2475 Mercer Avenue, Suite 101
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Get FREE Consultation
Contacts

Testosterone Therapy and High Blood Pressure

Written by Author - Authors Medical experts of the National HRT Clinic - August 2, 2016

Blood Pressure and Testosterone

High blood pressure is a serious medical concern. Hypertension, as it is also called, can result in dangerous blood vessel diseases including heart attacks and strokes. Some people experience severe leg pain while walking. By the time symptoms of hypertension are noticed, the damage has already been done to the body. Men with high blood pressure are at a 1.8 percent increased risk of also having Low testosterone levels. Ongoing research into Low T, testosterone therapy, and high blood pressure are currently underway.

In this report, we will answer some important questions, including does testosterone replacement therapy cause high blood pressure and if treatment with supplemental testosterone is safe to use if you have been diagnosed with hypertension. The more information you have about this subject, the better able you will be to make an educated decision as to whether or not Testosterone treatment is right for you.

Many people have reported excellent results from testosterone replacement therapy and high blood pressure stabilization. In fact, if Low T is the diagnosis that the hormone specialist determines, treatment with testosterone therapy will go much further than helping lower blood pressure, it will also reduce the risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome – a condition where being overweight having hypertension, raised cholesterol, and potential insulin resistance or diabetes is present.

Can You Use Testosterone Therapy if You Have High Blood Pressure?

Before discussing if you can use testosterone therapy, high blood pressure needs to be verified. Some experts recommend checking your blood pressure away from the doctor’s office. No matter how comfortable you feel with your family physician, the “white coat” stress that occurs in a doctor’s office is commonplace. Many people report raised blood pressure levels when with their provider, but notice the readings are much lower at the neighborhood pharmacy. When at the pharmacy, repeat the test 3 times in a row to verify the answers. Report any discrepancies between these readings and the ones at your last visit to the doctor.

Many people with hypertension receive testosterone therapy without any adverse reactions. The hormone replacement therapy specialist will use great care in the determination of a treatment plan, including dosage and frequency of administration of the testosterone.

Speculation also exists as to can testosterone replacement therapy cause high blood pressure. The risk of this is mostly identified with people who use testosterone when it is not needed by the body and in very high concentrations. We find this mostly with athletes and bodybuilders who believe that using testosterone, even when they do not have low testosterone levels, can help them perform and look better, stronger, and bigger. This is not the case and puts a person at serious risk of adverse reactions.

How to Tell If Your High Blood Pressure Is Linked to Low Testosterone

It is understandable to ask does testosterone therapy cause high blood pressure since many men with one are also diagnosed with the other. Could this be a chicken or egg type of question where no one knows which one came first? The answer here is yes; a consensus has not yet been made on this subject. How do you tell if your high blood pressure is linked to Low T?

The first thing you do is Contact an HRT specialist for a consultation and blood testing. The analysis of testosterone levels is crucial. Even if you are on the lower end of the normal spectrum, you might still be diagnosed with Low T if your symptoms support the need for treatment. People often ask does testosterone replacement therapy cause high blood pressure because they are unsure of the connection. Many men with low testosterone levels will also be diagnosed with hypertension long before their treatment begins.

Low T is linked to the following conditions:

  • Diabetes
  • Insulin resistance
  • Obesity
  • Metabolic syndrome

These concerns also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). High blood pressure frequently accompanies these conditions. If a Low T diagnosis is provided, and any of these other conditions are present, then a link can be made, especially when treatment with testosterone therapy lowers all of these risk factors, including blood pressure.

How to Avoid High Blood Pressure from Testosterone Therapy

Testosterone Therapy

The goal of testosterone therapy is to provide superior results while minimizing the risk of any adverse side effects. We are often asked can testosterone therapy cause high blood pressure by people concerned about these negative factors, such as heart attacks, stroke, blood clots, or high blood pressure. The answer is that an experienced hormone specialist will know how to test for and treat Low T in the safest way possible to minimize these risks.

Testosterone is crucial in the blood because some of it undergoes a conversion into estrogen – a hormone vital for the protection of arteries. Restoration of Normal testosterone levels typically reverses the symptoms associated with Low T, including lowering blood pressure and improving the issues related to metabolic syndrome. This means facilitating weight loss, lowering LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and balancing insulin and glucose levels in the body.

Medically reviewed by   Reviewers National HRT Staff - Updated on November 4, 2024

Please note that the information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

References

  1. Effects of testosterone therapy on BMI, blood pressure, and laboratory profile of transgender men: a systematic review. Velho, Fighera TM Ziegelmann PK, Spritzer PM. Epub 2017 Jul 14.Andrology. 2017 Sep;5(5):881-888.
  2. Ethn Dis. 2006 Summer;16(3):693-8. The influence of testosterone on blood pressure and risk factors for cardiovascular disease in a black South African population. Huisman HW, Schutte AE, Van Rooyen JM, Malan NT, Malan L, Schutte R, Kruger A.Ethn Dis. 2006 Summer;16(3):693-8.
  3. MAYO CLINIC
  4. Effect of testosterone replacement therapy on arterial stiffness in older hypogonadal men in European Journal of Endocrinology Authors: Marianna Yaron, Yona Greenman, Joseph B Rosenfeld, Elena Izkhakov, Rona Limor, Etty Osher, Galina Shenkerman, Karen Tordjman, and Naftali Stern Institute of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Hypertension, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
  5. The Effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy on Blood Pressure in Postmenopausal Women An article, Author, and Disclosure Information Summaries for Patients |21 August 2001
  6. MedicalXpress.
  7. Testosterone replacement therapy and cardiovascular risk factors modification Elie J. Chahla, Mireille El Hayek & John E. Morley Pages 83-90 | Received 09 Sep 2010, Accepted 12 Nov 2010, Published online: 03 May 2011
  8. npr