How Does Age Affect Your Testosterone Level And What Can You Do About It?

As our bodies age, things change. Whether it's your eyesight or your metabolism, almost every bodily function fluctuates as you get older, which is why you notice unwanted developments such as loose skin, greying hair and wrinkles. These changes are caused by the things that you can't see: Your hormones! As you get older, the levels of hormones that your body produces alter, and this affects every aspect of your body and health. From your appearance to your bodily functions, everything hinges on your hormones. One hormone that plummets as you age is testosterone, but there's a lot of misinformation out there about testosterone levels by age. In fact, in both men and women, testosterone is a powerful hormone that affects everything from sex drive through to stamina, energy levels and muscle growth. Some people think that testosterone simply falls as you age, but the truth is a little more complicated. Want to find out how age affects your testosterone levels and what you can do about it? We've got you covered.

Where Does Testosterone Come From?

Your body produces testosterone, and the hormone travels around your body via your blood. It interacts with the hormones produced in the pituitary gland in the brain, like prolactin and hormones that stimulate growth. Exposure to testosterone begins in the womb before you're even born, and it affects everything from your sex to your growth. You start producing it yourself as you grow, and by the time you're born, you're already a pro. In men, most of the testosterone is produced in the testicles, hence the name. Some is also made in the adrenal glands, but for the most part it’s the testes that do the work to produce this essential sex horomone! For women, the ovaries produce testosterone, along with estrogen, with a small amount of testosterone also produced by the adrenal gland.

How Does Age Affect Testosterone Levels?

While many health experts claim that the body's testosterone production drops after the age of 30, a study from the Endocrine Society has shown that it is general health that deteriorates as you age, and this is the reason why your testosterone levels might fall. Each of these theories has its merit; while most people might face low testosterone if they don't monitor it and work to improve their body's natural production of testosterone, you can naturally boost and maintain high levels of testosterone at any age. Think about it.Some bodybuilders work out and compete athletically when they're well into their 70s, and sometimes even older. World record-holding strongman Mark Felix is still competing and breaking records in his 50s- how many 50 year olds do you know who can do that?! He, along with every other older bodybuilder, is definitely working to keep themselves fit and using natural testosterone boosters to increase their body's natural production of this vital hormone. However, for some people, this level of fitness and health isn't possible. Degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Multiple Sclerosis and Arthritis wreak havoc with the body and general health as people age. They make it difficult to complete everyday tasks, nevermind bench pressing your own body weight at the gym. Lifestyle factors can also affect your body's production of testosterone and overall health, and the effects of things like drinking, smoking and being chronically overweight often take time to show themselves. When you're young, your body might be able to adjust to your unhealthy lifestyle, but as you age, your metabolism slows down, so your lifestyle might start catching up with you. So, if you want to play the odds, you'll have to work hard to boost your body's natural testosterone levels and keep yourself in perfect condition, both physically and mentally.

What's The Average Testosterone Level In Men By Age?

Both men and women have testosterone, and it's a vital hormone for everyone, but many men focus on high levels, avoiding the potential of testosterone deficiency to feel more manly and confident. After all, testosterone is known as the male hormone, and as such, many men get concerned that as they age, they'll lose it and that low testosterone will make them less masculine. As a result, a lot of men want to know what the average level of testosterone by age is, but with so many factors to consider, it can be hard to come up with a definitive number. According to research, around 300 nanograms per deciliter of blood (ng/dL) is a normal total level of testosterone for a man. This figure reduces every year by around 1% per year after the age of 30, as health issues and lifestyle choices start to affect your body's hormone reproduction. As such, the rough normal testosterone levels by age are:

• 30-39: 300 ng/dL
• 40-49: 270 ng/dL
• 50-59: 240 ng/dL
• 60-69: 210 ng/dL
• 70-79: 180 ng/dL
• 80-89: 150 ng/dL
• 90-99: 120 ng/dL

These figures are only approximations, but they should help you to understand the average testosterone levels for men by age.

What's The The Average Testosterone Level In Women?

If you know a woman who’s concerned about her testosterone levels, don’t worry- she’s not turning into a man! Women have testosterone too, just less of it than lads. Testosterone levels are much lower in women than in men, but that doesn't mean that it's not there. On average, women have 15 to 70 ng/dL of testosterone. This total testosterone level stays steady until women hit the menopause when the body's production of most hormones fluctuates, and as such testosterone levels change. Every woman is different and hits the menopause at a different age, so it's harder to create an average level by age for women. If you're a woman who's concerned that you have low testosterone or that your testosterone levels might be wrong, consult your doctor to find out if this is a sign of the menopause and what treatments they can offer.

What Health Conditions Can Cause A Drop In Testosterone?

Many chronic conditions cause a drop in your hormone levels, including testosterone. That's because severe emotional and physical stress can cause your glands to slow down the production of these hormones, leading to low testosterone, and a reduction in other hormones too. Some diseases and health conditions that can cause low testosterone include:

• Diabetes: Because it is linked to diet and weight, Type 2 diabetes can cause a reduction in testosterone levels
• Kidney damage or failure: The kidneys help your body to produce the luteinising hormone, which is a critical factor in the production of testosterone, and as such kidney disease, damage or failure can lead to reduced testosterone levels
• HIV and AIDs: As this condition affects your immune system, it can reduce your body's production of hormones such as testosterone
• Testicular cancer: As your testicles produce your testosterone, anything that injures them can limit their ability to produce it, including testicular cancer
• Obesity: Obese patients are more likely to see a drop in testosterone levels, as being significantly overweight can affect your body’s production of many hormones in the body

Every patient is different, and some treatments and drugs can also affect your body's production of testosterone, so this list isn't exhaustive.

Is There Anything Else That Can Affect My Hormone Levels?

As well as specific illnesses and health problems, other, more general lifestyle factors can affect your body's ability to produce testosterone and other essential hormones. Some of the lifestyle factors that can inhibit testosterone production are:

• Smoking: Research shows that men who quit smoking have higher levels of testosterone than those who continue to smoke, even if they only do it for a short time before returning to the arms of Lady Nicotine. Smoking has other negative health implications, such as damaging your lungs and stunting your growth, so you should consider quitting
• Supplements: Some natural supplements, such as liquorice, can reduce your body's natural production of testosterone. You might be taking them for another health benefit, but your supplements could be doing you a disservice if you're trying to bulk up or boost your sex drive!
• Excessive masturbation: You might have heard the myth that masturbation can improve your sex drive, but actually, the opposite is true. Over time, you can find that your testicles stop producing as much testosterone in response to excessive masturbation
• Excessive alcohol consumption: Drinking heavily can lead to a drop in testosterone levels, so it might be worth reviewing how much you drink. The odd beer on a Friday with the lads won’t damage your levels too much, but binge drinking can, so if in doubt talk to your doctor (or your mum) to get an expert opinion on your drinking and whether you should be concerned

Again, everyone is different, so these lifestyle factors affect everyone differently. However, these are the most common causes of a drop in testosterone production, so you should be aware of them if you notice your levels dropping.

What You're Saying Is, Everyone's Different?

Pretty much. Everyone's testosterone levels depend on a wide range of factors, not just your age. If you're concerned about your testosterone levels, then speak to your doctor, but if you're in peak physical condition, then it doesn't matter if you're 17 or 70. Everything from your lifestyle to your body's natural functions can affect your body's testosterone levels, so you can't just assume that your levels are dropping because of your age. The best way to find out if your testosterone levels are low is to listen to your body. Symptoms of low testosterone include:

• A reduced sex drive
• The loss of lean muscle mass
• An increase in body fat, which can lead to weight gain
• Tiredness and symptoms of depression
• A lack of motivation and difficulty concentrating
• Infertility

High testosterone levels can be just as dangerous to your body as low levels, so you need to be aware of any changes to your body and take action as appropriate.

So, What Can I Do?

If you're concerned that you have low testosterone, or are worried about the levels of any other hormone in your body, then we always recommend you speak to your doctor first. They can assess your overall health and offer you advice to help you to get your health backon track. After you've seen your doctor and they've confirmed that you have low testosterone levels, then you've got a lot of options. They will be able to offer you practical advice and help you to boost your body's testosterone safely, so you feel your best. If you're exploring the options, then there are a lot out there, so you need to do your homework and find the one that works best for your body. Some people see result using herbal supplements, such as Korean red ginseng, maca root and horny goat weed, can increase the body's testosterone production and rebalance your hormone levels, so you could consider adding these to your supplement regime. We also offer our own supplement TestoGen that combines many testosterone boosting ingredients. This takes the hassle out of buying multiple supplements whilst also saving you money over buying each herbal supplement alone. Diet is also a factor that you need to consider; as mentioned earlier, obesity and excess fat can reduce your body's testosterone levels, so you could consider cutting back on the snacks and processed foods. It's not just your hormone levels that will benefit; even a little weight loss can make you look and feel much healthier and happier. And you'll may even find you can fit into your favourite jeans again, which is always a bonus! Evidence shows that a vegan diet can help you to boost your testosterone levels too, so if you're thinking about going plant-based for your health or just to save the cute little animals, then now could be a perfect time. When it comes to medical treatments, you need to be careful. Testosterone replacement therapy can be risky and comes with a lot of side-effects. The other option is steroids, but they can be even more dangerous: roid-rage anyone?! If you're eager to naturally boost your testosterone levels and encourage your body to produce more of the hormone, then explore the options for natural testosterone boosters. TestoGen isn't a testosterone replacement drug, and unlike testosterone replacement therapy, it doesn't just pump you full of testosterone. Instead, how it works is that the product promotes your body's natural production of testosterone and gives it all of the fuel it needs to create the right amount. It contains natural testosterone stimulants such as magnesium, nettle leaf extract 4:1, vitamin K1 and many other testosterone boosting ingredients to help you stay sharp as you get older and, hopefully, wiser!