What is Testosterone?
Testosterone is a hormone found in both humans and other animals. The testicles are the primary source of testosterone in men. Women's ovaries produce testosterone as well, albeit in much lower quantities.
The production of testosterone begins to rise significantly during puberty and then begins to fall after the age of 30.
Testosterone is most commonly associated with sex drive and is essential for sperm production. It also has an impact on bone and muscle mass, as well as how men store fat in their bodies and even red blood cell production.
A man's testosterone levels can also have an impact on his mood.
Low Testosterone Levels
Low testosterone levels, also known as low T levels, can cause a variety of symptoms in men, including:
- Decreased sex drive
- Less energy
- Weight gain
- Feelings of depression
- Moodiness
- Low self-esteem
- Less body hair
- Thinner bones
While testosterone production naturally declines as a man ages, other factors can cause a drop in hormone levels.
Testicular injury, as well as cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation, can all have a negative impact on testosterone production.
Stress and chronic health conditions can also reduce testosterone production. Among them are the following:
- AIDS
- Kidney disease
- Alcoholism
- Cirrhosis of the liver
In adult women, testosterone levels gradually decline; however, low T levels can cause a variety of symptoms, including:
- Low libido
- Decreased bone strength
- Inability to concentrate
- Depression
Low T levels in women can be caused by ovaries removal as well as pituitary, hypothalamic, or adrenal gland diseases.
Although testosterone therapy may be prescribed for women with low T levels, its effectiveness in improving sexual function or cognitive function in postmenopausal women is unknown.
Facts About Cholesterol
A buildup of too much LDL cholesterol, on the other hand, leads to the formation of plaque in the artery walls. This is referred to as atherosclerosis.
Plaque inside the artery wall slowly builds up and bulges into the artery when a person has atherosclerosis. This can cause the arteries to narrow to the point where blood flow is significantly reduced.
When this happens in a heart artery called a coronary artery, it causes chest pain known as angina. When a plaque bulge ruptures suddenly, a blood clot forms around it. This can result in a complete blockage of the coronary arteries, resulting in a heart attack.
Testosterone and HDL
The "good" cholesterol is often referred to as HDL cholesterol. It transports LDL cholesterol, or "bad" cholesterol, as well as other fats (such as triglycerides) from your bloodstream to your liver.
Once in your liver, LDL cholesterol can be filtered out of your body. Low HDL levels are thought to be a risk factor for heart disease. A high HDL level is protective.
Some researchers have discovered that men who take testosterone medications may have a decrease in HDL levels. However, study results have not been consistent. Other researchers discovered that testosterone had no effect on HDL levels.
The effect of testosterone on HDL cholesterol varies depending on the individual. Age could be a factor. Your testosterone medication's type or dose may also have an effect on your cholesterol.
The effect of testosterone on cholesterol is currently unknown. As more people consider taking testosterone supplements, it's reassuring to know that a large number of researchers are investigating the safety and efficacy of this type of hormone replacement therapy.
Related Article: Can Testosterone Cause Acne?
Can Low Testosterone Levels Cause High Cholesterol?
Your Leydig cells may begin to produce less testosterone as you get older. The relationship between testosterone and cholesterol is still being studied by researchers. One theory for why low testosterone is linked to high cholesterol is that your Ledyig cells use less cholesterol to do things like create hormones.
How Triglycerides and Cholesterol Affect Your Health
When the cholesterol level in your blood rises too high, it raises your risk of heart disease. That is why cholesterol screening and lowering your risk of high cholesterol are so critical.
When we talk about high cholesterol, we mean high low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. And like we earlier discussed, LDL cholesterol, is also known as "bad" cholesterol, which is the type that can build up and clog our arteries. This can increase the risk of developing heart disease, having a heart attack, or having a stroke.
High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, on the other hand, is the "good" cholesterol. It transports LDL cholesterol from the arteries to the liver, where it is broken down. A healthy level of HDL cholesterol may help lower your risk of heart disease.
These two types of cholesterol combine to form total cholesterol, which is the total amount of cholesterol in your blood. To help screen for high cholesterol, our doctors use a simple blood test to measure these levels.
High triglycerides are another cause for concern. Triglycerides, like cholesterol, are a type of fat in your blood. It is, in fact, one of the most prevalent types of fat in your body. It saves any unused calories from the food you consume. Being overweight or obese may be exacerbated by high levels.
And because these levels are so important to your health, it's critical to do everything you can to avoid high cholesterol and lower it if you already have it. That is why research into the relationship between low testosterone and high cholesterol is so intriguing. Furthermore, studies suggest that testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for low testosterone levels may be linked to healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
According to Research, Low Testosterone Treatment May Help Lower Cholesterol and Triglycerides
Several studies have looked at cholesterol and triglycerides levels in men with low testosterone after they started testosterone replacement therapy. Many of these studies have discovered that TRT may help lower total cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
A 2013 study looked at the long-term effects of testosterone on the risk of metabolic syndrome. High cholesterol levels are one of the risk factors for metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome refers to a group of conditions that include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar, and excess belly fat. This syndrome, which is associated with low testosterone levels, can increase your risk of heart disease and diabetes.
Researchers investigated the relationship between testosterone therapy and cholesterol as part of the study, which was published in the International Journal of Clinical Practice. The study included 255 men with low testosterone levels and symptoms of low T. At the start of the study, all of the participants had high triglyceride levels, and approximately 22% had low HDL cholesterol levels. The first group was given testosterone replacement therapy, while the second was given a placebo.
Those in the TRT group saw a significant decrease in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides over the course of the five-year study. In addition, the testosterone replacement group saw a slight increase in HDL cholesterol levels.
The researchers did note that other studies have found that after starting low testosterone treatment, both LDL and HDL cholesterol levels decreased. They did, however, point out that the majority of those studies used higher doses of testosterone than was required to bring hormone levels into healthy ranges. The researchers in this study brought average testosterone levels to the middle of a healthy range for testosterone levels. As a result, the researchers hypothesized that this could be one of the reasons for the disparity between their study and previous studies.
Another Study on the Relationship Between Testosterone and Cholesterol
Another study, published in 2017, looked at the effect of testosterone on cardiovascular disease risk factors such as cholesterol. This study looked at 788 men who had low testosterone levels in the past. They were divided into two groups: TRT and placebo. After one year, the testosterone replacement group's lipid levels improved. Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides were lower in the testosterone group. As a result, this study suggests a link between testosterone and cholesterol.
Related Article: Sleep Apnea and Low Testosterone?
Final Thought
Researchers have yet to provide a conclusive answer regarding testosterone and cholesterol. It's critical to recognize that there could be a link. If you decide to use testosterone therapy, make sure you weigh all of the pros and cons.
Follow your doctor's recommendations for a heart-healthy lifestyle, and take any medications as prescribed. This can help you maintain control of your cholesterol, blood pressure, and other manageable risk factors.
The effects of testosterone supplements on cholesterol have not been established. A healthy cholesterol-lowering lifestyle is always recommended, but it may be especially important when taking testosterone.
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