Testosterone is mainly considered the male hormone. It is responsible in the development of muscle mass and decreased fat mass as well as male sexual characteristics.

An adult male can produce up to 60 times more testosterone than an adult female.

Testosterone is the primary androgen, but other androgens include dehydroepiaandrosterone (DHEA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA –S), and androstenedione.

Testosterone is derived from cholesterol via the steriodonic pathways. Along these pathways, if there is an excessive amount of cortisol being produced, which is a stress hormone, insufficient amounts of androgen will be produced.

Testosterone levels in males have been constantly decreasing. World renowned strength and conditioning coach Charles Poliquin quotes “Though our work at the Poliquin Performance Centres’, we have seen, for example, professional hockey players in their 30s with testosterone levels of 70 year old females. And we have discovered by talking to high school coaches that young athletes often appear to be much weaker than their counterparts of 20 years ago, despite the fact that knowledge about training has improved along with the increased availability of training facilities”

Some factors that can negatively affect androgen levels are:

Inflammation, which will increase cortisol

Exposure to electromagnetic forces

Alcohol, particularly beer

Poor sleep

Male levels of the hormone generally peak in the late 20s, and after 40 years of age it decreases about 1% per year. Signs of low or inadequate levels of testosterone include the following:

Reduced muscle mass and strength

Low sex drive

Erectile dysfunction

Decreased bone density

Increased irritability or depression

High tricep skinfold measurement

A male with optimal testosterone levels will have a tricep skinfold of 5mm or less, if it is 10mm he is bottom of the range of testosterone levels. Anything over 15mm shows a catastrophic level of testosterone and maybe you should be wearing a skirt and waxing your legs.

If you have a high pectoral skinfold measurement, this shows that you may have low androgens due to excessive aromatisation.

The problem can be rectified with diet and lifestyle changes, and also with supplementation. With BioSignature, developed by Charles Poliquin not only are your hormone levels measured, but advice and specific protocols are given to bring hormone levels back to normal.

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