Testosterone, a steroid hormone derived from cholesterol, is the principal male hormone. Testosterone is responsible for maintaining muscle mass, strength, fat distribution, bone mass, and libido. Low Testosterone has also been associated with changes in attitude, mood, loss of energy and earlier deaths.

Why is it important?

Starting at age 30, Testosterone levels decline at a rate of 10% per decade. Studies show a decline in Testosterone puts men at increased risk of health problems such as cardiovascular disease. Men with low testosterone levels are more likely to have elevated markers of inflammation, called cytokines, which contribute to many diseases. Another characteristic of men with low testosterone levels is that they are three times more likely to have Metabolic Syndrome than men with higher testosterone levels. Metabolic syndrome is the name given when one has three or more of the following risk factors:

waist measurement over 40 inches
low HDL (good cholesterol)
high triglycerides (level of fat in the blood)
high blood pressure
high blood glucose (blood sugar)
Metabolic Syndrome increases the risk of developing Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes.