Testosterone is a key hormone for men. It’s what drives sexual and reproductive function, helps build muscle mass and bone density, and generally keeps things running smoothly. While most people associate testosterone with male sexual characteristics, it does a lot more than that.
When your body uses testosterone, it’s broken down into other substances called testosterone metabolites. The most well-known of these are dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and estradiol (E2). These metabolites aren’t just waste products; they have important jobs of their own. Each one has unique biological activities that contribute to the overall effect of testosterone in your body.
There’s growing interest in how testosterone metabolites affect overall health, and that’s what we’ll be exploring here. We’ll look at the various uses of testosterone metabolites and what they mean for your health and well-being. We’ll also touch on how testosterone and its metabolites relate to metabolic health.