Hormones: Part 2 - Know Your Hormones

Discover the hormones within men that can affect their performance, lifestyle and optimise well-being

Quick disclaimer

This is education and optimisation guidance, not a diagnosis. Hormones are powerful levers. If you have symptoms, abnormal results, or you’re considering testosterone, thyroid medication, aromatase inhibitors, fertility meds, or steroid use, work with a qualified physician/endocrinologist.

Hormones are not just “numbers.” The goal is strong function: libido, energy, muscle, mood, sleep, fertility, metabolism, and resilience.

---

8. DHT — Dihydrotestosterone

What it is

DHT is a stronger androgen made from testosterone by the enzyme 5-alpha reductase.

Think of testosterone as the main fuel, and DHT as the high-octane version for certain tissues.

Main functions

DHT supports:

• Libido

• Erectile quality

• Male sexual development

• Body and facial hair

• Prostate growth

• Skin oil production

• Neurological drive and confidence

• Genital tissue sensitivity

Typical levels

Ranges vary widely.

DHT:

• Common adult male range: roughly 30–85 ng/dL

• Or around 1.0–3.0 nmol/L

More optimised level

Usually:

• Mid-range, not suppressed

• Enough for libido and sexual function

• Not excessively high if there are prostate, acne, or hair-loss concerns

What can affect DHT

Raises DHT:

• Higher testosterone

• TRT

• hCG

• Creatine may slightly influence DHT in some data, but evidence is limited

• Genetics: high 5-alpha reductase activity

Lowers DHT:

• Finasteride

• Dutasteride

• Saw palmetto, mild effect in some men

• Low testosterone

• Ageing

• Severe calorie restriction

Important point

Blocking DHT can help hair loss or prostate symptoms in some men, but in others it can cause:

• Lower libido

• Erectile issues

• Low mood

• Brain fog

• Reduced genital sensitivity

DHT is not “bad.” It needs to be respected.

---

9. DHEA-S — The Adrenal Vitality Marker

What it is

DHEA-S is made mostly by the adrenal glands. It is a precursor hormone that can convert downstream into androgens and oestrogens.

It often declines with age.

Main functions

DHEA-S is linked with:

• Energy

• Stress resilience

• Immune function

• Mood

• Libido

• Bone health

• General androgen reserve

• Recovery capacity

Typical levels

Very age-dependent.

DHEA-S adult male range:

• Roughly 80–560 µg/dL depending on age

• Levels naturally decline as men get older

More optimised level

For men 45+:

• Often mid-to-upper age-adjusted range

• Not excessively high

What can lower DHEA-S

• Ageing

• Chronic stress

• Poor sleep

• Overtraining

• Long-term illness

• Glucocorticoid medication

• Adrenal insufficiency

• Low-calorie dieting

What can raise DHEA-S

• DHEA supplementation

• Improved sleep

• Lower chronic stress load

• Some adrenal conditions

• Better metabolic health

Important point

Do not blindly supplement DHEA. In some men, it can raise:

• Oestradiol

• DHT

• Acne

• Irritability

• Hair shedding

Test first. Then decide.

---

10. Pregnenolone — The “Mother Hormone”

What it is

Pregnenolone is made from cholesterol and is a precursor to many hormones, including:

• Progesterone

• DHEA

• Cortisol

• Testosterone

• Oestrogens

It sits high up the hormone production chain.

Main functions

Pregnenolone may support:

• Memory

• Mood

• Brain function

• Stress response

• Hormone production capacity

Typical levels

Ranges vary significantly.

Pregnenolone:

• Often roughly 10–200 ng/dL

More optimised level

There is no universally accepted “optimal” range.

Generally:

• Not deficient

• Not excessively high

• Interpreted alongside cortisol, DHEA-S, testosterone, and symptoms

What can affect pregnenolone

Can lower it:

• Ageing

• Chronic stress

• Very low cholesterol

• Poor mitochondrial function

• Inflammation

• Steroid medications

• Severe calorie restriction

Can raise it:

• Pregnenolone supplementation

• Improved overall hormone production

• Certain adrenal patterns

Important point

Pregnenolone is not a magic anti-ageing pill. Some men feel sharper on it. Others feel wired, anxious, or irritable.

---

11. Progesterone — Small But Important in Men

What it is

Men produce small amounts of progesterone. It is not just a female hormone.

Main functions

In men, progesterone helps with:

• Nervous system calm

• Sleep quality

• Brain function

• Balancing excessive oestrogen effects

• Acting as a precursor to cortisol and testosterone pathways

• Modulating 5-alpha reductase activity

Typical levels

Male progesterone:

• Often around 0.1–1.0 ng/mL

More optimised level

Usually:

• Low-normal to mid-range

• Men do not typically want high progesterone

What can affect progesterone

Raises it:

• Progesterone medication/creams

• Certain adrenal or testicular conditions

• Some hormone protocols

Lowers it:

• Ageing

• Chronic stress

• Poor steroid hormone production

• Very low cholesterol intake/status

Important point

High progesterone in men may contribute to:

• Low libido

• Fatigue

• Mood changes

• Erectile issues

It is a support player, not the main event.

---

12. Insulin — The Metabolic Gatekeeper

What it is

Insulin controls blood sugar and nutrient storage. It is not a sex hormone, but it strongly affects testosterone, SHBG, belly fat, energy, and ageing.

For men over 50, insulin is one of the big ones.

Main functions

Insulin helps:

• Move glucose into cells

• Store nutrients

• Build muscle when sensitivity is good

• Regulate fat storage

• Influence SHBG

• Affect testosterone indirectly

Typical levels

Fasting insulin:

• Many labs: roughly 2–25 µIU/mL

More optimised level

Often:

• 2–8 µIU/mL fasting

• Ideally interpreted with fasting glucose and HbA1c

Useful additional markers:

Fasting glucose:

• Normal: 70–99 mg/dL

• Optimised: often 75–90 mg/dL

HbA1c:

• Normal: below 5.7%

• Optimised: roughly 5.0–5.4%, depending on context

What raises insulin

• Belly fat

• High refined carbohydrate intake

• Frequent snacking

• Poor sleep

• Alcohol

• Low muscle mass

• Inactivity

• Stress

• Sleep apnoea

• Fatty liver

• Genetics

What improves insulin sensitivity

• Strength training

• Walking after meals

• Losing waist size

• Higher protein intake

• Better sleep

• Lower alcohol

• More fibre

• Zone 2 cardio

• Building muscle

• Reducing ultra-processed food

Important point

Low testosterone and insulin resistance often travel together. Fixing metabolic health can significantly improve male hormone function.

---

13. Growth Hormone & IGF-1 — Repair, Recovery and Tissue Maintenance

What they are

Growth hormone is released from the pituitary, mostly during deep sleep. It stimulates production of IGF-1, mainly in the liver.

IGF-1 is easier to measure than growth hormone because GH pulses throughout the day.

Main functions

They support:

• Muscle repair

• Tendon and ligament health

• Bone strength

• Fat metabolism

• Recovery

• Skin and connective tissue

• Cellular repair

• Training adaptation

Typical levels

IGF-1:

• Highly age-dependent

• Adult male range often roughly 80–250 ng/mL, depending on age and lab

More optimised level

For middle-aged men:

• Often mid-range for age

• Not very low

• Not excessively high

What lowers GH/IGF-1

• Poor sleep

• Low protein intake

• High body fat

• Insulin resistance

• Ageing

• Alcohol

• Chronic inflammation

• Sedentary lifestyle

• Very high sugar intake

• Liver dysfunction

What improves natural GH rhythm

• Deep sleep

• Resistance training

• Sprint work, if joints and heart are healthy

• Losing abdominal fat

• Protein sufficiency

• Avoiding alcohol before bed

• Not eating huge late-night meals

Important point

More is not always better. Excess GH/IGF-1 can cause problems like:

• Fluid retention

• Joint pain

• Carpal tunnel symptoms

• Insulin resistance

• Organ/tissue overgrowth in pathological states

This is a recovery system, not a toy.

---

14. Melatonin — The Sleep Signal

What it is

Melatonin is produced by the pineal gland when darkness hits. It tells your body: night mode has begun.

Main functions

Melatonin supports:

• Sleep onset

• Circadian rhythm

• Antioxidant defence

• Immune regulation

• Recovery

• Hormonal timing

• Testosterone rhythm indirectly through sleep quality

Typical levels

Usually not checked routinely in blood. Saliva or urine metabolites can assess rhythm.

More optimised pattern

You want:

• Low melatonin during the day

• Strong evening rise

• Good sleep onset

• Deep sleep

• Consistent wake time

What lowers melatonin

• Bright light at night

• Phone/TV in bed

• Shift work

• Late caffeine

• Alcohol

• Stress

• Irregular sleep schedule

• Ageing

• Lack of morning sunlight

What improves melatonin rhythm

• Morning sunlight

• Dim lights after sunset

• Blue-light control at night

• Same sleep/wake time

• Cool dark bedroom

• No alcohol near bedtime

• Caffeine cut-off 8–10 hours before bed

Important point

Melatonin supplements can help short-term, especially for jet lag. But the bigger win is fixing the light environment.

---

15. Leptin — The Body Fat Signal

What it is

Leptin is made by fat cells. It tells the brain how much stored energy you have.

In a healthy system, higher leptin should reduce hunger. In many overweight men, the brain stops listening. That is called leptin resistance.

Main functions

Leptin regulates:

• Appetite

• Energy expenditure

• Metabolism

• Reproductive hormone signalling

• Thyroid function

• Fat storage

• Inflammation

Typical levels

Male leptin:

• Often roughly 1–10 ng/mL in lean men

• Higher levels commonly occur with higher body fat

More optimised level

Usually:

• Lower end of normal, assuming body fat is healthy

• Not extremely low from crash dieting

• Not high from obesity/leptin resistance

What raises leptin

• Higher body fat

• Inflammation

• Insulin resistance

• Overeating

• Poor sleep

• Ultra-processed foods

What lowers leptin

• Fat loss

• Calorie restriction

• Fasting

• Very low body fat

• Improved insulin sensitivity

• Better sleep

Important point

If leptin is high, the answer is not usually “more willpower.” It means the body’s appetite signalling is distorted. You fix that with food quality, sleep, muscle, walking, and fat loss.

---

16. Ghrelin — The Hunger Hormone

What it is

Ghrelin is produced mainly in the stomach. It tells your brain: eat.

Main functions

Ghrelin affects:

• Hunger

• Meal timing

• Growth hormone release

• Reward eating

• Body weight regulation

• Gut motility

Typical levels

Not commonly tested in routine clinical practice.

Optimised pattern

You want:

• Hunger at appropriate meal times

• No constant cravings

• No night-time food raids

• Stable energy between meals

What raises ghrelin

• Sleep deprivation

• Crash dieting

• Long fasting periods

• Stress

• Highly restrictive diets

• Weight loss phases

What helps control ghrelin

• Protein at breakfast

• High-fibre foods

• Consistent meal timing

• Better sleep

• Hydration

• Strength training

• Avoiding ultra-processed foods

Important point

If you sleep 5 hours a night, hunger hormones turn against you. That is not weakness. That is biology.

---

17. Aldosterone — Blood Pressure and Fluid Balance

What it is

Aldosterone is an adrenal hormone that helps regulate sodium, potassium, blood pressure, and fluid balance.

Main functions

Aldosterone controls:

• Blood pressure

• Sodium retention

• Potassium excretion

• Hydration status

• Blood volume

• Electrolyte balance

Typical levels

Ranges depend on posture, sodium intake, and timing.

Often interpreted with renin.

More optimised pattern

You want:

• Normal blood pressure

• Stable electrolytes

• No unexplained dizziness

• No persistent fluid retention

• Healthy sodium/potassium balance

What can raise aldosterone

• Dehydration

• Low sodium intake

• Stress

• High potassium intake

• Primary hyperaldosteronism

• Certain blood pressure disorders

What can lower aldosterone

• Adrenal insufficiency

• Some medications

• High sodium intake

• Kidney/adrenal issues

Important point

If a man has high blood pressure plus low potassium, aldosterone should be considered by a physician.

---

18. Vasopressin / ADH — Hydration Control

What it is

ADH, also called vasopressin, helps the body retain water.

Main functions

ADH regulates:

• Hydration

• Urine concentration

• Blood sodium

• Blood pressure

• Fluid balance

Typical testing

Not commonly measured unless there are sodium disorders or excessive urination/thirst.

What affects ADH

Raises ADH:

• Dehydration

• Stress

• Nausea

• Pain

• Low blood volume

• Some medications

Lowers ADH:

• Alcohol

• Excess fluid intake

• Diabetes insipidus

• Certain brain/pituitary issues

Important point

Alcohol makes you urinate more partly because it suppresses ADH. That is one reason drinking wrecks hydration and recovery.

---

19. PSA — Not a Hormone, But Critical for Men

What it is

PSA stands for Prostate-Specific Antigen. It is not a hormone, but it is important when assessing male hormone health, especially if considering TRT.

Main use

PSA helps monitor prostate health.

Typical levels

General guide:

• Below 4.0 ng/mL is often considered within reference range

• But age, prostate size, infections, cycling, ejaculation, and trends matter

More optimised approach

The key is not just one number. It is:

• Age-adjusted PSA

• PSA trend over time

• Free PSA if needed

• Prostate symptoms

• Family history

• Digital rectal exam where appropriate

What can raise PSA

• Benign prostate enlargement

• Prostate infection/inflammation

• Recent ejaculation

• Cycling

• Prostate manipulation

• Urinary retention

• Prostate cancer

• Possibly androgen therapy in some men

Important point

Before TRT, many men should have baseline PSA assessed, especially over 45–50 or with family history.

---

20. HCG — The Testicular Signal Mimic

What it is

hCG, human chorionic gonadotropin, acts similarly to LH in men. It tells the testes to produce testosterone.

It is not usually a standard male hormone marker unless used medically.

Main functions/use

hCG can be used to support:

• Testosterone production

• Testicular size during TRT

• Fertility protocols

• Intratesticular testosterone

What it can affect

hCG can raise:

• Testosterone

• Oestradiol

• DHT

• Sperm production support when used appropriately

Important point

hCG should be medically supervised. Too much can push oestradiol high, cause mood swings, water retention, nipple sensitivity, or acne.

---

21. Inhibin B — Fertility Feedback Marker

What it is

Inhibin B is produced by Sertoli cells in the testes and reflects sperm-production activity.

Main functions

It helps regulate FSH and gives insight into:

• Sertoli cell function

• Sperm production capacity

• Male fertility status

Typical levels

Ranges vary.

Often roughly:

• 100–300 pg/mL, lab-dependent

More optimised level

For fertility:

• Higher within range is generally more reassuring

• Must be interpreted with semen analysis, FSH, testicular volume, and clinical history

What can lower inhibin B

• Impaired sperm production

• Testicular damage

• Varicocele

• Ageing

• Anabolic steroid/TRT suppression

• Chemotherapy/radiation

• Genetic fertility issues

Important point

If fertility matters, do not rely on testosterone alone. A man can have decent testosterone and poor sperm production.

---

22. AMH — Anti-Müllerian Hormone

What it is

AMH is better known in female fertility, but men produce it too, mainly from Sertoli cells.

Main functions in males

AMH is involved in:

• Male sexual development

• Sertoli cell function

• Fertility assessment in specific cases

Typical use

Not routinely tested in adult male hormone panels, but may be useful in specialist fertility or developmental assessments.

What can affect it

• Sertoli cell health

• Testicular development

• Certain genetic or endocrine conditions

• Age and fertility status

---

23. Oxytocin — Bonding, Trust and Connection

What it is

Oxytocin is a hormone and neurotransmitter involved in bonding and social connection.

Main functions

Oxytocin influences:

• Pair bonding

• Trust

• Emotional connection

• Sexual intimacy

• Stress regulation

• Fatherhood behaviours

• Social confidence

Typical testing

Not commonly useful in standard bloodwork.

What can improve oxytocin naturally

• Physical affection

• Sex and intimacy

• Deep conversation

• Trust-based friendships

• Time with children or pets

• Acts of service

• Group belonging

• Breathwork and relaxation

Important point

For men 50+, hormones are not just about gym performance and libido. Connection matters. Isolation is a biological stressor.

---

24. Dopamine — The Motivation Chemical

What it is

Dopamine is more of a neurotransmitter than a classic hormone, but it strongly affects male drive.

Main functions

Dopamine supports:

• Motivation

• Focus

• Reward

• Libido

• Confidence

• Learning

• Goal pursuit

• Prolactin control

Higher dopamine activity generally suppresses prolactin. Low dopamine tone can allow prolactin to rise.

What lowers dopamine function

• Poor sleep

• Chronic stress

• Porn overstimulation

• Excess alcohol

• Drug use

• Ultra-processed food

• Depression

• Low protein intake

• ADHD patterns

• Lack of purpose

• Sedentary lifestyle

What supports dopamine health

• Clear goals

• Strength training

• Morning light

• Protein, especially tyrosine-rich foods

• Deep work

• Cold exposure, if tolerated

• Novel challenges

• Rewarding effort, not just outcomes

• Reducing cheap dopamine habits

Important point

A man with terrible dopamine habits can have “normal” testosterone and still feel unmotivated, flat, and distracted.

---

25. Serotonin — Mood, Calm and Impulse Control

What it is

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter involved in mood, satiety, sleep, and emotional regulation.

Main functions

Serotonin helps with:

• Mood stability

• Patience

• Sleep regulation

• Appetite control

• Impulse control

• Emotional resilience

What affects serotonin

Supports serotonin:

• Morning sunlight

• Exercise

• Protein sufficiency

• Gut health

• Social connection

• Purposeful work

• Omega-3 intake

• Good sleep rhythm

Can disrupt serotonin:

• Chronic stress

• Poor gut health

• Alcohol

• Lack of light exposure

• Inactivity

• Some medications

• Inflammation

Important point

Some antidepressants affect serotonin and may also affect libido, erections, orgasm quality, and prolactin in some men. Never stop medication without your doctor.

---

Practical “Male Optimisation” Panel

If you want a more complete picture, these are worth discussing with your clinician:

Core male hormone markers

• Total testosterone

• Free testosterone

• SHBG

• Albumin

• LH

• FSH

• Sensitive oestradiol

• Prolactin

• DHT

• DHEA-S

Thyroid/metabolic markers

• TSH

• Free T4

• Free T3

• Thyroid antibodies

• Fasting glucose

• Fasting insulin

• HbA1c

• Lipids

• Liver enzymes

• Kidney function

Stress/recovery markers

• Morning cortisol

• DHEA-S

• hs-CRP

• Ferritin

• Vitamin D

• B12

• Magnesium/RBC magnesium if available

Male health/prostate/fertility

• PSA

• Full blood count/haematocrit

• Semen analysis if fertility matters

• Inhibin B if fertility workup is needed

---

Bottom Line

The main male hormone story is not just testosterone.

A strong male system needs:

• Androgens for drive, libido, muscle, and confidence

• Oestradiol for joints, mood, erections, and bones

• Thyroid for metabolic fire

• Cortisol rhythm for stress and recovery

• Insulin sensitivity for fat loss and hormone health

• Dopamine and sleep hormones for motivation and discipline

• Prostate and fertility markers for long-term male health

The mission is balance. Not maximum. Not minimum. Balanced, resilient, and functional.