone test is a blood test that measures your levels of testosterone, a hormone. Even with an abnormally low level that is replicated on a repeat test, the decision to begin testosterone replacement therapy and the proper dose requires a careful conversation with your doctor. Checking testosterone levels is as easy as having a blood test.
