Contributed by – Healthians Team
Testosterone is a hormone secreted by the testicles in males. It aids the formation of male sexual characteristics and also maintains muscle mass and healthy bone density in your body. Healthy testosterone levels develop an optimistic outlook in males coupled with enhancing their sexual drive. Its production begins to decline at the age of thirty. You can determine your testosterone level through a blood test. The test will clearly state whether your testosterone levels are low, high or normal level. In case of a significant drop, you can consider testosterone therapy.
Testosterone levels (ng/dL) in healthy men are given below.
| Age | Total testosterone | Free testosterone |
| 40-49 | 252-916 | 5.3-26.3 |
| 50-59 | 215-878 | 4.2-22.2 |
| 60-69 | 196-859 | 3.7-18.9 |
The hormone is available in the form of an injection, a patch, a gel, a pellet which is placed under the skin and a tablet placed in the cheek until it dissolves. However, this therapy has high cardiovascular risks. It is only for those who suffer from low testosterone due to certain medical ailments. Conditions such as disorders in the testicles or problems associated with the pituitary gland might lead to low testosterone levels in men. Dropped testosterone levels occur due to ageing and which does not always mean that something is wrong with you.
The testosterone hormone therapy shouldn’t be used in the case of normal ageing. It increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. A study conducted in 2018 found that less testosterone is linked with heart problems in males. Another study found a link between low testosterone level and heart problems. Men who took testosterone were more prone to have heart attacks and strokes.
It is suggested that if you are a male who is taking the testosterone therapy then you should report any of the following symptoms to your doctor. If required, then you should seek quick medical attention. The signs include –
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Troubled breathing
- Weakness in one part or on one side of the body
- Slurred speech
The above symptoms might be signs of a heart attack. Other risks include a disorder called sleep apnea. It is another ailment that affects cardiovascular health. Sleep apnea is a condition in which you temporarily stop breathing many times while you are asleep. This condition can increase your blood pressure raising the risk of a stroke. It is also linked with an advanced risk of heart valve disease and heart rhythms called arrhythmias.
Testosterone therapy might raise your cholesterol levels which increases its accumulation in the arteries supplying blood to your heart eventually causing a heart attack. Other grave side effects include oily skin, fluid retention and a decrease in the size of your testicles. This therapy can also affect your natural testosterone production if your hormone levels are normal.
The first study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in November 2013. The study included a large group of men in the Veterans Health Administration System. They were all around sixty years of age and many of them suffered from some or the other heart disease. The study concluded that men who were treated with testosterone therapy were 30% more prone to a heart attack or stroke than those who were not getting testosterone therapy.
Another study reported that senior men had double the risk of a heart attack during the first 90 days after they took the testosterone drug. In the case of younger men with a history of heart disease, the chances of having a heart attack increased exponentially after starting the testosterone drug. Researchers continue to explore the risks associated with testosterone therapy. Meanwhile, it is advisable to have a thorough discussion with your doctor about what testosterone therapy can and can’t do.
