Are you aware of how important testosterone is in a man? In case you did not know, it is the primary sex hormone in males, and it is critical to their physical, sexual, and reproductive development. Without it, many important bodily functions will not be carried out and completed, resulting to various health problems and complications.
Why is testosterone important?
Produced in the testicles, testosterone plays a major role in a wide variety of bodily processes and functions, including:
Growth of body hair
With normal testosterone levels in the body, men can grow facial hair, pubic hair, underarm hair, etc.
Deepening of voice
Once males enter the puberty stage, their voices start to change and get deeper.
Increase in height
During puberty, men experience growth spurts that cause them to grow about 4 inches each year.
Sex drive
Testosterone can help keep your sex drive or libido high for sex.
Bone and muscle mass and strength
You can grow strong and healthy bones and muscles with the right levels of testosterone in your body.
Fat distribution
You can better manage your body fat percentage and weight, and prevent obesity, high blood pressure, and other similar health problems, if your testosterone levels are normal.
Production of red blood cells
Testosterone can contribute to your body’s ability to produce healthy red blood cells for a healthy cardiovascular system.
How do you know if your testosterone is too high?
You should go to your doctor to get your testosterone levels checked. You will have to undergo a testosterone level test to determine how much testosterone there is in your body. You will be diagnosed with having too much testosterone if:
- Your total testosterone level is tested and your result is higher than 950 nanograms per deciliter
- Your free testosterone level is tested and your result is higher than 30 nanograms per deciliter
It is best to sit down with your doctor to talk about the best treatment solutions for your abnormally high testosterone levels immediately to not cause any more serious damage to your health.
What happens if you have too much testosterone in the body?
Having too much testosterone in the body comes with several signs and symptoms that may start manifesting as early as puberty. The following are the common warning signs brought about by high testosterone levels that you should watch out for:
Early puberty
Normally, boys start puberty between the ages of 9 and 14 years. If someone begins manifesting the different signs of puberty, such as body hair growth, muscle growth, enlargement of penis and testicles, acne, growth spurt, and deepening of voice, even before they turn 9, there is a likelihood that their testosterone levels are high.
Infertility
Too much testosterone in the body can negatively affect sperm production. It can actually hinder your ability to produce enough good quality sperm for sex and reproduction.
Increased risk of heart attack and stroke
There was a study that found that an increase in a man’s testosterone levels caused an increase in his risk of heart disease, especially in men 65 years and older.
High red blood cell count
Testosterone can increase a person’s hematocrit, hemoglobin, or red blood cell count. As long as it is taken in moderate dosages, it should be fine. However, if too much of it is administered, your red blood cell count will go over the normal range and result to greater blood viscosity, which can slow down cerebral blood flow and put you in danger of stroke and thrombosis.
Increased anger, irritability, aggression, etc.
Androgens, such as testosterones, can affect a man’s behavior. Having too much of these in the body can enhance one’s aggressive behaviors, resulting to getting angry or irritated more easily, and so on.
Because these side effects of high T levels can drastically change your life, it is best to go through a medical exam and consult your doctor regularly to learn to manage your testosterone levels, ensuring that they are kept normal.
What causes testosterone levels to increase?
There are many factors that can increase testosterone levels in the body. Some common causes are:
- Abuse of anabolic steroid
Some men, like body builders and athletes, use anabolic steroid for increased muscle mass and improved athletic performance. While moderate consumption is okay, excessive or abusive use of it can significantly raise testosterone levels, and bring about the negative side effects.
- Overuse of testosterone supplements
Testosterone supplements are often prescribed by doctors to men who have low testosterone levels to raise their testosterone. However, if your T levels are already high, and you purchased some without a prescription, you are at risk of abnormally high T levels that can harm your health. Or, if you have low T and want to see results fast so you take more than the recommended dosage, you are only endangering yourself.
- Tumor growth
Certain tumors, such as testicular tumors and adrenal tumors, can impair your testicular and adrenal functions, and trigger a sudden rise in your body’s testosterone levels. They also come with numerous signs and symptoms, including heart palpitations, high blood pressure, diabetes, back pains, and inflammation.
How do you treat high testosterone?
Usually, men with high testosterone levels are advised by their doctors to do the following to treat their high T:
Stop taking testosterone supplements
Stopping your intake of testosterone supplements can help reduce the testosterone in your body. After some time, if there are no underlying health problems, you should be back to your normal T levels.
Eat foods that can lower testosterone
There are foods that can naturally reduce your body’s testosterone levels. Try using more vegetable oils, such as canola and corn, as they are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids that can significantly decrease your T levels. Also, you should include flaxseed to your diet, as it is loaded with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids, which many studies have found to have the ability to lower testosterone.
