Testosterone is an important marker when it comes to your health, fitness, and fertility, but it doesn’t work alone. There are many other hormones, vitamins and minerals which impact and affect the production of testosterone. If you’re thinking about your testosterone levels, it’s a good idea to look at the bigger picture.
The ability of your body to produce the right levels of testosterone, and for that testosterone to work effectively, depends on lots of factors, from your diet and sleeping habits to stress levels and whether you live an active or sedentary lifestyle.
We’re going beyond testosterone alone to take a closer look at the other elements you need to know about, alongside your testosterone levels, if you want to improve your health, increase your fitness, and build muscle more effectively.
What is luteinising hormone and why is it important?
Luteinising hormone is made by your pituitary gland, a small gland located underneath the brain. It plays an important role in sexual development and function.
In women, luteinising hormone helps to control the menstrual cycle. It also triggers the release of eggs from the ovaries, with levels of the hormone rising just before ovulation. For men, luteinising hormone causes the testicles to produce testosterone.
Having too much, or too little luteinising hormone can cause a range of problems, including infertility, menstrual problems, or low sex drive.
What are the signs of a luteinising hormone deficiency?
For men, it could be the case that your levels of luteinising hormone are too low if:
- You notice a decrease in sex drive
- You’ve been trying for a baby with your partner for 12 months but have been unsuccessful
If there’s a problem with the pituitary gland, both men and women can experience issues including:
- Decreased appetite
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Weight loss
What about high levels of luteinising hormone?
High levels of luteinising hormone in men can be caused by a few different factors, including:
- Damaged testicles, due to chemotherapy, infection, or alcohol abuse.
- Klinefelter's syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects sexual development.
How does luteinising hormone impact testosterone?
Luteinising hormone is one of a few hormones which play a key role in the production, release, and role of testosterone in the body. It’s important for all these hormones and systems to be working effectively and in balance for you to experience optimum health.
Once released in the body, luteinising hormone causes the cells of the testes to produce testosterone. Low levels of this hormone can lead to low sex drive and fertility issues, while a high level of luteinising hormone means testicle damage.
Taking a look at your testosterone – look a little deeper
When looking indicators of your health and fitness, it’s always a good idea to get as much of a holistic view as you can, as there are so many elements which can influence how effectively our body is functioning.
And this is certainly the case when it comes to testosterone. Understanding the crucial elements linked to your testosterone levels can help you make the right dietary, supplement, and exercise-based choices for you.
