Tennessee Men’s Clinic Throws Light on the Effects of Hormone Depletion on Men’s Health

Tennessee Men’s Clinic informs men’s health surrounds phases of health most significant to men. It includes testosterone, the testes, sperm quality and spermatogenesis, and the prostate. There is a close relationship between testosterone and men’s health. It is found that decreased testosterone level dangerously affects quality of life and can cause long-term illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, and obesity.

The role of testosterone in Men’s Health

Testosterone plays a vital role in men’s health. It helps to form a masculine body during the phase of sexual differentiation and sexual function during puberty. It supports the development of sexual function after puberty begins and maintains spermatogenesis.

It is also essential for various body’s metabolic activities such as:

• protein synthesis

• liver function

• production of blood cells in the bone marrow

• bone formation

• fat and sugar metabolism

• prostate enlargement

Effects of low testosterone on Men’s Health

With age, the level of testosterone in the blood decreases slowly. This is a part of the aging process, also known as andropause. For many men, the condition may not cause much harm or cause any serious symptoms. However, there are also many causes where their body begins to have natural changes in health. Such changes include reduced physical activity, nervous system impairment, and psychological and emotional changes. Frequent body aches, common body exhaustion, and a decrease in strength and muscle mass are all caused due to falling testosterone levels. In addition, decreased testosterone level also dangerously affects quality of life and causes different illnesses for men.

The link between low Testosterone and Diabetes

Men with diabetes are more likely to have low testosterone. In contrast, men with low testosterone levels have a higher risk of developing diabetes later in life. Testosterone helps the body’s tissue absorb more blood sugar in response to insulin. Men with low testosterone usually experience insulin resistance as a result they need to produce more insulin to keep blood sugar levels normal, mentions Tennessee Men’s Clinic.

The link between low testosterone and obesity

Obesity and the drop in testosterone levels are closely related, causing men to fall into a spiral of weight gain and hormonal fluctuations. Fat cells convert testosterone into estrogen, which lowers testosterone levels. Moreover, obesity decreases the level of sex hormone-binding globulin, a protein that carries testosterone in the blood. Less sex hormone-binding globulin means less free testosterone than normal. To improve this condition, losing weight through proper exercise can increase testosterone levels in the body.

Metabolic Syndrome and low Testosterone

Metabolic syndrome is the name of a condition that includes the existence of abnormal cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, obesity around the waist, and high blood sugar. These conditions increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Studies show people with low testosterone are more likely to develop metabolic Syndrome. In metabolic syndrome, adipose tissue is the endocrine organ that produces most of the hormones and cytokines. Here the visceral fat has strong pressure on androgen receptors and fatty acids, so androgen receptors are deposited in fat. Testosterone replacement therapy may help improve blood sugar and obesity in men with low testosterone.

Heart Disease and low Testosterone

Testosterone has a mixed effect on the arteries. Many researchers say testosterone contributes to increased rates of heart disease and high blood pressure tends to affect men at younger age. High testosterone levels can be bad for the heart. However, testosterone deficiency has been related to insulin resistance, obesity, and diabetes. This can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Men with diabetes and low testosterone also have higher chances of hardening of the arteries, states Tennessee Men’s Clinic.

For maintaining overall health and well-being of an individual, testosterone is an extremely vital hormone.  Testosterone plays a crucial role in promoting the development of sexual male characteristics, improving libido, and combating bone disorders. Thus, as testosterone is required for so many bodily functions it is considered as a general promoter of overall health.