While bodybuilding and athletes may come to mind with the word testosterone, it is actually an essential hormone for men and women of all ages and athletic abilities. As with most hormones, balance is key for testosterone levels – not too low and not too high.
This article looks at testosterone and the genetic variations that can affect your natural “T” levels. I’ll explain some of the background science and then wrap up with Lifehacks for increasing testosterone levels.
Testosterone Levels:
In men, low serum testosterone levels are linked to an increased risk of:
In women, increased testosterone levels are a risk factor for:
- fatty liver disease[ref]
- PCOS, insulin resistance, and higher fasting glucose levels[ref]
- type 2 diabetes[ref]
In men, the testes release testosterone when stimulated by luteinizing hormone. In women, the adrenals and the ovaries produce small amounts of testosterone.
Most testosterone, about 98%, that circulates in the bloodstream is bound to either albumin or sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). The 2% that is ‘free’ testosterone is the biologically active form that can act on receptors on cells.
Your circulating testosterone levels depend on many factors, including genetics.
How do your genes influence testosterone levels?
While age, diet, and lifestyle choices play a role in testosterone levels, there is also a fairly strong genetic factor at play. Studies of male siblings estimate that the genetic component of testosterone levels is ~70%.[ref]
Genetic studies can now use the known variants linked to testosterone levels to see if those variants are related to other conditions.
For example, studies on the SHBG gene variants show an association with facial characteristics such as jaw shape, which is connected to testosterone levels.[ref]
Other studies link genetic variants impacting testosterone levels to an increased risk of prostate cancer, increased bone mineral density, and lower body fat.[ref]
What if you’re XXY?
Klinefelter syndrome is caused by having two X chromosomes and one Y chromosome.
In general, Klinefelter syndrome is linked to lower testosterone levels. Men with XXY genotypes may have less body hair, lower muscle mass, and possibly abnormal development of the testicles.
Klinefelter syndrome is one of the most common chromosomal abnormalities, with an estimated 1 in 500 men having an extra X chromosome.
Testosterone Genotype Report:
Below are the genetic variants that have been linked in multiple studies to testosterone levels.
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Note: Other gene variants influence testosterone levels that aren’t available via 23andMe or AncestryDNA testing. Specifically, a commonly repeated section of the androgen receptor plays a significant role in testosterone levels.
Lifehacks:
What is the best way to know if your testosterone levels are normal? Get a blood test to see what your levels are. Your doctor should be able to run the test, or you can order your blood test online (in the US) through a place like UltaLab Tests.
Timing of Testing:
Testosterone levels fluctuate throughout the day in a circadian-controlled rhythm, with the highest levels in the morning for men.[ref] If you are going to test your testosterone periodically to see how it changes, always get the blood drawn around the same time.
Research on increasing testosterone levels:
Member Content:
Why join Genetic Lifehacks?
~ Membership supports Genetic Lifehack's goal of explaining the latest health and genetics research.
~ It gives you access to the full article, including the Genotype and Lifehacks sections.
~ You'll see your genetic data in the articles and reports.
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References:
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Originally published 10/2018. Updated 3/2020.