The most common side effects of Male Excel’s Testosterone Lipoderm Cream include increased prostate-specific antigen (a test used to screen for prostate cancer), mood swings, high blood pressure, increased red blood cell count, acne, and skin irritation where the gel is applied. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take insulin, medicines that decrease blood clotting (blood thinners), or corticosteroids. Inform your healthcare provider of all medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Stop using Male Excel’s Testosterone Lipoderm Cream and call your healthcare provider immediately if you see any signs and symptoms of puberty in a child or changes in body hair. Early signs and symptoms of puberty have occurred in young children who have come in direct contact with testosterone by touching areas where men have used Male Excel’s Testosterone Lipoderm Cream.
At The Johnson Center for Functional Health & Longevity, we do not screen thyroid function with TSH alone. A patient can have a normal TSH and a T4 in the mid-range and still be functionally hypothyroid at the cellular level. These symptoms emerge even in subclinical hypothyroidism — a TSH that sits in the upper range of normal, with free T4 and free T3 that are technically within reference range but functionally low.
In males, testosterone is produced mainly by Leydig cells, which are found in the testes. It plays a crucial role in a wide range of bodily functions, including sexual development and reproductive function, muscle and bone growth, mood and cognitive function, red blood cell production, and fat distribution and metabolism. Testosterone is a steroid hormone primarily produced in the testes in males and smaller amounts in the ovaries of females.
Normal aging can cause decreased expression of mitochondrial genes, loss of mitochondrial content, and reduced responsiveness to sex hormones. As you age, there is a natural age-related decline in mitochondrial ATP production and hormone output. Both testosterone and estrogen are crucial to metabolic and mitochondrial health. Even moderate daily movement makes a big difference, especially in aging populations where age-related mitochondrial dysfunction and hormone decline are common. You want to fuel your body with the nutrients it needs to perform mitochondrial respiration, steroid hormone synthesis (such as testosterone and estrogen), and maintain mitochondrial homeostasis. Apart from hormone production, mitochondria are best known for their role in energy metabolism.
Prioritizing mitochondrial function not only enhances testosterone but also boosts your energy and mental clarity. Focusing on mitochondrial health can unlock the potential for improved testosterone levels and overall well-being. By prioritizing mitochondrial health through lifestyle choices, you can optimize testosterone levels and support your body’s hormonal balance.
This declining pregnenolone production reduces the substrate available for DHEA, progesterone, cortisol, and ultimately testosterone and estradiol synthesis. This brain-derived estradiol then acts on the same ERα and ERβ receptors on mitochondrial membranes described in the estradiol section above — the identical mechanism that drives perimenopausal brain fog in women. This means estradiol acts directly at the site of energy production inside brain cells.
Of course, if you suffer from unbalanced hormone levels, even these changes may not be enough. However, many men and women suffer from unbalanced hormone levels that cannot be fixed through diet or exercise. Exercise has been shown to increase mitochondrial biogenesis, which is the process of creating new mitochondria. Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone (though it’s also found in women’s bodies) and plays a crucial role in maintaining muscle mass, bone density, and libido.
However, mitochondria do more than just generate energy. These tiny structures help produce most of the energy your bodies need to function. Lab interpretation should always be performed in clinical context by a qualified healthcare provider. Schedule a consultation for a complete upstream hormone evaluation and personalized steroid hormone optimization plan.
Elevated oxidative stress creates an imbalance, damaging mitochondrial efficiency and hormone production. When mitochondria are robust, they promote higher energy availability, which correlates with increased hormone production. Research shows that efficiently functioning mitochondria can enhance testosterone production, impacting physical performance and well-being.