What causes high testosterone in men?

What’s covered?

You might have heard that having high testosterone is every man’s dream. After all, testosterone is the hormone responsible for muscle growth, libido, and sperm production. So what’s the downside?

Unfortunately, high testosterone levels can also lead to a number of health problems, including heart disease, strokes, and infertility.

In this article, we’ll take a look at what causes high testosterone in men and some of the potential health risks associated with it.

What is Testosterone?

Testosterone is a hormone that’s produced by the testicles. It’s responsible for the development of male characteristics, such as muscle mass, body hair, and a deep voice.

The production of testosterone begins with a process called the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. This is a feedback loop between the brain and the reproductive organs. The hypothalamus, a region of the brain, releases a hormone called gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). GnRH signals the pituitary gland to release follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). LH then travels to the testicles and stimulates the Leydig cells to produce testosterone.

Testosterone is then released into the bloodstream, where it can reach other tissues in the body, such as the muscles. There, it can promote muscle growth and help to maintain other masculine characteristics.

Testosterone levels typically reach their peak during adolescence and early adulthood. They then start to decline after the age of 30 at a rate of about 1% each year. However, some men experience a more significant drop in testosterone levels, which can lead to a condition known as “low T.”

Low T Symptoms

Symptoms of low testosterone can include anxiety, depression, fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. Low libido and erectile dysfunction are also common in men with low testosterone levels. In addition to these physical and mental symptoms, low testosterone can also cause changes in appearance, such as reduced muscle mass and increased body fat.

If you suspect you may be suffering from low testosterone, it's important to consult your doctor to discuss treatment options. With proper medical care, it's possible to live a healthy and fulfilling life despite low testosterone levels.

Causes of High Testosterone in Men

There are a number of potential causes of high testosterone in men.

1. Age

One of the most significant predictors of testosterone levels is age. Starting around the age of 30, men begin to experience a gradual decline in testosterone levels of about 1% per year on average.

However, there is a lot of variation in this number - some men may experience a more drastic decline, while others may not experience much change at all.

2. Genetics

Age may be a significant predictor of testosterone levels, but genetics also play a role. Studies have shown that men with certain genetic polymorphisms are more likely to have higher or lower testosterone levels than average.

For example, men with a certain variant of the SRD5A2 gene have been shown to have an increased risk of developing testicular cancer, which is often accompanied by high testosterone levels.

3. Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by periods of stopping breathing during sleep. Sleep apnea can cause daytime fatigue, mood swings, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that men with sleep apnea had significantly higher levels of testosterone than men without sleep apnea. This is likely due to the fact that sleep apnea disrupts the body's natural circadian rhythm, which can lead to an increase in stress hormones like cortisol.

4. Certain medications

Certain medications can cause high testosterone levels in men. These include anabolic steroids, beta-blockers, and spironolactone (a medication used to treat heart failure and high blood pressure).

If you take any medications, be sure to speak with your doctor about the potential side effects.

5. Stress

Stress can cause a number of hormonal imbalances, including high levels of testosterone. When you're stressed out, your body produces more cortisol—a stress hormone—which can inhibit the production of other hormones like testosterone. This can lead to a condition known as "cortisol dominance," which can cause symptoms like weight gain, fatigue, anxiety, and depression. If you're feeling stressed out, be sure to take some time for yourself to relax and de-stress. You might want to try some relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation.

6. Illness/Injury

Finally, another potential cause of high testosterone levels is illness or injury. In times of stress, our bodies produce more cortisol, which leads to increased production of other hormones, including testosterone.

This stress response is meant to protect us from danger but when it occurs too often or for too long, it can put us at risk for developing chronic illnesses like heart disease, obesity, and type II diabetes.

Traumatic injuries like burns also increase cortisol and other stress hormones like adrenaline and noradrenaline, which can cause temporary spikes in testosterone levels.

However, these spikes are usually followed by a decrease in testosterone once the injury has healed.

Health Risks Associated with High Testosterone Levels

Most people associate testosterone with things like strength, virility, and energy. However, abnormally high testosterone levels can have some serious negative health effects.

Here's a closer look at some of the health risks associated with high testosterone levels.

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is one of the most common health problems associated with excess testosterone. This is because testosterone can cause your body to retain sodium, leading to fluid retention and increased blood volume. This, in turn, leads to higher blood pressure. If you already have high blood pressure, excess testosterone can make it even worse.

Weight Gain

Insulin resistance and abdominal weight gain can be caused by too much testosterone. So if you're struggling to lose weight or keep it off, high testosterone levels could be one of the reasons why.

Testosterone replacement therapy has also been linked to weight gain in some cases.

If you're considering TRT (testosterone replacement therapy), carefully weigh the potential risks and benefits with your doctor before starting treatment.

Mood Swings

Mood swings and irritability are also common side effects of excess testosterone. This is because testosterone can interfere with the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood. When serotonin levels are low, it's common to feel agitated, irritable, or even depressed. Low serotonin levels have also been linked to anxiety and sleep problems. Excess testosterone could be to blame if you're struggling with mood swings or other mental health issues.

Prostate cancer

Testosterone is thought to play a role in the development of prostate cancer. In fact, one study found that men with higher-than-normal levels of testosterone were more than twice as likely to develop prostate cancer as those with normal levels of the hormone

Acne

Testosterone stimulates the production of sebum, an oily substance that can clog pores and lead to acne breakouts. So if you're struggling with acne, it could be due to high testosterone levels

Male pattern baldness

Testosterone is also thought to play a role in male pattern baldness, a form of hair loss that typically results in receding hairlines and thinning hair on the crown of the head.

So if you're noticing your hairline receding or your hair getting thinner, it could be due to high testosterone levels.

Heart disease

Studies have shown that men with higher-than-normal levels of testosterone are at an increased risk for heart disease.

One theory is that the hormone causes plaque to build up in the arteries, which can lead to heart attacks and stroke.

What should be the normal testosterone levels for men?

Normal testosterone levels vary depending on a man's age and stage of life. In general, the normal range for healthy men is between 270 to 1070 ng/dL.

However, this range can be affected by factors such as obesity, medications, and stress.

Regular blood tests can help you determine your testosterone levels.

Conclusion

While having high testosterone levels might seem like every man’s dream come true, it’s important to be aware of its potential health risks.

High testosterone levels can lead to serious conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and infertility.

If you think you might have high testosterone levels, it’s important to talk to your doctor so that they can confirm the diagnosis and discuss appropriate testosterone supplementation.