How Testosterone Affects Men’s Health
April 27, 2022
Four Natural Ways to Boost Testosterone
June 9, 2022
Testosterone production is at its peak in teenagers and men in their 20s. Their bodies let them know T levels are increasing with endless amounts of energy, barely needing to workout to stay fit, and increased libido.
While some men never notice a decrease in these high testosterone indicators, T levels do begin to decline after age 30 by about one to two percent each year.
Men suffering from low testosterone may see a more drastic or quicker drop in levels, and there are many different factors that can cause this decrease, like:
- Weight
- Age
- Medication
- Type 2 Diabetes
- High Blood Pressure
For some men, restoring testosterone levels to a “normal” range can be as simple as addressing these conditions. Let’s break down each factor.
Weight
Weight can play a major role in T levels. Your body uses fat cells to metabolize testosterone into estrogen, and an over abundance of fat cells can cause an increase in testosterone converting into estrogen. This increase creates an excess of estrogen and a shortage of testosterone. Simply put, high body fat can cause testosterone levels to drop.
Obesity also reduces your sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). This protein is necessary for the transportation and distribution of testosterone in your bloodstream. Less SHBG means less testosterone throughout your body. Other common conditions that correlate with being obese are high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and many more.
Common causes of obesity in men include:
- Lack of exercise
- Increased food intake
- Medical conditions or medications
- Poor sleep habits
The most effective way to increase your testosterone levels if you’re obese is to implement a healthy, balanced diet and regularly exercise. With positive changes in place, testosterone levels may increase naturally over time.
Age
Until the age of 30, the male body will regulate and maintain normal levels of testosterone. When men enter their 30s, their testosterone levels will naturally begin to drop one to two percent every year. This decline in testosterone is common among all men; however, a large drop in testosterone can be a warning sign.
Aging—like weight—can cause a lot of changes in the body. Monitoring your health changes and discussing those changes with your doctor can be key in catching and treating low testosterone early. Slow, steady changes in mood or behavior can be a normal side effect of aging, however, a sudden, unexplained change can be your body’s warning sign of decreasing T levels. The best way to determine if your symptoms are a result of low T is to go to your doctor or local clinic for a five-minute blood test.
Medication
One of the most common causes of low testosterone are prescription and over-the-counter medications. Medications prescribed by doctors and those taken without medical advice can interfere with the production of testosterone, leading to short-term and long-term effects—like low testosterone in men.
Conditions like low cholesterol, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart conditions, pain management, anxiety, and depression now have medication that can reduce their impact thanks to medical advancements. Unfortunately, the side effects of these medications can lower testosterone in men.
For example, men who take long-acting opioids are at an increased risk to be diagnosed with low testosterone than those that take short-acting opioids. Learning the side effects of any prescription medications and discussing any long-term effects with a doctor are effective ways to avoid lowering testosterone due to medications.
Medications that can lead to low testosterone in men are:
- Beta blockers
- Hypertension medications
- Antihistamines
- Antiarrhythmics
- Tranquilizers
- Opioids
- Antidepressants
- Anti-anxiety medications
- Chemotherapy
- Non-prescribed medications
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes and low T levels tend to go hand-in-hand with one often leading to the other if not treated. Testosterone helps your body absorb more blood sugar in response to insulin. Men who are diagnosed with low T are more likely to have insulin resistance. This means that they need to produce more insulin to keep their blood sugar normal.
Factors like obesity, poor diet, little to no exercise, bad sleeping habits, and being over the age of 45 increase your likelihood of having type 2 diabetes. Monitoring and supplementing your insulin levels—and implementing a balanced, healthy diet and regular exercise—are the most effective ways to increase your T levels if you’re diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Before you make any extreme changes to your diet or exercise, however, it’s best to consult your primary doctor or dietician.
High Blood Pressure
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is one of the most common conditions in the United States and affects almost half of all adults in America. It is characterized by a systolic pressure over 130 and a diastolic pressure over 80.
High blood pressure has a variety of factors that can cause or contribute to its onset. Some factors that increase your likelihood of having hypertension are:
- Having a family history of high blood pressure
- Lack of exercise
- Being overweight or obese
- Tobacco use
- Stress
- Diet consisting of too much salt
- Diet consisting of too little potassium or Vitamin D
- Chronic conditions like diabetes, sleep apnea, or kidney disease
Low testosterone is often caused by high blood pressure due to the medication used to regulate it and its correlation with poor diet and exercise.
Like low T, high blood pressure can go undiagnosed and untreated for a long period of time after its development. Even at dangerously high levels, high blood pressure shows no signs or symptoms. Many men and women go undiagnosed until a routine doctor’s appointment.
Medication, healthy eating, and regular exercise are the best methods to deal with hypertension. Like the above conditions, high blood pressure can cause low testosterone due to its correlation with unhealthy eating habits and lack of regular exercise. While that’s not the case for every patient, implementing healthy food choices and exercise can lead to a healthier blood pressure and higher levels of testosterone.
Low testosterone affects 40% of men 45 and older in the United States—but because a number of the symptoms are often mistaken for the effects of aging, many men go undiagnosed. Thankfully, if you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of low testosterone, a simple five-minute blood test can determine your T levels and help you determine which testosterone treatment is best for you.
Volonte helps people regain their health and well-being through low testosterone testing and T replacement therapy. Call Volonte today to schedule your FREE low T screening, and follow us on Facebook for more information.
