Testosterone, Total
Testosterone, Total is a measure of the total amount of testosterone in the blood, including both free and bound testosterone. Low levels of total testosterone can cause symptoms such as decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and decreased muscle mass in men.
iollo markers that associate with Testosterone, Total
Alanine
Alanine is involved in protein and energy metabolism. Higher alanine levels may reflect increased muscle protein breakdown which could be associated with lower testosterone.
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References
J. E. Sprogis, A. M. Moon, J. A. Kamimori, J. L. Fukuda, and D. R. Hooper. Effects of Four Weeks of Beta-Alanine Supplementation Combined with Creatine on Physical Performance, Blood Lactate, Cognitive Performance, and Resting Hormonal Concentrations in Male Military Personnel. Journal of Military and Veterans’ Health (2022). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9265371/
Roger C. Ware, Jeffrey M. Stout, Andrew R. Green, Matthew C. Baechle, and Anthony L. Hoffman. The Effects of Beta-Alanine Supplementation on Performance. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research (2013). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/255690345_The_Effects_of_Beta-Alanine_Supplementation_on_Performance_A_Systematic_Review_of_the_Literature
Thomas M. Gill, Kerry A. Brock, Anne B. Newman, Douglas K. Owens, and Jane A. Cauley. Effect of Testosterone Supplementation on Functional and Cognitive Performance in Older Men. JAMA (2002). https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/1149440
Carlos A. Sasaki, Thiago H. da Costa, Tota, Ł., Piotrowska, A., Czerwińska-Ledwig, O., Krepa, E.S., Kita, S., and Pałka, T.. Exploring the Relationship between Micronutrients and Athletic Performance in Para-Athletes: A Comprehensive Systematic Review. Nutrients (2020). https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/11/6/109
In-Ho Seo, Hyung-Bin Lee, Shinhye Kim, Yong-Jae Lee, and Dong-Hyuk Jung. Inverse Relationship between Hepatic Steatosis and Alanine Aminotransferase with Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin in Men. Nutrition Research and Practice (2017). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5447102/
Arginine
Arginine is a precursor for nitric oxide which plays a role in vasodilation and blood flow. Reduced arginine and nitric oxide may contribute to erectile dysfunction related to low testosterone.
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References
Srivatsav, A.; Balasubramanian, A.; Pathak, U.I.; Rivera-Mirabal, J.; Thirumavalavan, N.; Hotaling, J.M.; Lipshultz, L.I.; Pastuszak, A.W.. Dietary Supplements for Erectile Dysfunction: Analysis of Marketed Products and Efficacy of Common Ingredients. Arab. J. Urol. (2021). https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/17/3677
Kiani, A.K.; Bonetti, G.; Medori, M.C.; Caruso, P.; Manganotti, P.; Fioretti, F.; Nodari, S.; Connelly, S.T.; Bertelli, M.. The Potential Role of Arginine Supplements on Erectile Dysfunction. J. Prev. Med. Hyg. (2022). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1743609518313626
Tian, Yuting; Zhou, Qian; Li, Wen; Liu, Meixi; Li, Qing; Chen, Qiu. Efficacy of L-arginine and Pycnogenol ® in the treatment of male erectile dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) (2023). https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2631831818822018
Carnitine
Carnitine is essential for fatty acid transport and energy metabolism. Low carnitine is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and could relate to decreased testosterone production.
References
References
Human Performance Hub. Is L-Carnitine a Testosterone Booster?. Human Performance Hub (2023). https://humanperformancehub.co.uk/resources/supplementation/is-l-carnitine-a-testosterone-booster/
S. Cavallini, F. Caracciolo, L. Modenini, A. Vitali, and F. Innocenti. Carnitine versus androgen administration in the treatment of symptoms associated with male aging. Urology (2004). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0090429503013013
Farhad Koohpeyma, Fatemeh Gholizadeh, Hannaneh Hafezi, Mehri Hajiaghayi, Morvarid Siri, Shaghayegh Allahyari, Mohammad Hasan Maleki, Naeimehossadat Asmarian, and Elahe Bayat. The protective effect of L-carnitine on testosterone synthesis pathway, and spermatogenesis in monosodium glutamate-induced rats. Journal of Cellular Physiology (2022). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9563446/
Creatinine
Creatinine is a product of creatine phosphate breakdown in muscle. Low creatinine may indicate reduced muscle mass which is associated with declining testosterone levels.
References
References
Antonio, Jose; Ciccone, Vincent; Kalman, Douglas S.; Sandoval, Bill; Oakley, Wilborn; Greenwood, Michael; Willoughby, Darren S.. Common questions and misconceptions about creatine supplementation: what does the scientific evidence really show?. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2021). https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12970-021-00412-w
van der Merwe, J.; Brooks, N.E.; Myburgh, K.H.. Three weeks of creatine monohydrate supplementation affects dihydrotestosterone to testosterone ratio in college-aged rugby players. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2010). https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1550-2783-7-12
Glutamine
Glutamine is involved in protein synthesis, immune function, and intestinal health. Glutamine depletion may lead to increased catabolism and reduced testosterone.
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References
Tung-Lin Lu, Cheng-Shiun He, Katsuhiko Suzuki, Chi-Cheng Lu, Chung-Yuan Wang, Shih-Hua Fang. Supplementation of L-glutamine enhanced mucosal immunity and influenced hormonal responses to endurance exercise. Nutrients (2024). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16030454
Tung-Lin Lu, Cheng-Shiun He, Katsuhiko Suzuki, Chi-Cheng Lu, Chung-Yuan Wang, Shih-Hua Fang. Concurrent Ingestion of Alkaline Water and L-Glutamine Enhanced Salivary α-Amylase Activity and Testosterone Concentration. Nutrients (2024). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16030454
Jose Antonio, Darren G. Candow, Richard B. Bach, Jeffrey R. Effect of Glutamine Supplementation on Muscular Damage Biomarkers in Athletes. Effect of Glutamine Supplementation on Muscular Damage Biomarkers in Athletes. Nutrients (2021). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13072306
Leucine
Leucine stimulates mTOR signaling and protein synthesis. Reduced leucine may impair mTOR activation and anabolic signaling related to testosterone.
References
References
James P. White, Song Gao, Melissa J. Puppa, Shuichi Sato, Stephen L. Welle, James A. Carson. Testosterone regulation of Akt/mTORC1/FoxO3a Signaling in Skeletal Muscle. Journal of Applied Physiology (2012). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3529800/
Seung-Hwan Lee, Jong-Hwan Park, Jong-Min Lee, Sang-Rae Lee, Dae-Hyun Kim, Seung-Chul Lee. Effect of Intake of Leucine-Rich Protein Supplement in Parallel with Resistance Exercise on Muscle Mass Synthesis through mTOR Pathway. Nutrients (2022). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9655197/
Xingcai Cai, Chun Zhang, Yuan Xue, Yong Jiang, Yong Zhang, Guangyu Shi, Qi Jia. Alpha-ketoglutarate promotes skeletal muscle hypertrophy and protein synthesis through Akt/mTOR signaling pathways. Scientific Reports (2016). https://www.nature.com/articles/srep26802
Jiaxin Chen, Jian Wang, Zhihao Xiong, Xiaoxue Zhang, Jianfeng Li. Early leucine programming on protein utilization and mTOR signaling by feeding larval fish with leucine-enriched diet. Nutrition & Metabolism (2020). https://nutritionandmetabolism.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12986-020-00487-3
Valine
Valine is a branched-chain amino acid that promotes protein synthesis and mitochondrial function. Low valine may impair these anabolic processes and testosterone levels.
References
References
L. Zummo, G. Fusco, F. Gentile, A. Finazzi-Agrò. Metabolic patterns in insulin-resistant male hypogonadism. Nature (2018). https://www.nature.com/articles/s41419-018-0587-9
N.C. Smith, A.J. Walter, A.J. Hodgson, J.A. Jennings, M.M. Lewis. Oral Branched-Chain Amino Acids Supplementation in Athletes. NCBI (2022). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9571679/
S. Zhang, Y. Chen, J. Li, Z. Zhang, J. Wang, Y. Zhang, L. Zhang, H. Chen. l-valine supplementation disturbs vital molecular pathways and induces … Science Direct (2023). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0093691X23004533
K.B. Sahlin, I. Pla, R. Asp, G. Moberg-Wahlin, J. Mårild. Short-Term Effect of Induced Alterations in Testosterone Levels … NCBI (2021). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8619397/
A.A. Ferrando, M. Sheffield-Moore, D. Paddon-Jones, R.R. Wolfe, R.J. Urban. Differential Anabolic Effects of Testosterone and Amino Acid … The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (2003). https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2002-021041