OER Part 1: What is OER?

In the past two decades, technology has opened up exciting new pathways for educators. Students today are used to having knowledge at their fingertips. They can access knowledge instantaneously and interact with it in ways we have not always foreseen. The low-cost to free price tag on OER, along with the instantaneous access, has led the way for Open Education Resources (OER) in all levels of education.

What is it?

OER, according to the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation (2017), “are teaching, learning and research materials in any medium – digital or otherwise – that reside in the public domain or have been released under an open license that permits no-cost access, use, adaptation and redistribution by others with no or limited restrictions.” However, in a slightly more open definition, OER consists of digital media that are free to use. However, if a student wishes for the print version, it may cost, but usually at a much lower price than the standard textbook.

Where can I find it?

Open Education Resources can be found on education sites run by universities, teachers, nonprofit charities, and corporations, among other places.

Two of the biggest OER depositories are OpenStax and OER Commons. OpenStax is run by Rice University, which is a 501 C (3) nonprofit charity. Their mission is to “give every student the tools they need to be successful in the classroom” (OpenStax, 2019). OER Commons defines itself as a “public digital library of open educational resources.” (OER Commons, 2019).

 Who is creating these resources?

Professors, subject matter experts, and researchers, author OERs. While anyone can write OERs, not anybody does so. It takes a lot of time and resources to write a textbook. Yet it still leads to the major question that must be asked. How scholarly rigorous are these items?

How can we ensure quality?

This can depend. When deciding what OERs to use, the instructor needs to look at the course materials and see what others in their field are saying about the resource. Most big OER sites have peer reviews, editorial comments, and previous instructors and students who can comment on the usefulness of the resource.

 What should I look for in an OER?

Austin CC gives the following factors as criteria to consider when deciding where or not to adapt or adopt an OER textbook.

Check:

  • Accuracy / Quality of Content
  • Relevance
  • Production Quality
  • Accessibility
  • Interactivity
  • Cultural Relevance & Sensitivity
  • Licensing
  • Ease of Adaptability

Basically, it comes down to you, the instructor, to decide if an OER is not only applicable for your course, but well-written and accurate.

Conclusion

Open Education Resources have benefits as well as drawbacks. Both must be considered before an instructor decides to adopt an OER. But if a balance can be drawn or the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, then it should be considered as a valuable resource that instructors and students can use.

References

ACC Library. (2019). Open educational resources: Selection criteria & evaluation of OER. ACC Library Services: Research Guides. Retrieved from https://researchguides.austincc.edu/oer/criteria

The Hewlett Foundation. (2013, March 27). Open education resources. The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_educational_resources#cite_ref-6

OER Commons. (2019). Open educational resources. Retrieved from https://www.oercommons.org

Rice University. (2019). OpenStax. Retrieved from https://openstax.org

9 thoughts on “OER Part 1: What is OER?

  1. Results could range, but generally, users begin noticing delicate enhancements within the first
    couple of weeks. As the cycle progresses, these enhancements turn out to be extra
    pronounced, leading to seen modifications in muscle definition, energy, and fat loss
    by the end. Stacking Oxandrolone with Testosterone in a cycle
    is kind of prevalent amongst fitness fanatics, because it brings about distinctive outcomes.
    The primary purpose behind this stacking alternative is to maximise the
    advantages of both substances while minimizing the potential for antagonistic effects.

    It was initially developed to assist patients affected by muscle-wasting circumstances, extreme burns, and osteoporosis.
    Unlike many other steroids, Anavar is taken into account gentle, making
    it a preferred selection for each men and women. Remember, everyone’s journey is unique, and it’s essential to listen to your physique and modify your plan as needed.
    By following the following pointers, incorporating recommendation from
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    can unlock the unbelievable results of Anavar earlier
    than and after.
    This timeframe permits for significant benefits while minimizing
    the potential strain on the physique. It is necessary to note that longer cycles might
    improve the risk of side effects and suppress pure hormone manufacturing.

    We perceive there are different products in the marketplace that claim to assist assist healthy testosterone ranges.
    Nonetheless, many occasions these merchandise
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    When it involves dosage and cycle length, girls sometimes use decrease doses of Anavar compared to males as
    a result of their larger sensitivity to androgenic compounds.
    Oxandrolone dosages for ladies usually vary from 5-20mg per day, relying on expertise stage,
    goals, and individual tolerance.
    Amongst these are the potential to buy counterfeit products or mislabeled
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    To minimize such risks, it’s crucial to discover a trustworthy and dependable supply when in search of Anavar.

    It’s important to notice that the precise dosages and length of
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    The side-effects of Anavar could be extremely dangerous;
    it might possibly even result in sudden dying, in rare cases, although.
    Hence, for athletic efficiency, a person will consume 10mg-30mg per day, whereas for many who want cutting solely will stick with 20mg-80mg per day.

    Anavar is also a preferred alternative amongst
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    Since it has the minimal unwanted effects (provided you don’t exceed the
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    fat, even there are very rare possibilities of unwanted facet effects.

    Anavar is the best steroid so far as ladies bodybuilders are concerned, owing to
    the reality that it has an androgenic rating of 24, and likewise it’s not aromatizing to one’s senses.

    After all, like any other fitness complement, Oxandrolone is handiest when paired with a balanced
    food plan and a rigorous workout routine. When it comes to starting your supplement routine, it’s best to begin with a softer dosage for a couple of weeks, before progressively increasing if wanted.
    This gradual pathway allows your physique to adapt and
    signals any possible side effects. Generally, a starting dosage of 20mg to 25mg per day is considered protected for the
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    It’s also recommendable to maximise diligence as there may be imitation pills available
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    It’s necessary to notice that extending cycles past 12 weeks necessitates the addition of a testosterone base and the incorporation of liver help supplements.

    Men aiming for enhanced physique and performance commonly uncover that a every day dosage starting from 20 to a hundred mg proves extremely
    efficient over a interval of 6 to 12 weeks. Sure, Anavar can affect female fertility as it impacts the body’s hormones and menstrual cycle.

    This twin motion can contribute to a more ripped and defined physique, making Anavar
    a sought-after choice for these pursuing a lean and aesthetic
    look. Using Anavar throughout a steroid cycle is a highly effective means of creating lean muscle
    mass. This sturdy anabolic steroid might aid in fats loss, muscle
    acquire, and performance enhancement. Tracking your progress all through the 4-week Anavar cycle is essential for
    optimizing outcomes and making necessary adjustments. Regularly measure key areas similar to waist, hips,
    thighs, and arms to track adjustments in physique composition. Keep a document of your
    training periods, noting the weights lifted, repetitions carried out,
    and any improvements in endurance. Analyze your progress data and assess whether or not modifications to your training or nutrition plan are
    warranted.
    For best results, consistency in both food regimen and coaching is essential,
    as properly as adherence to really helpful dosages and cycle durations (source).
    Anavar, also identified as Oxandrolone, is thought for its capacity to deliver notable ends in a matter
    of weeks, particularly in phrases of lean muscle
    mass and power positive aspects. When looking at before and after footage,
    one can observe significant fats loss, notably within the midsection, in addition to an increase
    in body weight due to lean muscle gains (source). It’s important to notice that results could differ depending on factors such as individual
    response, dosage, food plan, and exercise regimen.
    Anavar, known for its anabolic properties,
    aids in creating a well-defined muscular structure. Bodybuilders might
    notice their muscle tissue turning into extra pronounced,
    with increased density and power over the course of the
    cycle. This is certainly one of the main explanation why many choose to
    include Anavar into their regimen.
    We have found hCG to be specifically efficient in treating testicular atrophy.
    In conclusion, whereas Anavar can provide vital advantages to girls in bodybuilding and athletics, potential side effects should not
    be overlooked. As you make your way through the preliminary stage of the 4-week
    cycle, you may observe some early adjustments taking root.

    You may expertise an elevated sense of energy, permitting
    you to perform higher in your athletic activities. The first week or two might witness the
    groundwork being laid for improved endurance and strength.
    Committing to a steady cycle, typically inside the 6 to 10-week
    range, and coordinating steroid consumption with training periods constitute
    the premise of an efficient Anavar routine.

    References:

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  2. Assume of this train as a combination of supinated curl and reverse curl.
    Your biceps works as a flexor and supinator on the means in which up and strengthen the wrist extensors on the method in which down. It really works your biceps by way of a full
    vary of motion and targets all the muscle tissue concerned in elbow flexion. The reverse grip places emphasis on the lengthy head of your biceps brachii.

    You can use it to pre-exhaust your guns initially of a exercise or throughout another level within the
    exercise. You don’t need to superset them with any other exercise, as they provide sufficient stimulation on their very own. The biceps are arguably the preferred muscle
    within the human physique. Ask even a toddler to level out
    you a muscle, and they’ll in all probability elevate their arms and begin flexing like a
    bodybuilder.
    Dumbbells enable more freedom of movement and may 
    target the biceps from a variety of angles and with completely different grips.
    You should look to use both barbells and dumbbells when coaching
    your biceps as a end result of they offer unique advantages.

    Barbells and dumbbells both present resistance that stimulates muscle growth and energy, in several methods.
    Others prefer to combine their biceps workouts with their back,
    as each workouts involve pulling motions. The greatest training program varies based
    mostly on the goals of the person, their starting health ranges, and their obtainable training
    time.
    Every of the three sets strikes through a special vary of movement.
    The first 21s set strikes by way of the lower range, stretching the bicep and working the short head of the biceps brachii.
    The second set strikes by way of the upper vary, working
    the brachii in a contracted position and concentrating on the long head.
    The last 21s set moves by way of the total range of movement of a
    regular bicep curl, simultaneously working the brief
    and lengthy heads. In wrapping up, building larger, stronger biceps is about
    more than just lifting weights; it’s about choosing
    exercises that work every part of the arm for balanced, efficient improvement.
    From foundational moves like barbell curls to
    targeted isolation exercises like preacher and cable curls, every plays a role in constructing complete power and definition. By incorporating varied angles, fixed pressure, and acceptable loading, you can optimize muscle activation and reduce imbalances
    or overuse accidents.
    Mechanical overload is triggered by muscle contractions,
    which stimulate the repair process and result in hypertrophy.
    The rear delt, or posterior deltoid, resides on the back of your shoulder,
    and its major function is to move your arm again. With the front
    and aspect delts taken care of, it’s time to show our
    attention to the rear delts. If the exercise nonetheless feels uncomfortable, or you would possibly be in search of an alternate, you must check out
    the monkey row.
    As supported by a review revealed within the Journal of Energy and Conditioning Analysis, for hypertrophy
    (building muscle) aiming for 6-12 reps must be adequate.
    Some bicep curl machines allow you to swap grips, which
    means you can even do machine reverse or hammer
    curls. Regardless of construction, the machine bicep curl is a secure and effective
    isolation exercise in your upper arms. It may be notably interesting to newbies, however it is also useful for advanced lifters and bodybuilders trying to isolate their biceps absolutely.

    The triceps brachii, generally generally recognized as the triceps, is located on the back of
    the upper arm, reverse the biceps. It makes up roughly two-thirds of
    the higher arm muscle volume and surpasses the latissimus dorsi and pectoralis main in dimension.
    Your shoulders and arms include many alternative muscles that together make up a significant share
    of your upper physique muscle mass.
    Carry Out 3-4 rounds in whole (or 2 if you wish to make this a beginner bicep workout).
    Expect expert-backed workouts, nutrition advice, the newest in strength sports activities, and an entire lot of
    motivation heading your means. When you get to the full-rep portion of the
    set, switch to a weight that will elicit failure
    inside seven reps, with associate help to succeed in seven if wanted.
    Seize the bar along with your hands separated slightly more
    than shoulder-width apart. Prolong your arms as a lot as possible, maintaining your back straight, abs tight,
    and gaze toward the entrance. Maintain a dumbbell
    or kettlebell in your left hand and bend the elbow as you pull
    the weight up toward your abdomen. All exercise
    includes danger of damage, including serious damage or dying.

    This limits its effectiveness considerably in absolutely
    growing the biceps, particularly in the elongated
    vary of movement, nevertheless it remains a staple for
    building mass and foundational power. To work your biceps,
    you will principally must do workout routines that isolate the muscle and force it to flex and supinate underneath load.
    There’s more to biceps training than simply stepping
    up to the weight rack and pumping via reps after rep of sloppy curls.

    You may eke through a number of periods with out good form or alternating workout routines and feel satisfied together with your efforts, however you received’t have success for very long.

    You May want to grasp extra about the muscles and
    how you’ll use them during every train variation to supply the outcomes you are hoping
    for to build a pair of big, robust arms. You can even do cable curls with
    a rope, which turns it into an various to the dumbbell hammer curl.

    References:

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  3. Or you can do supinated lat pulldowns as an alternative,
    although that’s not an choice when you practice at residence.
    Now by method of emphasizing the short head, we simply reverse what we did for the
    lengthy head. Subsequent, in case your lengthy head is lagging behind,
    then what you need to do is start implementing workout routines that preferentially target
    this head. In Distinction To the the biceps, the brachialis muscle
    solely has one function and that’s to flex the arm. So with that being mentioned, let’s take a glance at a exercise you are capable of do
    to enhance your biceps width, by first prioritizing the brachialis after which working on your less developed biceps
    head. While the brachialis could be the main elbow flexor, that is nonetheless a major position for the biceps as properly.

    It was the epitome of high-volume training, a
    method of understanding criticized by most coaching consultants
    today as not permitting sufficient muscle restoration. In the next slides,
    you’ll see—body part by physique part—the precise exercises the Austrian Oak carried out whereas within the prime of his profession,
    when he was the undisputed king of bodybuilding.
    Some people argue that the barbell curl is a staple as a end result of it’s easy to progressively overload.

    Focus on bracing your core and preserving it tight throughout the movement to stabilize yourself.
    Purpose for a strong contraction to the highest of the rep with a sluggish three-second eccentric (downward) motion. While
    it’s attainable, daily training is not beneficial as
    muscular tissues want time to get well. Aim to train your biceps twice
    a week to permit for sufficient recovery while promoting regular growth.

    In common, these workout routines contribute significantly to bicep growth, but every has
    unique strengths and limitations that will range primarily based on particular person targets
    and physique mechanics. The scheme follows a
    straight-sets strategy in which you utilize the identical working weight for all
    three units, attempting to succeed in the same target-rep figure on each (but don’t cease if you are capable
    of do more). You’ll use a slightly lighter weight
    (for the next rep target) on every successive train.
    “If you want to enhance your pulling capability, don’t skip bicep day. If your weapons run out of juice means before your rear delts, traps and lats, you are compromising your massive pulls and your back features too”, not to
    mention increasing your threat of harm. If you’re in this camp, you’ve most likely tried methods like going heavier with the
    smaller arm or doing more reps with the same weight.
    Nevertheless, since this is an isolation exercise, will probably be
    best to train with a light to moderate load to fully contract the biceps muscle tissue.

    Early in his bodybuilding profession, Arnold’s
    deltoids were the weakest facet of his upper body. So he worked them tirelessly, and after winning the
    1967 Mr. Universe contest in London, he attributed
    the victory largely to his improved shoulder improvement.

    Subsequently, what you should do is select big compound exercises
    that are more bicep-specific and embrace them in your coaching.
    One good thing about biceps coaching that many people don’t take
    into consideration is harm prevention. In truth, even in lots of strength-specific workout plans, there might be some kind
    of elbow flexion purely for injury prevention. Due to its positioning, the biceps and elbow are extra prone to harm on actions corresponding
    to deadlifts. Having robust biceps is a great way to
    keep your arms healthy and injury-free. Most people do clean and
    presses with a barbell and whereas standing.

    Take a 2–3 minute breather, then end your exercise in style with the incline dumbbell curl.
    In this workout, you’ll be training chest first, then move on to biceps.
    Feel free to flip issues round and begin with biceps if you
    like, but training chest before biceps most likely feels extra natural for
    most individuals. Manish is a NASM-certified fitness and diet
    coach with over 10 years of experience in weight lifting and fats loss health coaching.

    Prepare your back and biceps once per week should
    you work out three to 4 days per week and twice should you work
    out six days every week. You also can do an alternate
    curl in the way in which to target one arm at a
    time. Good news, regardless of what quantity of candles are on the birthday cake, there isn’t any cap on how a lot
    your guns can grow.
    We’re already doing 9-12 sets here, which is definitely a substantial quantity of quantity for a small muscle
    group like the biceps. Therefore, most of us need to know what the
    most effective bicep workout routines are to build muscle.
    Yes, some folks will say exercising your biceps in isolation is silly.
    Yes, you could select to “run the rack” and do a dumbbell curl dropset as an alternative of
    this choose. But Carla Sanchez, former IFBB Pro League fitness pro and owner of Efficiency Ready Fitness Studio in Lone Tree, CO, prefers the cable model in a pinch.
    The standing barbell curl is universally lauded by our consultants as a solid biceps builder, which might annihilate
    each the long outer head and quick inside head of the biceps when carried out appropriately.
    And whereas some useful fitness adherents may not give the biceps their due,
    the muscles are essential for a variety of actions too, like
    pulling and holding onto heavy objects.
    Additionally generally recognized as cranium crushers, mendacity triceps extension hit
    all heads of the triceps. Forcing you to isometrically contract the lengthy head, to forestall the weight
    from pulling the higher arm into flexion, means this predominantly targets
    the long head. The flexed shoulder position means the lengthy head is uncovered to a loaded
    stretch, great for muscle development. This helps
    to make sure the triceps is taken via a full range of motion during coaching.
    If you want to get well-defined biceps with out residing in the health club, then this is probably one of the greatest bicep exercises for
    definition that you are in a position to do. Though
    there are “only” 4 workouts, you’re nonetheless doing between 13 and 20 units, which is loads of coaching quantity to stimulate new muscle progress.

    In this text, we’ll listing the 12 greatest biceps workout routines
    you can do, whether or not you prepare in a fully-equipped fitness center
    or at house utilizing dumbbells solely or even simply your physique weight.
    To assist you to hone those arms, we created this list of
    go-to moves to work your biceps. Some hit the long head of the muscle;
    some concentrate on the quick head. To vary up the stimulus to your muscular tissues, we’ll mix up the tempo, add pauses with isometrics,
    and even change up the arm angle. Most importantly,
    the muscle is tasked with flexion of the elbow, which signifies that any time you bend your arms—like the aforementioned bodybuilder pose—your biceps are placing in the work to make the move.

    Carry Out this exercise in the first half of your
    workout while you’re still afresh to get probably the most
    out of it. The supinated-grip inverted row requires you to pull via your
    arms, which helps concentrate on the biceps brachii muscle.
    This exercise makes use of suspenders and your body weight
    as an alternative of cables or free weights. You must keep your core engaged all through this train to
    perform this exercise with the proper kind.
    You can use it to pre-exhaust your weapons firstly of a exercise or during another point
    within the workout. You don’t must superset them with any other train, as they supply sufficient stimulation on their very
    own.
    Novice lifters ought to stick with a primary bicep workout for the most half.
    While there’s no harm in making an attempt totally different exercises
    to see which you most enjoy, continually altering your routine can actually make your strength progress and bicep growth
    stagnate. For band curls, shorten your relaxation intervals to
    seconds to increase the pump and metabolic stress.
    Lastly, you’ll be doing banded curls to burn out your biceps and target the slow-twitch muscle fibers
    that you just couldn’t fatigue with the heavy free weight work.
    The straight barbell may help activate the biceps, however it’s not the simplest software for folks
    with limited wrist, elbow, and shoulder mobility. The curl bar’s design places your arms in a semi-supinated place, assuaging joint stress.

    The trick is to keep your spine impartial as to not put an extreme quantity of
    strain on your again. The bench cable curl offers constant pressure
    and optimal stretch all through the movement, making it a go-to exercise for these severe
    about development. In The Meantime, the preacher curl excels at isolating the biceps,
    especially at the stretch position, guaranteeing a full contraction and a targeted burn.
    The T-bar row is a compound train however will utilize excessive reps.
    For progressive overload, don’t actually be too concerned with being precise.

    Your primary job is to simply get a lot of volumes,
    so convey it to an RPE9. Jacked Gorilla was based in 2013, and
    began publishing bodybuilding complement reviews, and famous exercise routines.
    It wasn’t acquired by Rich Gorilla Restricted till 2019, and since then each our range of content and our viewers have grown considerably.

    In this post, I will walk you thru the highest barbell lifts
    to incorporate into your arm days for sculpted, toned arms.
    But guys the most effective complement to greater arms is wider, fuller shoulders.

    So, I highly suggest checking this article out
    next if you want to study a shoulder exercise I’ve been doing that’s been working really well for me.
    However, for some individuals, these may be robust on the
    elbows, so I’d recommend sticking with lighter weights and aiming for about managed reps.
    It’ll help emphasize the lateral and medial heads since as we noticed earlier, the long head doesn’t do a very good job at helping out during pressing-type exercises.

    Now if you don’t have access to cables, another choice is close grip push-ups or one thing known as the JM press
    however with dumbbells.
    The first one of these curl variants is the Supinated Cross Physique Curl,
    a incredible exercise which allows us to preferentially hit
    the lengthy muscle heads of the biceps. Slowly lower the dumbbells, and squeeze the triceps at
    the backside a half of the motion. In this difficult exercise both biceps and triceps shall be working in an alternating fashion. We know after we do
    that we are in a position to antagonistically shut off the biceps, or no much less than enable for a larger stretch of the
    biceps.
    Additionally, it’s okay to maintain fixed tension on your
    biceps throughout drag curls since one of the major purposes of the exercise is to maximise the pump.
    Sure, the movement will nonetheless construct mass, however you
    won’t have the ability to carry as heavy as you’ll be able to on regular curls.
    That’s why the train features prominently within the full bicep exercises
    below. Reverse curls are probably the greatest workout routines for biceps
    and brachioradialis improvement that you can do within the health club.

    The big arm muscles are some of the in style factors of focus for mass-obsessed health club bros, and for good
    cause. This high-rep, short-rest workout
    will give you the sensation you’re after.
    Combine in some dropsets and let that pre-workout
    present what it is good at. As A End Result Of the
    bar strikes vertically up and down, it can be done effectively on a Smith machine.
    This is a favorite biceps-building “hack” of Kris Gethin in his in style 8-Week Hardcore Daily Video Coach.
    Alternate with a impartial (palms going through
    in) or cambered grip, or carry out them on rings. When it involves building bigger biceps, I assume
    it’s fair to say that almost all of us don’t just desire a well-developed biceps peak.

    I normally program them toward the tip of my clients’ exercises to
    make sure they finish with a muscle-ripping pump.
    The unique line of pull of this train biases the bicep peaks.
    When you’re doing a bodyweight bicep workout at house with out entry to
    free weights, it pays to be creative and suppose a little
    outside the box. With a mixture of bodyweight exercises and makeshift tools you might have around your own home,
    you could get in a fantastic bicep exercise and eventually build
    biceps worthy of flexing. The setup for the bar shut grip curl is similar as
    the above train except your curling along with your hands collectively.

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  4. Testosterone: Overview, Function & Levels

    Testosterone is a hormone produced by the body, primarily in the testes,
    that plays several key roles in health and well-being.


    It is a type of sex hormone (androgen)


    It influences physical traits, including muscle mass, strength,
    and bone density


    It also impacts sexual function and fertility

    Functions of Testosterone


    Supports libido and sexual motivation


    Regulates sperm production


    Contributes to energy levels and overall vitality


    Helps maintain red blood cell count

    Normal Levels of Testosterone


    For men: Normal testosterone levels typically range between 300-1000 ng/dL


    For women: Levels are much lower, usually between 15-65 ng/dL

    Signs of Imbalanced Testosterone Levels


    Low testosterone (hypogonadism) may cause fatigue, muscle loss, and low libido


    High levels can lead to various health issues,
    including cardiovascular problems and infertility

    ### Testosterone
    Testosterone is a hormone produced by the testes in males
    and, to a lesser extent, by the ovaries in females.
    It belongs to a class of hormones known as steroids, specifically androgens.
    Testosterone plays a critical role in human physiology, influencing growth, development, reproduction, metabolism, and overall
    health.

    ### Is testosterone a steroid?
    Yes, testosterone is classified as an endogenous steroid hormone.

    Like other steroids, it is synthesized within the
    body by enzymes and is involved in various bodily functions.
    While often associated with male characteristics, testosterone also plays roles in female physiology, particularly during reproductive processes.

    ### What does testosterone do?
    Testosterone serves multiple functions:
    – **Growth and Development**: It stimulates growth of secondary sexual
    characteristics, such as facial hair, muscle mass, and bone density.

    – **Reproduction**: It is essential for sperm production and sexual function in males.

    – **Metabolic Regulation**: Testosterone influences energy metabolism,
    helping the body manage fat stores and regulate glucose levels.

    – **Mood and Behavior**: It can impact emotional
    well-being, libido, and cognitive functions, though these effects vary by individual.

    ### Testosterone and fetal development
    During fetal development, testosterone is crucial for the
    formation of male genitalia and the differentiation of gender roles.
    In females, it also plays a role in establishing baseline hormone levels necessary for future
    reproductive health.

    ### Testosterone and puberty
    Puberty is marked by a surge in testosterone levels,
    triggering physical and emotional changes. For males, this leads to increased
    muscle mass, deeper voice, and facial hair. For females, it contributes to breast development and reproductive maturation.

    ### Testosterone and adult males
    In adult men, testosterone levels remain relatively stable but can fluctuate based on aging,
    health, and lifestyle factors. High levels may contribute to
    conditions like hyperandrogenism, while low levels can indicate hypogonadism or other hormonal imbalances.

    ### Testosterone and adult females
    Adult women produce testosterone as part of their endocrine system,
    though in smaller amounts than males. This hormone
    supports reproductive health, libido, and overall well-being, though its levels can be influenced by factors like polycystic
    ovary syndrome (PCOS).

    ### How are testosterone levels controlled?

    Testosterone production is regulated by the hypothalamus and pituitary glands through a negative feedback loop.
    The body also uses feedback mechanisms to maintain homeostasis, ensuring testosterone levels
    remain within a healthy range.

    ### What tests measure testosterone levels?

    Medical professionals typically use blood tests or saliva tests to measure testosterone levels.
    These tests help determine if hormone levels are within the normal range or indicate
    potential imbalances.

    ### What are normal testosterone levels by age?

    Normal testosterone levels vary by age and gender:

    – **Males**: 300–1200 ng/dL (men); younger males may have lower levels around 700 ng/dL.

    – **Females**: 15–75 ng/dL; higher levels in premenopausal women may range up to 500 ng/dL.

    ### What causes high testosterone levels?

    High testosterone can result from conditions like hypergonadotropism,
    polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or excessive production due to tumors.
    In males, it could also be caused by anabolic steroid
    use.

    ### High levels of testosterone in males
    Excess testosterone in men may lead to symptoms like increased facial and body hair,
    fatigue, acne, and mood swings. It can also contribute to conditions like sleep apnea and cardiovascular issues.

    ### High levels of testosterone in females
    In women, high testosterone levels are often due to PCOS or other endocrine disorders.

    Symptoms may include hirsutism (excess hair growth), weight gain, and irregular menstrual cycles.

    ### What happens when testosterone levels are too low?
    Low testosterone can result in a condition called hypogonadism, leading to symptoms like fatigue, reduced libido, muscle weakness, and bone density loss.
    It is more common in men over 50 but can affect women as well.

    ### Low testosterone in fetal development
    In the womb, low testosterone levels may impact male genitalia development
    and could contribute to conditions like hypospadias (undescended
    testicle).

    ### Low testosterone in puberty
    During puberty, delayed development of secondary sexual characteristics due to low testosterone may indicate
    issues like obesity or hypogonadism.

    ### Low testosterone in adults
    Adults with consistently low testosterone levels may experience an array of
    health problems, including cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome.

    ### When should I see my doctor about my testosterone levels?

    If you experience symptoms like fatigue, weight loss, sexual dysfunction, or changes in body
    composition, consult a healthcare provider. They
    can recommend blood tests to assess hormone levels and determine if intervention is
    necessary.

    ### Care at Cleveland Clinic
    The Cleveland Clinic offers comprehensive care for hormonal imbalances, including testosterone level testing and management.
    Their expert physicians provide personalized treatments based
    on individual needs.

    ### References
    – National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).

    – Mayo Clinic.
    – American College of Endocrinologists.

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