Male hormones: A guide on hormone health for men

Hormone balance is essential for men's health and well-being. Testosterone is the major sex hormone in men, produced primarily in the testes; however, there are also other hormones that impact men’s health, including estradiol (a form of estrogen), luteinizing hormone, prolactin and thyroid hormones, among others.

Sometimes a change in hormone levels can indicate an underlying health issue. Testing your hormone levels, and reviewing the results with your healthcare provider’s guidance, can help you recognize signs of hormonal imbalances and maintain optimal levels.

Discover how key hormones impact men’s health and well-being.

Testosterone: The primary male sex hormone

Testosterone is a primary male sex hormone responsible for the development and maintenance of male characteristics. In men, testosterone is produced mainly by the testicles and regulated by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the brain.

Much of the body’s testosterone is bound to proteins such as albumin and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). When testosterone is bound to proteins, your body does not activate it. Testosterone that is not bound to albumin or SBHG is known as free testosterone and biologically active. Total testosterone refers to the overall amount of testosterone circulating in the bloodstream, both bound and unbound.
 

Testosterone plays a vital role in many areas of men's health, including:
 

• Sex drive and erectile function
• Muscle mass and strength
• Fat distribution
• Bone density
• Mood and cognitive function
• Sperm production
   

When testosterone levels dip too low or go too high, this can affect various aspects of health.

Signs of low testosterone in men may include, among other symptoms:
 

• Low sex drive or erectile dysfunction
• Loss of body hair
• Loss of strength and muscle mass
• Increased body fat and low energy
• Thinning bones or anemia
• Reduced sperm count
• Tender or enlarged breast tissue
   

High testosterone levels in men can potentially cause, but are not limited to, the following symptoms:
 

• Excessive body hair
• Weight gain
• High blood pressure and cholesterol
• High sex drive
• Low sperm count and shrunken testicles
• Acne
• Enlarged prostate with difficulty urinating
• Mood swings
  
  

Testing your testosterone levels can help assess whether your levels are within a healthy range. Labcorp OnDemand’s Comprehensive Testosterone Test measures both total and free testosterone in addition to albumin and SHBG (two proteins that testosterone can bind to).

Thyroid hormones: Metabolism and more

The thyroid gland produces hormones that affect a wide range of functions throughout the body, from metabolism and digestion to heart rate, mood and weight.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) controls how much thyroid hormone the thyroid produces. It stimulates the thyroid gland to produce T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine), which play an important role in regulating your metabolism.

An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) and an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) can both affect health in different ways.

Among other symptoms, hypothyroidism can cause:

• Fatigue
• Weight gain
• Sensitivity to cold
  
  

Hyperthyroidism may lead to several different symptoms, including (but not limited to):

• Anxiety
• Weight loss
• Heat sensitivity
  
  

With Labcorp OnDemand’s Standard Thyroid Test, you can measure both TSH and free T4 to help assess thyroid function and screen for health conditions that may be related to your thyroid.

Cortisol: More than just the “stress hormone”

Often known as the “stress hormone,” cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands, which sit on top of your kidneys. In addition to regulating your body’s stress response, cortisol influences metabolism, immune function, blood pressure and your sleep-wake cycle, among other key functions.

Cortisol levels can provide important clues about your health. When cortisol levels are high over a long-term period, it could be a sign of a condition called Cushing syndrome.

Symptoms of high cortisol levels may include:

• Weight gain, especially in the face and stomach
• Fatty buildup between the shoulders
• Purple stretch marks on the stomach
• Thin skin that bruises easily
• Muscle weakness in the arms and legs
• Slow wound healing
• High blood sugar
• High blood pressure
• Weak bones
• Excess hair growth in women (i.e., hirsutism)
• Irregular periods in women

When cortisol levels are low, on the other hand, this may be a sign of adrenal insufficiency, which happens when your adrenal glands aren’t making enough cortisol.

Symptoms of low cortisol levels may include:

• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Low blood pressure

Understanding your body’s cortisol levels can give you helpful clues about your health. Cortisol levels rise and fall throughout the day, but sometimes they can be too high or too low due to certain medical conditions. A cortisol test can help you and your healthcare provider understand if your levels are within a typical range.

Estradiol: A form of estrogen converted from testosterone

Estradiol is the most potent form of estrogen in men. While present at lower levels than in women, estradiol is important for male health. The hormone influences several aspects of health, including (but not limited to):
 

• Bone density
• Blood sugar regulation
• Cognitive function
• Reproductive health (i.e., sex drive, sperm development)
  
  

When estradiol levels are high in men, they may cause several symptoms, including (but not limited to):

• Fertility difficulties
• Erectile dysfunction
• Enlarged breast tissue (gynecomastia)
   

Low estradiol in men can potentially indicate many different health issues. Some examples include:

• Diabetes
• Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
• Tumors of the testicles or adrenal glands
• Cirrhosis
   

Testing your estradiol levels can provide additional insight into your hormone health.

Luteinizing hormone and male reproductive health

Luteinizing hormone (LH) is a reproductive hormone produced by the pituitary gland. In men, LH stimulates the testes to produce testosterone and plays a key role in regulating testosterone levels as well as sperm production.
 

While LH levels typically remain stable in men after puberty, high LH levels may signify that the sex organs are not producing enough steroid hormones for proper reproductive functioning. High LH levels in men can also be a sign of genetic conditions such as Klinefelter syndrome, when a male is born with an extra X chromosome.
 

Low LH levels in men may indicate that the pituitary gland is not producing enough of the hormone needed for reproduction or sexual development. Low levels of LH in men can also be a sign of Kallmann syndrome, a rare condition associated with insufficient testosterone production.

Testing LH levels can help evaluate testosterone deficiency symptoms when total or free testosterone is low. An LH test can also help detect pituitary gland disorders that may be affecting LH production.

Prolactin's role in men

Prolactin is another hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. Though it is primarily linked to lactation and breast tissue development in women, prolactin also impacts men's health, including sexual function.

While high prolactin typically affects women, elevated levels in men can cause several changes, including but not limited to:

• Low sex drive
• Erectile dysfunction
• Reduced testosterone
• Infertility
• Enlarged breast tissue (gynecomastia)
• Low bone mass
• Breast/nipple discharge (galactorrhea)
  
  

It’s important to maintain balanced prolactin levels for optimal health. If you’re experiencing any of the above, it might be worth discussing prolactin levels with your healthcare provider.

Prioritize your hormone health

Monitoring your hormone levels can provide valuable insights for optimizing your health. With Labcorp OnDemand, you can access a variety of men’s health hormone tests to address your specific health needs. Take your first steps toward learning more about your hormone health and explore Labcorp OnDemand’s hormone testing options.