You probably know testosterone as the hormone that makes men aggressive and muscular. But it plays a much more comprehensive range of roles in both men and women. Plus, its effects on aggressive behavior are hugely overstated.
In fact, many testosterone effects are often misunderstood, as are the mechanisms that enable them. And that leads to the misuse and abuse of this crucial hormone, as you’ll learn in this list of testosterone statistics you should keep in mind in 2022.
So before you diagnose yourself with low testosterone (or worse), take the time to read these stats.
Ten Most Interesting Testosterone Statistics for 2022:
- Sleep deprivation can lower testosterone levels by 15%.
- Numbers on testosterone levels by age show that around 40% of men aged 45 and older have low testosterone.
- A study involving testosterone administration over six weeks showed increased aggressive behavior in human volunteers.
- Only about 12.2% of men with low testosterone receive treatment, based on recent low testosterone statistics.
- Between 4 and 5 million American men suffer from hypogonadism.
- Depo-testosterone facts show it’s the most used medication in testosterone-replacement therapy (TRT).
- The steroid doses used by steroid abusers can sometimes be up to 100 times higher than a doctor would prescribe.
- Testosterone levels below 300 nanograms per deciliter of blood support a diagnosis of low testosterone.
- American men’s average testosterone levels have dropped by 1% yearly since 1980, as testosterone decline statistics reveal.
- An evaluation of 50 OTC testosterone supplements found that over 75% didn’t back their claims with data.
Basic Low Testosterone Statistics
Before making a crucial mistake of googling the symptoms and reading about different fatal outcomes, let’s try to understand this condition better. Here are the basics.
1. Testosterone levels below 300 nanograms per deciliter of blood support a diagnosis of low testosterone.
(AUA)
The American Urological Society recommends that clinicians only make a conclusive diagnosis after at least two evaluations. The measurements should be done on separate occasions in the early morning when testosterone peaks.
2. Numbers on testosterone levels by age show that around 40% of men aged 45 and older have low testosterone.
(Cleveland Clinic)
That may seem like a large percentage, but those levels are closely linked to age, as well as several other factors. It’s important to note that “normal” testosterone levels vary from person to person and respond to numerous lifestyle factors.
3. Japanese men have the lowest levels of active testosterone, even though their total testosterone is 16% higher than others’.
(New Scientist)
There are several caveats to these testosterone statistics. First, the study that produced them only looked at men from Hong Kong, Japan, Sweden, Tobago, and the US. Second, the Japanese men had higher testosterone levels than others sampled.
The presence of testosterone-binding hormones reduced their levels of free testosterone. So their levels of bioavailable testosterone were ultimately lower.
In other words, for Japanese men it’s not a question of needing to produce more testosterone. Instead, it’s a question of how to make testosterone more bioavailable.
4. American men’s average testosterone levels have dropped by 1% yearly since 1980, as testosterone decline statistics reveal.
(Forbes)
Perhaps consequently, the prescription rate for testosterone therapy for men in the US more than doubled from 2010 to 2013. Also, aggressive marketing is drawing ever more attention to the issue of low testosterone, further contributing to the increase in prescriptions and diagnoses.
5. Between 4 and 5 million American men suffer from hypogonadism.
(BUMC)
Hypogonadism (also known as gonad deficiency) is the clinical name for general reduced or absent functional activity of the gonads. It’s one of the leading causes of low testosterone. Testosterone facts indicate that the condition often goes undiagnosed and undertreated in many men.
6. Only about 12.2% of men with low testosterone receive treatment, based on recent low testosterone statistics.
(NIH)
A study involving 1,486 participants in the Boston area found that many meet the diagnostic criteria for androgen deficiency.
However, testosterone statistics reveal only about 1 in 10 people seek treatment. The researchers surmised possible reasons could include failure to recognize the symptoms of low testosterone, and clinicians’ hesitation to prescribe testosterone replacement therapy.
7. Sleep deprivation can lower testosterone levels by 15%.
(NCBI)
In a study involving healthy men whose sleep was limited to five hours per night, researchers found detrimental effects on testosterone levels. The effects triggered by the participants’ lack of sleep were, unsurprisingly, accompanied by a lack of general vigor.
Facts About Testosterone Boosters
The market for testosterone boosters is flourishing, but unfortunately, most of the products proved to be inefficient. If you want to make the right decision, you need to make a well-informed decision, and we’re here to help.
8. An evaluation of 50 OTC testosterone supplements found that over 75% didn’t back their claims with data.
(NCBI)
Supplements claiming to boost testosterone naturally are ever-more present, and the testosterone supplement market size is steadily growing.
But very few had hard evidence to support the claim—merely 24.8% of the supplements showed increases in T-levels. Another 10.1% had data showing a reduction in testosterone upon use.
9. Testosterone supplement facts show vitamin B6, fenugreek extract, and Zinc to be the three most common ingredients in T-boosters.
(Science Daily) (ASEP)
Zinc can potentially increase free testosterone levels in older adults who are already deficient in the mineral. However, there’s currently no clear link between fenugreek and B6 supplementation and increased levels of testosterone.
10. A review of the top T-boosters on Amazon found that only 30% of the ingredients had studies backing their efficiency.
(Science Direct)
When it comes to testosterone boosters, statistics aren’t encouraging. Many well-reviewed supplements on Amazon have less-than-stellar actual effects. For example, after filtering for likely fake reviews, researchers found a 93% decrease in reports that the supplements increased strength and endurance.
Testosterone Market and Usage Statistics
How many people use testosterone? How do they consume it and what are the consequences? Is testosterone use illegal? Let’s find out!
11. Testosterone use tripled in the United States from 2001 to 2011 but dropped from 2013 to 2016.
(JAMA Network) (JAMA Network)
The decade between 2001 and 2011 seems to have been a real boom for testosterone prescriptions. During that period, testosterone use in men aged 40+ increased from 0.81% to 2.91%.
However, total use levels decreased to 1.67% in 2016. Interestingly, testosterone use statistics reveal that this decline seems to align with published reports indicating a link between testosterone use and adverse cardiovascular effects.
12. A study involving testosterone administration over six weeks showed increased aggressive behavior in human volunteers.
(NIH)
When it comes to testosterone and its inappropriate use, statistics tell us that one of the most commonly-cited effects is behavioral changes. Certain questionnaire-based assessments have even shown that testosterone in high doses increases aggression and irritability.
13. In a 2015 operation, the DEA seized 134,000 tablets and 8,200 liters of illegal injectable steroids.
(ProPublica)
The seizure encompassed 16 laboratories in an operation that spanned 20 states. However, investigators suspect hundreds of other such labs, which help form a widespread illegal testosterone market. The obvious conclusion is that the illegal use of such steroids is likely still underreported.
14. Depo-testosterone facts show it’s the most used medication in testosterone-replacement therapy (TRT).
(The Journal for Nurse Practitioners)
Also known as testosterone cypionate, depo-testosterone is frequently prescribed and frequently (ab)used as an anabolic steroid. Although it became FDA-approved back in 1979, data about its effectiveness and side effects are still relatively sparse.
15. Testosterone market growth suggests that by 2026, the global TRT market will reach $1.3 billion.
(DMI)
This is forecasted to happen at a CAGR of 4.4%. It’s most likely to be motivated by the rising levels of testosterone deficiency, increasing awareness of TRT, as well as the growth of the senior population.
16. According to testosterone sales statistics, the 1988–2013 period was marked by an astonishing increase in prescription testosterone spending—from $18 million to over $2 billion annually.
(NCBI)
The majority of the given sales are motivated by decreasing testosterone levels in aging men. However, researchers are quick to point out that TRT risks and benefits haven’t been conclusively established for men with natural testosterone decline.
Interesting Facts About Testosterone and Its Effects
In the end, here are some additional facts and numbers to back your newly-found testosterone knowledge. So, bear with us for a bit more.
17. A single 0.5 mg testosterone dose can weaken unconscious fear in humans, based on testosterone use statistics.
(NIH) (NCBI)
Numerous animal testing models show testosterone can reduce fear and anxiety, but the same may be true for humans as well. Certain studies have shown that administering testosterone and oxytocin can address socially avoidant and fearful behavior in human subjects, thereby impacting social anxiety.
18. Research shows that carbohydrate intake significantly affects testosterone levels.
(NIH)
Nutrition facts on carbs and testosterone are becoming increasingly conclusive. Different studies have shown that a lower carb intake may help regulate testosterone in cases of low-T.
For example, research focusing on ketogenic diets’ effects has pointed to a connection between low carb amounts and an increase in resistance-training men’s testosterone levels.
19. Obese men might be more likely to have low testosterone levels.
(NCBI)
One of the most compelling facts about testosterone, from a clinical perspective, is its effect on weight loss and fat distribution in men. Namely, in a study focusing on the connection between testosterone and weight loss, it was discovered that a little over half of the participants (52.4%) had T-levels under 300 ng/dl.
Research also suggests that long-term testosterone therapy can lead to sustained weight loss in obese men.
20. The steroid doses used by steroid abusers can sometimes be up to 100 times higher than a doctor would prescribe.
(Low T Center)
The difference between testosterone overuse and its therapeutic administration lies mainly in the dosage. This can mean the difference between long-term health benefits and highly dangerous results.
21. Testosterone supplement statistics reveal that injections can be used to treat conditions such as CDGP.
(NCBI)
One of the many applications of androgen therapy is the treatment of constitutional delay of growth and puberty in boys. Since testosterone is a prime determiner of many early-life mechanisms, such as the onset of puberty, it can sometimes be used to correct delays in these mechanisms.
However, this specific use of testosterone still needs to be heavily researched for more conclusive information on its precise short-term and long-term effects.
FAQ
What does high testosterone do to a man?
Abnormally high testosterone is associated with numerous health risks in men, such as those of:
- Liver disease
- Heart attack and other kinds of cardiovascular damage
- Fluid retention
- Low sperm count and impotence
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Mood swings and irritability.
While low testosterone causes many problems for men and women, its counterpart can be just as harmful. Maintaining a healthy hormonal balance is essential for good long-term health.
(Harvard Health)
What is the average testosterone level by age?
Testosterone levels in males range between 7 and 130 ng/dl during childhood. During adolescence, at the age of 15–16, they typically range between 100 and 1,200 ng/dl.
After the age of 20, men’s T-levels decline by 3–10% per decade, but it’s important to bear in mind that testosterone levels by age can vary substantially between individuals.
In women, testosterone levels are significantly lower, reaching an average of 75 ng/dl at the age of 17 and 18. After that, they typically range from 8–60 ng/dl.
(Balance My Hormones)
How common is low testosterone in men?
The facts about testosterone indicate that T-levels drop as men age. That’s why it’s not too surprising that close to 40% of men aged 45+ have low testosterone levels. However, there’s still some debating among medical experts about what should constitute a low testosterone diagnosis as opposed to naturally low levels.
(Cleveland Clinic)
How to increase testosterone?
Perhaps the most convenient option or the most obvious solution many would turn to are supplements. However, facts on testosterone supplements tell us that these products are often overhyped.
The least invasive, natural way for most men to help increase their testosterone is making good lifestyle choices, which includes healthy nutrition, regular exercise, and consistent efforts to reduce stress levels.
In case you do suspect you’re suffering from low testosterone, speak with your doctor. An expert can establish a precise diagnosis and decide on the best treatment for your condition. Keep in mind that androgens are a Schedule III controlled substance, and treatment without a prescription is illegal and potentially dangerous.
(Mayo Clinic) (USC)
How to test testosterone levels at home?
Various companies now offer lab tests that can be done in the comfort of your home. However, since they’re typically based on giving samples of saliva (not blood), their reliability remains questionable to an extent. So, if you want as much accuracy as possible, get your testosterone levels tested professionally.
(MedicalNewsToday)
When is testosterone lowest?
Generally speaking, testosterone drops in the evening and reaches its lowest point around 9 p.m. However, this timing can vary somewhat depending on a person’s 24-hour cycle and the time of the year.
(Harvard Health)
Conclusion
Hopefully, this list of stats and facts helps you cut through the abundance of fake facts about testosterone floating around the web. The key takeaway here is to trust only reputable sources for information and, of course, seek legitimate medical advice and treatment.
As you can see from our testosterone statistics and facts, many people are faced with different problems related to this hormone every day. Therefore, it’s definitely something best handled with the help of professionals—self-diagnosing and self-treatment is something you should avoid. There’s a variety of treatment options approved by medical experts, and one of them will likely work for you.
Sources:
- ASEP
- AUA
- Balance My Hormones
- BUMC
- Cleveland Clinic
- Daily Mail
- DMI
- Forbes
- GQ
- Harvard Health
- Harvard Health
- JAMA Network
- JAMA Network
- Low T Center
- Mayo Clinic
- MedicalNewsToday
- NCBI
- NCBI
- NCBI
- NCBI
- NCBI
- NCBI
- New Scientist
- NIH
- NIH
- NIH
- NIH
- ProPublica
- Science Daily
- Science Direct
- The Journal for Nurse Practitioners
- USC
