Though there are connections between low testosterone and several medical conditions, three conditions stand out for their seriousness.
The link between low testosterone and heart disease starts with metabolic syndrome (via Johns Hopkins Medicine). Men with metabolic syndrome typically carry excess weight in their midsections, have insufficient levels of “good” cholesterol, and exhibit higher-than-average blood fasting levels. Together, those traits increase their likelihood of developing heart disease, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Since many of those characteristics are also seen in men with low testosterone, some doctors have concluded that low testosterone is a viable risk factor for future heart disease as well (per Johns Hopkins Medicine).
Meanwhile, a 2021 study published in Biology noted that there seems to be a relationship between reduced testosterone and reduced insulin function. As testosterone goes down, a man’s body may not effectively process sugar. If this problem continues, it can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes. According to statistics from the American Diabetes Association, diabetes is among the top contributors to American adult deaths annually.
The third condition related to a dip in testosterone is osteoporosis. A 2017 study published in the International Journal of Endocrinology explains that since testosterone activates bone growth, its absence can lead to weakened areas of bone. And as bone weakens over time, it becomes more susceptible to breaking and fracturing. Therefore, men whose testosterone levels keep dropping may lose protective bone mass and strength.
