Men - Why Test These Hormones?
SHBG - Sex Hormone Binding Globulin
PSA - Prostate Specific Antigen
IGF-1 - an index of Human Growth Hormone
Testosterone is important for:
- energy production (ATP)
- preventing mental and physical fatigue
- maintaining sex drive
- building and maintaining healthy skin, bone and muscles
Testosterone deficiency can cause:
- loss of bone density (osteoporosis)
- night sweats
- mental burnout
- insulin resistance
- decreased muscle mass
- erectile dysfunction
- low physical stamina
- low sex drive
- depression
- cardiovascular disease
- immune dysfunction
- It is used as a relative index of your overall exposure to all forms of estrogens: those produced by your body (endogenous) and those consumed (phytoestrogens, xenoestrogens)
- It is an indirect index of estrogen interaction with the liver.
- It is the protein that binds tightly to total testosterone in the circulation and limits the amount of testosterone bioavailable to tissues.
- High levels indicate excess exposure to estrogens and lower availability of testosterone to tissues.
SHBG outside the expected range indicates:
- An imbalance between testosterone to estrogen.
- High = overall estrogen burden
- Low = low estrogen, more bioavailable testosterone
- Andropause onset and/or rapid aging in men (see above).
- Increased risk of prostate disease.
- It is a protein produced by the prostate gland that we can measure.
- It is an important indicator of prostatic enlargement or increased risk of cancer.
- PSA needs to be within the expected range for two good reasons:
- High PSA levels are a warning sign of prostate health risks.
- Normal PSA evaluation is prerequisite to initiating testosterone therapy.
- It is a reliable indicator of human growth hormone.
- Low IGF-1 levels indicate Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency associated with rapid aging, decreased muscle and bone mass, slowing cognition, low libido and poor quality of life.
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References
Gambineri A., and Pasquali R. Testosterone therapy in men: Clinical and pharmacological perspectives. J Endocrinol. Invest. 23: 196-214, 2000.
Bjorntorp P. The regulation of adipose tissue distribution in humans. International Journal of Obesity 20:291-302, 1996.
Marin P. Effects of androgens in men with the metabolic syndrome. The Aging Male 1 (1998) 129-136.