Testosterone, primarily a sex hormone, plays a crucial role in the functioning of the male body. It determines male characteristics, sperm production, bone density, etc. Due to its ability to enhance energy levels, testosterone is often referred to as a natural steroid. However, the T-levels tend to vary in the body. For instance, their levels increase in the mornings and drop in the afternoon.
Another aspect of the testosterone hormone is that it helps with vasodilation—the mechanism by which blood vessels relax, improving blood flow and preventing blood pressure. Testosterone levels decline with age and are intrinsically related to an individual’s lifestyle. Following a balanced diet and becoming physically active is the mantra to maintain healthy levels of this hormone.
Although testosterone holds the key to happiness and healthy living, it can also be the source of health issues if its levels go up in the body. In this article, we will dig deeper and try to explain more about the less-known aspects of testosterone. We will talk about signs of high testosterone and the factors contributing to it. Varied treatments for high testosterone are available and we will shed more light on them.
So without further delay, let us embark on our discussion.
Normal Testosterone Levels
As we understand, testosterone is a dynamic hormone that contributes to the body’s healthy functioning. It is often dubbed as a male hormone although it is produced in lesser quantities in the female body. The normal testosterone levels in men can be between 300 to 1000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). It can be anywhere between 15 to 70 ng/dL in women. With that said, age is a factor and studies show that testosterone levels decrease with age; with a drop of about 2% after the age of 30.
Testosterone levels can be diagnosed by undergoing a blood test; a blood sample taken from the veins in the arm using a small needle. The samples are taken in the mornings between 7 and 10 AM. If the test result turns out to be lower or higher than expected, multiple tests are conducted to confirm the result. We will discuss the implications of a higher testosterone reading in the upcoming section.
What Are The Signs Of A Man With High Testosterone?
High testosterone levels in men manifest in different ways, physical and psychological. For a better idea, they are distinguished and listed below. Read through the content.
- Excessive body hair
Heightened androgen activity caused by the influx of testosterone, can lead to excessive hair growth in the body.
- Increased muscle mass
Increased testosterone levels can cause elevated muscle mass and cause flexibility issues.
- Enlarged prostate
Testosterone at higher levels can cause benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) that causes urinary problems.
- Aggressive behavior
Testosterone can also affect the psychological state with elevated testosterone levels leading to irritability and aggressive behavior in men.
- Increased libido
Another symptom of enhanced testosterone levels is uncontrollable sexual desire affecting normal life.
- Mood swings
Due to heightened androgen activity caused by the influx of testosterone, the circadian rhythm of a person gets affected resulting in sleep deprivation and mood swings.
Causes Of High Testosterone In Man
Genetics, lifestyle, medication, etc can cause an increase in testosterone levels in men. It has been seen that in some cases, due to genetic tendency, testosterone is produced at higher levels.
Hyperthyroidism and adrenal disorders can contribute to elevated levels of testosterone in men. Tumors in the testes and adrenal glands can also cause an increase in the testosterone hormone. Lifestyle factors such as excessive alcohol consumption and drug abuse can also lead to hyperandrogenism.
Treatment For High Testosterone
Many treatments are available to reduce increased testosterone levels in the body. From observations and scientific studies, it is known that in many cases, this condition occurs due to some kind of anatomical abnormality. The most effective treatments include both medical and lifestyle modifications. To learn more, continue reading the following.
- Lifestyle changes
Due to stress and sleep deprivation, there is a possibility for testosterone abnormality, and abiding by a disciplined lifestyle can have a positive impact. In addition, studies have shown that excessive alcoholism and drug abuse also cause problems with testosterone production. Hence, lifestyle modifications stand out as an effective and risk-free treatment for high testosterone.
- Medications
In most cases, lifestyle changes can help with the condition of high testosterone conditions. However, in some cases, due to certain complexities, it does not work and had to resort to medication. Currently, two effective medications are available. The details are given below.
Spironolactone: Elevated testosterone levels can be decreased using Spironolactone—a medication that helps to reduce fluid buildup in the body.
Finasteride: Finasteride is a medication that prevents testosterone conversion to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) causing relief from problems like rampant hair loss.
- Treating underlying conditions
Thyroid problems and tumors can cause the testosterone hormone to surge. In such cases, medicines are given to treat the underlying conditions. For instance, surgery and radiation therapy provide positive results in treating tumors. Thyroid disorders can be treated by prescribing anti-thyroid drugs that can solve both problems at once.
- Regular monitoring and follow-ups
Those individuals who suspect they have high testosterone levels can approach a registered medical professional to get their blood tests done. The blood sample test gives accurate information and an experienced doctor can diagnose the causes and advise the right treatment plan.
When To See A Doctor?
As discussed earlier, increased levels of testosterone in the body can damage blood vessels and cause problems with organ functioning. In certain cases, an increase in testosterone can interfere with cardiovascular function and cause arrhythmia. Hence, medical help should be attained as early as possible to find an amicable solution. Sleep disturbances, mood swings, and irritability are some hints that the body gives about elevated testosterone levels.
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed about testosterone and its various aspects. We talked about blood tests that help find abnormalities in testosterone and listed the common symptoms associated with this condition. We concluded by highlighting the treatment plans available to reduce testosterone levels.
As we understand, testosterone is a hormone that plays a crucial role in the body’s functioning. However, their imbalance can bring disharmony, and hence ensuring healthy testosterone levels is important.
FAQs
Behavioral changes, high blood pressure, and rampant hair fall are a few symptoms of increased testosterone levels.
High testosterone can cause feelings of short temperament, loss of concentration, mood swings, etc in an individual.
High testosterone levels are detrimental to the body’s normal functioning.
Testosterone levels are at their peak in adolescence and early twenties.
High blood pressure, liver damage, and blood clots are all side effects of high testosterone levels.
