Is high testosterone in men good or bad? What do we know?
Is high testosterone in men good or bad? What do we know?
Everyone has long known that each hormone in the human body has a specific role. The main tasks of testosterone are the formation of the skeleton, muscle mass, erection and fertility. The maximum content of this hormone in the blood is observed in the morning — this is the main reason why the sun rises in the morning.
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This hormone gives representatives of the stronger sex a lower tone in the voice of “masculinity”, as well as in the development of muscles and brutal hairstyle, which attracts women. Although increased testosterone can increase the amount of hair on the body and face, men may experience hair loss. Perhaps this is why bald men are considered the most attractive and sexy. However, high testosterone is not always a good indicator, since the body is considered healthy when everything functions in harmony.
Increased testosterone and its insidiousness
There is an opinion that high testosterone is a kind of “bonus” and increases the masculinity factor in the stronger sex. However, practice shows that this is an erroneous statement and an imbalance of “male” hormones can lead to many serious health problems. The blood of men contains free testosterone, the norm of which should not exceed 2%. The main causes of increased testosterone include lack of sleep, poor diet, absence or irregularity of sexual relations, disruption of the endocrine system, tumors of the adrenal glands and genital organs, as well as improper use of medications that affect hormonal levels. Hypertestosterone is a disease called hyperandrogenism. Therefore, if a man notices sudden attacks of aggression, intense hair growth or progressive hair loss, uncontrollable sexual desire, one should not simply assume that he is just an alpha male. All of the above factors are signs that it is time to visit an endocrinologist and analyze your lifestyle.
Excessive testosterone can lead to liver disease, increased liver and cardiovascular disease, erectile dysfunction, cholesterol, infertility, and prostate cancer. Drug therapy is typically prescribed for excess male hormones. In such cases, the cause is a tumor that requires surgical intervention. In addition to drug therapy, it is important to minimize stress, normalize sleep patterns, and follow a specialist-recommended diet. It is also recommended to avoid strength training during treatment.
What if testosterone is low?
While high testosterone is not a sign of male aggression and the problem seems easily remedied, low levels of this hormone can be a serious blow to a man”s self-esteem. Low testosterone can be accompanied by a lack of healthy sex drive, a decrease in the number and quality of erections, a noticeable reduction in the duration of intercourse, and spontaneous irritability. Symptoms of physical exhaustion, memory impairment, sleep disturbances, and a feeling of constant fatigue are also possible.
IMPORTANT! Typically, testosterone levels in the body gradually decline with each passing year and should not be confused with age-related changes. However, if noticeable symptoms appear before age 50, this is a serious problem, and it”s time to consult a specialist to identify the underlying cause. Your doctor will develop a personalized treatment program to help you take steps to increase your hormone levels. Methods for increasing testosterone include:
- Replacement therapy — hormone levels are restored by directly administering it to the body (orally, by injection, with creams and gel patches, or subcutaneously).
- Stimulating programs — those that influence the body”s own testosterone production.
In addition to the above methods, an active lifestyle, proper nutrition, avoiding unhealthy habits, exercising, and eating seafood have a beneficial effect on the synthesis of male hormones.
Diagnosis of testosterone in men
If you notice symptoms that indicate a hormonal imbalance, it is important to consult a specialist about this issue. Playing the role of a self-taught doctor who independently diagnoses and prescribes treatment can lead to aggravation of the problem rather than solving it. It is important to remember that even the listed symptoms do not give a complete picture of the real state of health. Introduction to testosterone testing can be provided by an andrologist, endocrinologist, or reproductive specialist. For analysis, blood is taken from a vein, which must be prepared in advance. This means that the day before it is recommended to avoid physical activity, alcohol and tobacco, as well as fatty foods. Blood is donated strictly on an empty stomach before 11 a. m., when testosterone levels are highest. The approximate normal range for total testosterone in men over 18 years of age is from 8. 5 to 32. 0 nmol/L, but this value may vary depending on the testing methods used by a particular laboratory. In a bound state, 97-99% of testosterone circulates in the blood, with approximately 54% of the hormone bound to albumin and 44% to globulin, which binds to sex hormones.
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In unbound form, testosterone accounts for 1% to 3% (so-called free testosterone). Analysis of free testosterone levels is aimed at assessing androgen function in cases where men have increased or decreased globulin binding to sex steroids.
Testosterone and nutrition
Products that real men need to increase testosterone levels:
Why is very high testosterone bad? analysis of the main side effects of high testosterone
- Seafood. Shrimp, trout, herring, oysters, halibut and sardines.
- Lutein-rich vegetables and fruits. Tomatoes, cabbage of all kinds, zucchini, carrots, apricots, citrus fruits.
- Fresh herbs and spices. Arugula, dill, coriander and other green plants have a very positive effect on potency.
- Cereals. Porridge is a healthy product for both little boys and adult men.
- Sweets containing glucose (honey, sweet fruits). In this case, glucose is an excellent fuel for sperm motility. Refined sugar should be limited.
Important! The amount of testosterone-rich foods consumed should be balanced, as insufficient desire for a strong erection can cause gastrointestinal problems. Foods with the opposite effect reduce testosterone levels in the body.
- Salt. The sodium contained in this product suppresses male hormones.
- Sugar. Each time you consume this product, the body receives large doses of glucose, and to compensate for the resulting imbalance, the body begins to produce insulin, which, in turn, begins to suppress testosterone production.
- Coffee. This drink stimulates the production of the female hormone estrogen, which reduces sexual activity in men.
- High cholesterol foods. The reproductive system suffers—the balance of sex hormones is disrupted, with a shift toward the “feminine” side. Therefore, animal fat consumption should be limited. The best option is to eat lean meat.
- Fast food and processed foods. In addition to hormonal imbalances, there is a high risk of weight gain and gastrointestinal problems.
- Fat milk. The maximum permissible amount is 0. 5 ml per day. Consuming large amounts of dairy products stimulates the production of female hormones.
- Bread products. Excess refined carbohydrates, yeast, and organic acids reduce testosterone production. Whole grain or rye bread should be included in the diet.
- Beer. When alcohol enters the bloodstream, it severely damages testicular tissue. Consuming 100-150 grams of alcoholic beverages reduces testosterone levels in a man”s blood by approximately 20%. Frequent beer consumption has a negative impact on male reproductive health. Considering that beer is a source of phytoestrogens, female hormones, men can easily experience significant side effects such as a beer belly and erectile dysfunction. Furthermore, the refined carbohydrates found in alcoholic beverages contribute to obesity.
What else do you need to know about testosterone?
The first discovery and description of testosterone occurred in 1935. Since then, much research has been conducted on this hormone, so here are seven interesting facts about the male hormone.
- Testosterone as an indicator of love. Italian scientists have concluded that in the early stages of a relationship and during the period of falling in love, testosterone levels increase in women and, conversely, decrease in men. Therefore, salty foods are not the only indicator of love.
- Testosterone is the driving force behind success. It is believed that men with higher levels of this hormone are more likely to succeed in their careers. Therefore, girls who are wealthy princes should take a close look at men with obvious signs of increased testosterone on their faces.
- Good sleep = testosterone balance. Whether you like it or not, healthy sleep is the key to good health, including for men. Therefore, proper sleep of at least 8 hours a day is very important.
- Palm reading and testosterone. The index finger of the right hand is shorter than the ring finger. Scientists have found that this fact is associated with the receipt of testosterone by boys in the womb. The smaller the ratio of the index and ring fingers, the more male hubbub the boy received in the womb. Now it would be more interesting to watch how girls examine men’s hands and talk about all the secrets of male potential.
- Paternity and testosterone. Male hormones and their strong production play an important role in a successful pregnancy, but this does not mean that men with high testosterone will be good and caring fathers. Research has shown the opposite. The higher the testosterone level in representatives of the stronger sex, the more indifferent they are towards their children and vice versa.
- Testosterone as a medicine Testosterone-based drugs can be prescribed, in particular, for severe hormonal disorders (including congenital ones) and some tumor diseases. Such drugs can only be prescribed by specialists. However, many athletes take testosterone orally to increase muscle mass without thinking about the consequences.
Please note that in such a race for a beautiful, sculpted body, there is a high risk of harming your health. In addition to the fact that taking testosterone is unsafe (long-term use of this hormone leads to the body being unable to produce testosterone on its own), it is also illegal. Testosterone-based drugs are included in the list of substances prohibited by world and national sports organizations.
Topical testosterone treatment has recently become very popular in the USA and Europe. Manufacturers of gels, patches and other products containing hormones claim that these products can increase libido, eliminate erectile dysfunction and even get rid of excess weight and chronic fatigue. However, this is just a marketing strategy whose goal is revenue, not recovery. Such treatments may slightly increase sexual desire, but cannot eliminate the problem of erectile dysfunction itself. And the fact that testosterone is a miracle cure for chronic fatigue and obesity is simply a myth.
- Testosterone and longevity. Statistics show that men with a deficiency of this hormone live ten years longer than men of the same age.
So let”s summarize. Testosterone is one of the most important hormones that makes men real men. After all, it has so many functions, from mental health to reproductive function. However, it is important to remember that too much is not always good, since an overdose or lack of a hormone in the body can lead to very serious consequences.
It is important to remember that harmony must be maintained in everything, including the level of testosterone in the male body. That is, men who have a balanced body are more likely to live a happy life full of health, success and quality sex.
