low testosterone = high cholesterol

[txnhb]

could anyone point me in the right direction to find a study showing the link between these two?

[zaggahamma]

can u show me a link showing a link between low T and low cholesterol?

[txnhb]

well here's a link showing something but i wonder if it's the other way around

http://www.drmirkin.com/men/1008.html

[txnhb]

This was taken from the "mens hormonal health" website:
Here's a recent study.

Atherosclerosis. 2008 Apr;197(2):688-93. Epub 2007 Jun 22.

Endogenous Testosterone and Serum Lipids in Middle Aged Men. Mäkinen JI, Perheentupa A, Irjala K, Pöllänen P, Mäkinen J, Huhtaniemi I, Raitakari OT.

Department of Clinical Physiology, University of Turku, FIN-20520 Turku, Finland. [email protected]

BACKGROUND: The role of decreasing testosterone levels influencing lipid metabolism in aging men is not well established. METHODS: We studied 1619 40 to 69-year old men with andropausal symptoms, who underwent measurements of serum testosterone, triglycerides, total-, and HDL-cholesterol. RESULTS: Testosterone (mean 15.25 nmol/l+/-5.43 S.D., range 3.6-45.0 nmol/l) correlated directly with HDL-cholesterol (r=0.24, p<0.0001) and inversely with total cholesterol (r=-0.06, p<0.03), triglycerides (r=-0.30, p<0.0001) and body mass index (r=-0.34, p<0.0001), but not with LDL-cholesterol (r=0.05, p=0.09). In multivariate analyses adjusted for age, body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, the significant determinants for serum triglycerides were testosterone (beta=-0.03, p<0.0001), age (beta=-0.01, p<0.0001), body mass index (beta=0.039, p<0.0001) and cardiovascular diseases (beta=0.09, p<0.04). The multivariate correlates of HDL-cholesterol included testosterone (beta=0.007, p<0.0001), body mass index (beta=-0.02, p<0.0001) and alcohol consumption (beta=0.02, p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that in aging men low testosterone levels are associated with a potentially atherogenic lipid profile including high triglycerides and low HDL-cholesterol.

As shown by the study, low male hormones can cause high triglycerides and poor cholesterol profiles. Bringing yourself to the top of the range should fix the problem.

[txnhb]

The same website has high LDL and low HDL listed as signs and symptoms of low testosterone

[jimmyinkedup]

I believe it has more to do with e2 levels than test levels.

[zaggahamma]

i do believe/have read that low t and/or high e or both has increased risk of disease

cholesterol usually helps testosterone levels from what i've read as well

[jimmyinkedup]

^^ right - its the mother of the test chain.
cholesterol - preg - dhea - andro - test

I cant speak to trt scenarios etc but on a cycle e2 helps lipid values - progesterone trashes lipid values. Its why test can have a poitive impact on cholesterol , deca somewhat negative , and tren can be disaterous to them.

[txnhb]

perhaps the body compensates by producing more cholesterol in low test levels?

[Brohim]

T is produced by Chol soyYour body produces excess chol. because it detect's low T.

[Brickhouse]

This is very interesting as I have low T and my Chol is 9.7......I am 37 years old and weigh 212lbs.

[zaggahamma]

what does Chol is 9.7 mean and /or the significance of your weight

[txnhb]

This is very interesting as I have low T and my Chol is 9.7......I am 37 years old and weigh 212lbs.

Do you have low testosterone?

[Brickhouse]

I do have low testosterone. The average for a guy my height (6ft) and weight should be around 3.7-4.9....... 6 is considered high, 8 is considered very high and is looked at as stroke territory, 9-10 is considered as heart failure. The Dr could not believe I have such a high chol' and am still able to perform normal daily tasks, although I do get very out of breath quickly these days.

[zaggahamma]

so cholesterol health considers height wow u learn something new every day well at least i didnt know that

[powerlifterty16]

bump

[austinite]

^ Did you have a question, pw?

[FRDave]

My test levels were in the mid 200's before TRT and my LDL cholesterol was great. If anything I would think you would have low test if your cholesterol levels were low as cholesterol is the parent hormone.

[powerlifterty16]

^ Did you have a question, pw?

this topic always concerns me, and just wanted more discussion about it since it's old

[austinite]

this topic always concerns me, and just wanted more discussion about it since it's old

Cool. Click "like" on this post, please

[powerlifterty16]

what lol

[Metalject]

It's pretty common for men with low testosterone to have high cholesterol and it's pretty common for men on TRT to see their cholesterol improve. That's really not all that surprising when you think about it. Men who have low testosterone statistically have a much greater chance for heart disease. Men with optimal testosterone do not. Obviously optimal testosterone levels doesn't cure these issues, but generally you are healthier.

As far as testosterone affecting cholesterol, the main affect it can have is lowering HDL cholesterol. Studies have shown that TRT and supraphysiological doses of testosterone can reduce HDL by 20-25% in some men. However, a lot of healthy fats in your diet and limited simple sugars and you shouldn't have this issue.

And there you go.

[EverettCD]

My test levels were in the mid 200's before TRT and my LDL cholesterol was great. If anything I would think you would have low test if your cholesterol levels were low as cholesterol is the parent hormone.

Cool diagram you attached Dave, that makes it simple to understand.


I would have clicked the "Like" but I'll give powerlifty first crack at it.

[EverettCD]

Cool. Click "like" on this post, please

I didn't want you to feel left out so I clicked it

[austinite]

I didn't want you to feel left out so I clicked it

Awe shucks. Thanks, Pal!

[powerlifterty16]

It's pretty common for men with low testosterone to have high cholesterol and it's pretty common for men on TRT to see their cholesterol improve. That's really not all that surprising when you think about it. Men who have low testosterone statistically have a much greater chance for heart disease. Men with optimal testosterone do not. Obviously optimal testosterone levels doesn't cure these issues, but generally you are healthier.

As far as testosterone affecting cholesterol, the main affect it can have is lowering HDL cholesterol. Studies have shown that TRT and supraphysiological doses of testosterone can reduce HDL by 20-25% in some men. However, a lot of healthy fats in your diet and limited simple sugars and you shouldn't have this issue.

And there you go.

your post has some contradictions...one part you say that trt can improve cholesterol, but then you say it lowers hdl? i am not calling you out just trying to get the truth.

[Metalject]

your post has some contradictions...one part you say that trt can improve cholesterol, but then you say it lowers hdl? i am not calling you out just trying to get the truth.

I said it can lower HDL. I didn't say it would lower HDL.
The prevailing myth is that if you take testosterone you will suffer from high cholesterol or at least greatly increase the odds of high cholesterol. To begin, in order to have high cholesterol you would need an increase in LDL cholesterol, which testosterone does not affect significantly. Of course, a lower HDL can negatively affect your LDL. Yes, I know that sounds confusing but it's not. Eat healthy and take care of yourself and baring some other unrelated issue there is no reason TRT should cause high cholesterol.

[FRDave]

Cool diagram you attached Dave, that makes it simple to understand.

I would have clicked the "Like" but I'll give powerlifty first crack at it.

Lol. You guys crack me up.

[yellowballs]

Yeah I had natty test levels of around 300 and my chol was fine. Just started HRT recently and I am going to keep an eye on my chol, curious to see if it will go up.

I always heard that when taking anti chol you run the risk of low T. Other issues are loss of memory which my non dr. ass links right back to having low T.