A lot of people think that if your testosterone levels are extremely high, it would make you overly aggressive. It is, in fact, true that excessively high testosterone levels can affect your behaviors.
This is why doctors don’t often prescribe testosterone replacement therapy when your T levels are already in the normal range, to prevent your levels from shooting up so high that it causes behavioral and health problems.
Overview
A major sex hormone that plays various important roles in many bodily functions, testosterone is produced in small numbers by women in their ovaries, while most of the testosterone production in men is taken cared of by the Leydig cells in the testicles.
For men, having normal levels of testosterone is necessary even before you’re born. Otherwise, you’ll have problems with the formation and development of your testes and penis. During puberty and all through your adult life, you also need sufficient amounts of testosterone, otherwise you’ll have issues with your reproductive and sexual health.
Of course, the amount of testosterone you need to produce will vary depending on your age. For male children around 11 years old, testosterone levels of 130 ng/dl are already considered high. Normal testosterone levels spike during adolescence, wherein young men 12-13 years old typically need around 800 ng/dl of testosterone.
After that, your testosterone production then peaks. From 14 to 18 years old, the high range for testosterone levels of young men are at around 1,200 ng/dl. As you grow older, your androgen production will then naturally decline. Clinically speaking, if your testosterone levels are around 220-300 ng/dl, then that’s already considered low.
You will then need to find ways to boost your testosterone levels so that you don’t suffer from the health issues that are usually related with testosterone-deficiency such as low libido, poor sexual function, and loss of bone and muscle mass.
You can opt to raise your testosterone levels naturally by making dietary and lifestyle changes, or by seeking testosterone replacement therapy. But you also need to be careful that your testosterone levels don’t go overly high, otherwise, there will be health consequences too.
Health Problems Linked to Excessive Testosterone Levels
Having excessively high levels of testosterone can lead to many health problems such as the following:
- Acne and other skin reactions
High testosterone levels can lead to overly stimulated oil glands, which can then result in overproduction of sebum and acne.
- Sleep apnea and other sleep problems
According to a 2014 study, higher total testosterone levels is closely linked to shallow sleep, especially among overweight and obese men. Furthermore, two-thirds of the men who participated in this study suffered from obstructive sleep apnea.
- Testicular shrinkage
Men who have been taking anabolic steroids for a long time may experience testicular atrophy wherein their testicles actually shrink in mass and size. Testosterone replacement therapy may also cause your testicles to shrink.
External sources of testosterone cause your body to stop producing gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and luteinizing hormone, which causes your testicles to actually stop producing testosterone, thus leading to testicular shrinkage.
- Reduced sperm production
When men take too much testosterone and anabolic steroids, the brain may think that your high testosterone levels are a result of your testicles producing too much testosterone. The brain then reduces its stimulation of your testicles, which then results in reduced sperm production.
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia
Testosterone is responsible for regulating the growth and function of the prostate gland. Having too much testosterone can make the prostate gland cells grow exponentially, and such rapid growth can lead to benign prostatic hyperplasia.
- Growth of existing prostate cancer
Scientists have long established that prostatic cancers are very much influenced by androgens like testosterone, and that testosterone deprivation can actually slow the progression and growth of prostatic cancer. In contrast, extremely high testosterone levels can promote the growth of prostate cancer.
- Deep vein thrombosis
One study showed that among men with deep venous thrombosis-pulmonary emboli, a condition wherein a blood clot travels to the lungs, there was a high prevalence of usage of exogenous testosterone like testosterone replacement therapy and anabolic steroids.
- Breast enlargement
Although commonly associated with high estrogen levels, gyno or gynecomastia in men may also happen as a result of hormonal imbalances and extremely high testosterone levels. This is actually quite common among bodybuilders who regularly use high doses of testosterone.
Behavioral Impacts of High Testosterone Levels
Aside from the physiological effects of having excessively high testosterone levels, there may also be behavioral effects. For instance, high testosterone levels can lead to heightened aggression, which can further result in increased risk-taking behaviors.
High testosterone levels can also result in impaired judgment and negatively affect your decision-making skills. This means that you may find yourself making impulsive decisions more frequently.
Depending on your social circumstances, the effects of high testosterone levels may also vary. There have been studies that showed that when competition is present, high testosterone levels may lead to anti-social behaviors. On the other hand, when there’s no competition, high testosterone levels may fuel pro-social behaviors and fierce protectiveness.
The Best Way to Maintain Hormonal Balance
If your testosterone levels are on the lower limit of normal ranges, you may want to think twice about getting testosterone replacement therapy even though you may already be experiencing weakness, fatigue, or a reduced libido.
Instead, you can try improving your diet or taking dietary supplements that can help you boost your androgen production. For instance, Male UltraCore, the leading supplement for enhancing male sexual performance, can help increase your free testosterone levels, as well as your total testosterone levels.
Male UltraCore contains natural ingredients like Tongkat Ali and fenugreek which can help improve your hormonal profile. Tongkat Ali, for example, is especially beneficial for men who are under chronic stress. The herb helps to lower cortisol levels while raising your levels of total testosterone concentration.
On top of improving your hormonal balance, Male UltraCore can also help enhance your sexual prowess by increasing your libido and sexual stamina, as well as by improving your erectile function.
