How Is Testosterone Produced in The Body

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Cistanche can stimulate hormones

A small amount of testosterone is produced in the adrenal glands at the top of our kidneys. However, the vast majority (95%) of testosterone is produced in the testes. The following is the process by which the testicles produce testosterone.

1. The whole process starts in our heads. When our hypothalamus finds that our body needs more testosterone, a hormone called gonadal hormone releases is secreted and enters our posterior pituitary gland.

2. When our pituitary gland detects the release of gonadotropin, it will produce two hormones, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Then, these two hormones enter the testes through the blood.

3. When follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone enter the testis, they will do two different things. The follicle-stimulating hormone triggers the production of sperm, while luteinizing hormone stimulates the Leydig cells in the testes to produce more testosterone.

4. Through a complex process, the Leydig cells of our testicles convert cholesterol into testosterone. You read that right, cholesterol is the main component of testosterone. Leydig cells absorb the cholesterol in foods such as ham and eggs that we eat in the morning to obtain the raw materials they need to produce testosterone. If our blood does not have enough cholesterol, the testicles will produce a small amount of cholesterol on their own, so that the testicular stromal cells can convert it into testosterone. However, relying too much on cholesterol from nuts (non-almond varieties) actually inhibits the production of testosterone by the testicular stromal cells! Therefore, it is better to eat more eggs.

5. Once testosterone is produced, it will be sent back to our blood. Most of the testosterone will immediately bind to sex hormone-binding globulin binding and albumin, and a small part that remains free and unbound circulates in our brain and body and starts to work. When our hypothalamus detects that there is enough testosterone in our blood, it will send a signal to the pituitary gland to stop secreting progesterone, and the testicles will reduce the production of testosterone.