Like a ghost moving through a wall, testosterone can enter cells passively and connect to androgen receptors, which then directly affect a cell’s nucleus. Moreover, it can act as a prohormone in tissues and sex glands, including your skin, hair follicles, and fat. For instance, testosterone is converted to the more potent androgen, dihydrotestosterone, when the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase is present, as in the prostate or skin (DHT).
The enzyme aromatase transforms testosterone into estradiol in adipose tissue. In other words, your body may produce more estrogens from testosterone the more fat tissue you have. Both can happen simultaneously in some situations: testosterone can act directly on a tissue or operate as a prohormone by converting to its androgen or estrogen metabolite.
In adults, testosterone has effects across the body:
- Muscles: Increases protein synthesis, and increases muscle mass and strength.
- Body Fat: Blocks the uptake of fat and storage of fat, and increases the number of fat burning beta-adrenergic receptors.
- Brain: Improves cognition, memory, sex drive, and affects feelings.
- Heart: Increases blood flow and cardiac output.
- Bone: Increases red blood cell production and bone growth, and maintains bone density.
- Male Sex Organs: Supports sperm production and viability, and promotes penis growth and erectile function.
- Skin: Supports collagen production and produces hair.
- Kidneys: Produces erythropoietin (EPO), which stimulates red blood cell production.
In addition, healthy testosterone levels are linked to immune function, excellent health, decreased mortality rates, lower body fat, and an increased metabolic rate. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 is also raised by testosterone.
Supplementing with testosterone has also been proven to increase energy, muscular mass, libido, sexual performance, and bone mineral density in men with low testosterone levels while lowering body fat, depression, and urinary tract issues. Research has also shown that fibromyalgia sufferers can effectively treat their persistent pain using medicinal testosterone transdermal gel, which is given once daily.
