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The recognised risk factors associated with testosterone
are the same for all men with testosterone in their
bodies, regardless what sex (male or female) they were
identified at birth.
A male gender identity does not
protect you against the risks of
testosterone.
Testosterone is a potentially dangerous hormone for any
man. The good news is, you can minimise these dangers by
keeping an eye on your health. Like any other man you need
to have regular medical checkups (that include a multiple
analysis blood screen and lipid profile).
The ‘normal’ testosterone range for healthy,
young adult men (identified male at birth) is
considered to be between approximately 8 and 27
nM.1 In comparison, the testosterone range of a
healthy, young adult female is between approximately 0.4 to
1.9 nM.2
When you begin testosterone treatment you will increase
your level of testosterone over ten times. Over time,
testosterone treatment will change your hormonal morphology
to that of a physiological male.
Over years on treatment, your body will adjust gradually
to the new level of testosterone. It won’t happen in
the first year or two. Eventually, your body will function
within the usual male health parameters – including the
usual risk factors.
For health maintenance, it is best to assume that your
risk is no worse than that of any other male of similar age
and health status.
The testosterone hormone –
- reduces HDL (good) cholesterol, increases LDL (bad)
cholesterol and increases triglycerides in the blood
lipid profile. Testosterone (androgen) treatment has an
unfavourable effect on the lipid
profile;3
- redistributes fat toward abdominal obesity, which is
associated with an increased cardiovascular risk;
- can cause weight gain; and
- the most significant risk factor is smoking (further
increases cardiovascular risk).
Risk factors of testosterone for all
men4 include –
- higher cholesterol and associated blood vessel
diseases;
- a higher risk of suffering a heart attack or even a
stroke;
- decreased elastin in the blood vessels leading to an
increased inflexibility of your blood vessel walls;
- an increased chance of developing tumours, blood
clots, heart disease or other serious illnesses;
- potential liver damage for men on oral (by mouth)
testosterone; and
- it is possible that testosterone shortens a man's
life expectancy by about five years (compared to
women).
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