Impact of testosterone levels and testosterone replacement ther-apy on men’s health

Abstract

Various studies have shown that testosterone levels heavily impact many areas of a man’s health. Low serum testosterone (and, by analogy, late onset hypogonadism) may be responsible for such conditions as type 2 diabetes, obesity in abdominal area, and most of all, heightened cardiovascular risk (CV). Among other outcomes researchers have pointed out metabolic syndrome and dyslipidemia, as well as increased risk of anxiety disorders and major depressive disorder. There have also been reports of testosterone’s influence on fertility, bone mineral density and the development of polycythemia. All of these effects can be linked to the increased levels of inflammatory markers caused by low testosterone and lead to higher risk of premature death. Overly high testosterone, however, has been proven to have a notable influence on men’s personality, as well as other psychological and social traits, both in endogenously elevated testosterone level, and in patients with history of anabolic- androgenic steroid use. The last decade’s research of testosterone’s impact on the organism has brought contradictory results. Therefore, examination and understanding of the influence of its abnormal levels proves important to not only guarantee the best quality of hypogonadism treatment, but also to efficiently prevent any side effects or complications associated with testosterone use.