Can testosterone levels be too high?

Can testosterone levels be too high?

4 min read

|

29 Jun 2023

Grab your cheat sheet.

  1. What is testosterone?
  2. Signs of high testosterone levels.
  3. What makes testosterone levels high?

As they get older, one of the major concerns amongst men is the decreasing amount of testosterone in their bodies. They read about the many symptoms that can occur when there’s not enough of the hormone in their system. It’s natural to worry that this might happen to them, and quite rightly, as it’s rare that someone will suffer zero issues when testosterone levels drop. 

It’s also rare to hear someone worrying that their testosterone levels are too high, as the problems resulting from this are rarely discussed. This is unfortunate because high testosterone in men can be as problematic as insufficient levels. 

A recent study suggests that up to 40 percent of adult men and 20 percent of men under 40 are testosterone deficient and that having too much is unusual but not unheard of—the health risks associated with high levels of the hormone need to be addressed.

What is testosterone?

Testosterone helps perform many bodily functions, from muscle-building to sexual performance and helps regulate our energy and mood. It is produced in the testes in men and women; it originates in the ovaries. 

Testosterone increases during puberty and declines gradually once we reach our 30s. During our twenties, we tend to get used to having testosterone in our bodies, which manages to balance us out, so when it starts to decrease when we hit our thirties, several symptoms rear their heads. 

But it works both ways. Some people have too much testosterone in their system for various reasons, which can cause issues.

Signs of high testosterone levels

Having a high hormone level may be rare, but that doesn’t mean you don’t fall into the category.  It’s important to look out for key symptoms which might indicate that your levels are too high and if you feel you might be at risk. There are several signs to look out for; some are more obvious than others. 

Aggressive behavior and mood changes

Too much testosterone can lead to irritable or aggressive behavior in men and cause significant disruption in mood.

So much so that it’s coined the phrase “roid rage”.

Bad skin health

A decline in skin health can also be expected, with boils, acne and rashes in plentiful supply. Too much testosterone can increase an oily substance called sebum which can cause clogged pores and acne.  

Insomnia

Too much testosterone can also cause sleep disruptions, adding to mood swings. More studies are needed to confirm exactly why, but it’s thought to affect the circadian rhythm.   

Low sperm count

You might expect that with too much testosterone in the system, your sperm count would increase, but it has the opposite effect. Too much of the hormone will see decreased production and even shrunken testicles.

Cholesterol

High testosterone can also raise your cholesterol so it’s essential to keep the balance right. It can also lead to lower "good" cholesterol levels in healthy men between the ages of 20 and 50. 

Hair loss

Some people with high testosterone experience androgenetic alopecia (hair loss) and for those whose genetic makeup if predisposed to baldness, the process of losing your hair can accelerate. 

What makes testosterone high?  

Sometimes, excess testosterone can be a natural occurrence and can result from your genetic makeup. All of us are different; some men have bodies that are simply made to produce more testosterone than others. 

While some might see this as a plus, it doesn’t come without its health risks and men who fall into this category can often fall into the high-risk category when it comes to issues such as heart disease, cholesterol, or other cardio issues. 

Adrenal tumors can also cause high testosterone, whether malignant or benign. One of the biggest causes of high testosterone is anabolic steroid abuse. Steroids are used (illegally) by some athletes to enhance athletic performance. 

One of the most common causes of excess testosterone is testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). It can often leave you with more of the hormone in your system than you. Two of the many side effects of TRT can often be shrunken testicles and “man boobs”. This is due to the fact that excess testosterone is sometimes converted into estrogen (a female hormone). It can also cause major mood swings. Needless to say, TRT should only be considered as a last resort.

trt

Testosterone gel is often a cause, even if you have accidentally come into contact with someone who is using testosterone supplementation prescribed by a physician, can sometimes cause high testosterone. Still, it’s generally to help to balance your levels out. It’s more likely to increase if someone purchases it illegally and supplements deliberately to push testosterone levels higher.

Abnormally high testosterone levels are also known as hypogonadism. 

If you feel your levels are high, you must get your levels tested by a doctor. Your testosterone levels are considered too high if your total is above 950 ng/dL. 

Taking Testoprime won’t raise your testosterone levels too high, but it’s worth checking your levels before taking it to ensure you don’t already have too much in your system.