Signs You Have High Testosterone
Testosterone is commonly considered a male sex hormone, but it plays a vital role in both male and female bodies. However, elevated testosterone levels can disrupt your hormonal balance and cause a range of unpleasant symptoms, from changes in mood and excessive body hair to acne.
Fortunately, a simple male testosterone blood test can help measure your levels and provide insights into whether you have excessive testosterone. A doctor can help you determine the cause so you can seek appropriate treatment.
Below, we share some of the main signs of high testosterone in males and some of the things you can do to address the imbalance and ensure healthy hormone levels.
What is testosterone?
Testosterone is an essential sex hormone perhaps best known for stimulating puberty and the development of secondary sexual characteristics, such as body hair growth and sperm production in males. However, it is also important for maintaining bone and muscle mass and storing and metabolising body fat.
Although testosterone is often associated with males, it is a vital body hormone for optimal health and growth in both men and women.
How do you tell if you have high testosterone?
If you have high testosterone levels, you may experience a range of symptoms, from excessive hair growth to acne. However, high testosterone symptoms can differ depending on whether you are male or female.
Symptoms of high testosterone in males
Common high testosterone symptoms in men include:
- Excessive body hair
- Acne
- High blood pressure
- Headaches
- Heart or liver problems
- Swelling of the legs and feet
- Enlarged prostate
- Difficulty urinating
- Insomnia
- Increased appetite
- Weight gain
- Infertility
- Low sperm count
- High sex drive
- Changes in mood
- Increased incidence of risk-taking behaviours
Ways to maintain healthy levels of testosterone
There are many ways to naturally maintain healthy levels of testosterone and prevent the effects of high testosterone. This can include:
- Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet – following a healthy diet that includes plenty of dark leafy greens, nuts, legumes and shellfish can help regulate your testosterone level.
- Prioritising sleep – Try to aim for at least eight hours of solid sleep each night to maintain optimum health.
- Managing stress – Try to reduce your stress levels by trying activities like yoga and meditation.
- Get enough sunlight – Try to spend 10 minutes outside each day. Exercise regularly – Exercising can improve your heart’s function and help regulate your hormone levels, so try to do cardio exercise, resistance training and strength building every week.
How to lower excessive testosterone
As well as following the above advice to maintain healthy testosterone levels naturally, there are numerous possible treatments for lowering excessive testosterone levels. These treatments can vary depending on the underlying cause and whether you are male or female.
In men
The treatment of elevated testosterone levels in men can include:
- Treating the symptoms of high testosterone levels – this can include shaving excessive hair or using facial cleansers to help alleviate acne.
- Stopping external causes of testosterone levels - some medications and anabolic steroids are known to cause high testosterone levels, so you may be encouraged to stop taking them if this is the probable cause.
- Discussing testosterone treatment – if you are taking testosterone supplements because of previously low levels, your doctor may wish to discuss reducing your dosage with your doctor.
- Removing/ treating a tumour - in some rare cases, a tumour can be the cause of high testosterone levels. In this case, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove it or other treatment options, like chemotherapy, if it is also cancerous.
- Taking medication to help reduce testosterone levels in those with underlying conditions – some medications can help lower testosterone levels. These can include steroid synthesis inhibitors used to treat Cushing’s disease, alpha-reductase inhibitors used to treat an enlarged prostate and gonadotropin-releasing hormone used in the treatment of prostate cancer.
Private health checks for complete peace of mind
If you are concerned about your testosterone levels, a male private testosterone blood test could offer peace of mind. At Bluecrest Wellness, our testosterone blood test can be added to one of our full-body health assessment packages to provide comprehensive insights into your testosterone levels and general wellbeing.
Our health MOTS include a range of key blood tests and important metrics, such as your blood pressure, weight, and cholesterol levels, as well as insights into your risk of common medical conditions like diabetes. This ensures you get a more comprehensive picture of your overall health.
Our tests are conducted by trained Health Assessment Specialists at over 350 venues across the UK and Ireland, ensuring accurate professional health checks within 20 minutes of your home.
What’s more, we provide you with a comprehensive Results Report and free access to a 24/7 GP helpline for a year, giving you complete peace of mind following your health assessment.
