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High Male Testosterone Level |
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Higher levels of testosterone can have significant health benefits for some men, such as being less vulnerable to high blood pressure, heart attacks, frequent colds and obesity. These men are also more likely to rate their health as "good to excellent" rather than "fair to poor". (Studies show self ratings of health correlate highly with physicians' assessments.) On the downside, some - but not all - men with higher levels of testosterone are more likely to engage in behavior that cancels out the beneficial effects of testosterone.
Those with higher levels of testosterone are more inclined to smoke, drink alcohol excessively and indulge in risky behavior that leads to injury. The biggest detriment to health by far is the tendency for high testosterone men to smoke.
In a study published 1997, researchers studied testosterone and health in a sample of 4,393 men between the ages of 32 and 44 who had served in the military between 1965 and 1971. The men were interviewed and medically examined. Testosterone was measured in plasma from blood drawn at 8am. Concentrations ranged from 53 to 1,500 ng/dl with an average of 679. Comparison of men with slightly below average levels of testosterone (400ng/dl) with men with slightly above average levels (800ng/dl) revealed significant differences in health indicators.
Men at the higher level were 45% less likely to have high blood pressure, 72% less likely to have experienced a heart attack, 8% less likely to have 3 or more colds in a year, and 45% less likely to rate their health as fair or poor.
On the other hand, men at higher levels were 25% more likely to report one or more injuries, 32% more likely to imbibe 5 or more drinks in a single day and 151% more likely to smoke.
It is not yet fully understood how testosterone benefits health or leads to behavior detrimental to health. It is clear, however, that men with higher testosterone levels are at higher risk for negative health outcomes. But there are many men with higher testosterone who don't engage in health risk behavior and who do realize testosterone-related health benefits.
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Signs, symptoms & indicators of High Male Testosterone Level:
Recommendations and treatments for High Male Testosterone Level:
KEY | | Strong or generally accepted link |  | | Proven definite or direct link |  | | Very strongly or absolutely counter-indicative |  | | Highly recommended |  | | Reasonably likely to cause problems |
GLOSSARY
Androgen
Any steroid hormone that increases male characteristics.
Deciliter (dL)
0.1 or one tenth of a liter.
Estrogen (Oestrogen)
One of the female sex hormones produced by the ovaries.
Hormones (Hormone)
Chemical substances secreted by a variety of body organs that are carried by the bloodstream and usually influence cells some distance from the source of production. Hormones signal certain enzymes to perform their functions and, in this way, regulate such body functions as blood sugar levels, insulin levels, the menstrual cycle, and growth. These can be prescription, over-the-counter, synthetic or natural agents. Examples include adrenal hormones such as corticosteroids and aldosterone; glucagon, growth hormone, insulin, testosterone, estrogens, progestins, progesterone, DHEA, melatonin, and thyroid hormones such as thyroxine and calcitonin.
Nanogram (ng)
0.000000001 or a billionth of a gram.
Testosterone
The principal male sex hormone that induces and maintains the changes that take place in males at puberty. In men, the testicles continue to produce testosterone throughout life, though there is some decline with age. A naturally occurring androgenic hormone.
Last updated: Jan 03, 2010
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