The causes of adverse changes of testosterone levels in men

ABSTRACT

Introduction

As men age, progressive testosterone deficiency syndrome becomes an increasingly common problem. However, the decreased testosterone levels are not only the result of advanced age.

Areas covered

PubMed search of published data on testosterone, nutritional deficiency, stress, sleep, and obesity. Many factors impact the male HPG axis (the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal), including body weight, calorific and nutritional value of a diet, the amount and quality of sleep, as well as the level of stress. In the case of persons of healthy weight, a below-average calorific value of a diet may decrease the levels of testosterone in men. On the other hand, the same caloric deficiency in obese persons may result in a neutral or positive impact on testosterone levels.

Expert opinion

Many factors, including external, environmental and internal factors, influence testosterone levels. Undoubtedly, nutritional deficiency, and particularly of such nutrients as zinc, magnesium, vitamin D, together with low polyphenols intake, affects the HPG axis. The levels of mental and oxidative stress can also adversely impact the axis. Hence, a diagnosis of the cause of disturbance in testosterone levels depends on many factors and requires a broad range of research, as well as a change of patients’ lifestyle.

KEYWORDS:

• Nutrition
• stress
• obesity
• endocrinology
• testosterone

Article highlights

• Most factors influencing testosterone levels in men are modifiable, such as diet, amount of sleep or stress levels.

• Zinc is a cofactor of LH and FSH enzymes catalyzing the synthesis of trophic hormones of the pituitary. Zinc deficiency correlates with lower testosterone levels.

• The reduction of sleeping time to 5 hours per day during a single examination contributed to reducing testosterone levels by 10–15%. However, the evidence confirming the influence of sleep deprivation or circadian rhythm disorders on testosterone are inconclusive.

• In the case of people with healthy weight, too low calorific value of diet may result in the reduction of testosterone levels in men. This influence was not observed in obese persons.

• Excessive body mass may lead to higher levels of cortisol and affect androgens levels. Hair analysis of people of different body mass showed higher cortisol levels and lower testosterone levels in obese people.

• Long-term effects of treatment of hypogonadism are well-documented and are reported to decrease a risk of prostate cancer, cardiovascular diseases, type II diabetes, prediabetic state, nephropathy or erection disorders.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.