Men in general have many physical conditions largely determined by low testosterone, and especially as they grow older. Decreased levels of testosterone have been associated with many diseases according to the research carried out, including metabolic syndrome and heart diseases. In this particular guide, we’ll discuss how low testosterone affects metabolic syndrome and the heart.
A set of disorders known as metabolic syndrome raises the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. It consists of:
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that around one in three adult Americans suffers from metabolic syndrome.
According to studies, men who have low testosterone are more prone to acquire metabolic syndrome and illnesses that are associated to it:
Increased body fat is linked to low testosterone, particularly in the abdomen area. In contrast with males with normal testosterone levels, those with the lowest levels had a three-fold increased risk of obesity.
Testosterone increases insulin sensitivity, which helps control blood sugar levels. Type 2 diabetes is up to 2.5 times more likely to occur in men with low testosterone.
Triglycerides and cholesterol levels Low testosterone is associated with a rise in and lowered “good” HDL cholesterol, two undesirable cholesterol profiles.
More research is required, although some data indicates that low testosterone may be a factor in high blood pressure.
While low testosterone is clearly associated with metabolic syndrome, it’s unclear which comes first. Do low testosterone levels lead to metabolic problems? Or do health issues like obesity cause testosterone to drop? The relationship likely goes both ways, creating a vicious cycle.
Over a period of time, low testosterone can also have a negative impact on heart health such as:
Men with low testosterone have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, according to numerous studies. Those with the lowest testosterone levels had twice the likelihood of dying from heart disease than those with normal levels.
Reduced testosterone has been associated with an increase in artery-clogging plaque, a major cause of heart disease.
Inflammation Testosterone may help reduce harmful inflammation in blood vessels. Low levels are associated with increased inflammatory markers.
Blood Clot Risk Some research suggests low testosterone could increase the risk of blood clots, though more studies are needed.
If you’re concerned about low testosterone, see your doctor for testing. Testosterone levels can be determined by blood testing. Low testosterone symptoms can include:
The range of 300–1000 ng/dL is generally regarded as normal for testosterone levels. Low testosterone can be due to levels less than 300 ng/dL.
Treatment choices for clinically low testosterone levels can include:
This treatment uses injections, gels, patches, or pellets to increase testosterone levels. According to studies, TRT can be used to treat a wide range of low testosterone symptoms.
Losing weight, regular exercising, stress reducing and sleeping well can all increase the natural testosterone in the body.
Testosterone levels can be supplemented through other critical minerals like zinc and vitamin D also, dietary proteins, and healthy fat categories.
According to research, treating low testosterone may have the following health benefits:
They can help male patients, who have low Testosterone levels, to reduce body fat and gain lean body mass, the research shows.
In diabetic males with low testosterone, TRT has been demonstrated to enhance blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity.
According to certain research, TRT may help lower “bad” LDL cholesterol and generally enhance cholesterol profiles.
TRT is known to reduce the risk of heart diseases in men with low testosterone. However, more long term studies and research is required in this area.
TRT has been shown to improve general standards of living that include energy, mood, sexual function, and other general well-being.
While it is true that some men may get a lot of benefits from testosterone replacement therapy, this is not for everyone. Possible dangers could consist of:
Testosterone therapy is not advised for men with serious heart disease, breast cancer, or prostate cancer. Always consider your doctor’s advice while weighing the advantages and disadvantages.
Of course, erectile dysfunction in men is often a result of low testosterone levels.
From available data, other than men who have previously been diagnosed with prostate cancer, there is no evidence that men are at any increased risk for developing prostate cancer after TRT. But it might cause the existing prostate cancer to grow even worse.
Yes women also have low testosterone especially when they reach their post menopausal stage.
