Hormone replacement therapy has been found useful for increasing energy, lessening stress, controlling type 2 diabetes, getting rid of wrinkles and increasing muscular strength. These are a few of the benefits that millions of people who are supplementing their dwindling hormones experience.

Signs of the Problem

Do you relate to any of these?

Lessened libido

Decreased ability of male organs to function

Fatigue or a decrease in physical stamina

Difficulty remembering

Depression and anxiety

Threat of heart disease

Wasted muscles

Too much weight gain

Insufficient testosterone hormone causes these symptoms. The hormone involved is called Testosterone, or androgen, and although it is primarily produced in male glands and is thought of as a male hormone, it is also produced in smaller amounts in female glands. Some is also manufactured in adrenal glands. In men, this hormone helps develop muscle, causes facial hair and thicker hair on the body, and the change from a high boy’s voice to a lower man’s voice as well as helping in the development of the shape of the male body.

Sufficient Levels of Testosterone Result In:

Adequate Testosterone

Creates muscle without fat

Improves libido

Better memory and brighter outlook on life

Lowers cholesterol

Makes one energetic

Protects against heart disease

A man with insufficient testosterone may feel nervous, unhappy, confused, have less strength and muscle mass with more fat in the upper part of the body and have a low libido. This hormone causes normal growth and development in men and is key to developing secondary male characteristics.

The level of testosterone continues to rise during adulthood until it peaks around age 40, then gradually decreases. Most of the testosterone in the blood is attached to a protein called sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). A small amount is attached to albumin, another protein. The unattached, or “free,” testosterone may be measured when conditions that can increase SHBG (such as obesity or hyperthyroidism – insufficient thyroid hormones) are present. Free testosterone can also be calculated from SHBG and albumin levels. Usually this is done only at large medical centers..

About 33% – 45% of men with type 2 diabetes have low testosterone levels, so if you are a man with this disease, you might also have low testosterone..

Testosterone in women

Contrary to what some people believe, testosterone isn’t exclusively a male hormone. Women produce small amounts of testosterone in their bodies as well, which helps promote a healthy endocrine system and is a key factor in optimal hormone balance. Testosterone is important to rejuvenation, vitality and adding energized years to your life.

Testosterone in women has also been found to lend itself to production of more energy, increase libido, make a woman less tired, as well as help provide brighter moods and inspiration to work. For these reasons testosterone in women is a good thing, although the level is a lot lower than in a man. In the latter part of a woman’s life, when estrogen levels decrease, a lot of women are replacing that missing hormone with supplements called hormone replacement therapy. The replacement supplements also contain a bit of the testosterone that is missing in an older body. In addition to the benefits listed above, this small amount of testosterone has been shown to help increase bone density, increase libido and help strengthen blood flow to female organs.