Cholesterol's relationship with Testosterone

[Motiv8ed]

I just read that Cholesterol is converted to Testosterone in one of two ways. I found the following 2 pathways:

Cholesterol > pregnenolone > progesterone > androstenedione > Testosterone

Cholesterol > pregnenolone > DHEA > androstenediol > Testosterone

Article link: Cholesterol and Testosterone

This is new info to me and has me thinking to myself, "What the fuk?"

How does this figure in to our HRT?

We've all been told for decades that cholesterol is bad and to keep it low (except for the "good" cholesterol). Does low cholesterol then lead to low Test? Is this why test levels in men have dropped in recent decades...because we're all keeping our cholesterol low?

Is there any correlation at all between cholesterol and test levels, or is the amount of cholesterol required for conversion so minute that it's inconsequential?

Am I completely nuts or did I just get the wool pulled over my eyes?

Please enlighten me on this subject.

 

[Zeek]

I don't know enough to even begin to tackle this question, definitely looking forward to the answers!

I will say that the cholesterol numbers don't seem to be as important as the particle sizes of said cholesterol. It appears you can have decent numbers and still be at very high risk for clogged arteries due to the size of the particles.

The new tests offered now look for this

 

[tanuki]

Look at vegans and vegetarians that don't eat enough saturated fat

 

[dfeaton]

I just read that Cholesterol is converted to Testosterone in one of two ways. I found the following 2 pathways:

Cholesterol > pregnenolone > progesterone > androstenedione > Testosterone

Cholesterol > pregnenolone > DHEA > androstenediol > Testosterone

Article link: Cholesterol and Testosterone

This is new info to me and has me thinking to myself, "What the fuk?"

How does this figure in to our HRT?

We've all been told for decades that cholesterol is bad and to keep it low (except for the "good" cholesterol). Does low cholesterol then lead to low Test? Is this why test levels in men have dropped in recent decades...because we're all keeping our cholesterol low?

Is there any correlation at all between cholesterol and test levels, or is the amount of cholesterol required for conversion so minute that it's inconsequential?

Am I completely nuts or did I just get the wool pulled over my eyes?

Please enlighten me on this subject.

Actually cholesterol is the precursor to alot of hormones Male & Female. It is also very important in essential body funtions.

I'm sure others will chime in on this.

Also there is research that shows that the problem with cholesterol is that there is already damage/scarring of the arteries that causes the deposit of cholesterol plaque in the arteries. So, the actual problem may begin with the scarring not the cholesterol itself.

I'm not sure about the relationship between high test & high cholesterol.


Cheated & stole this from Wikipedia

Cholesterol is a waxy steroid of fat that is produced in the liver or intestines. It is used to produce hormones and cell membranes and is transported in the blood plasma of all mammals.[2] It is an essential structural component of mammalian cell membranes and is required to establish proper membrane permeability and fluidity. In addition, cholesterol is an important component for the manufacture of bile acids, steroid hormones, and vitamin D. Cholesterol is the principal sterol synthesized by animals; however, small quantities can be synthesized in other eukaryotes such as plants and fungi. It is almost completely absent among prokaryotes including bacteria.[3] Although cholesterol is important and necessary for mammals, high levels of cholesterol in the blood have been linked to damage to arteries and are potentially linked to diseases such as those associated with the cardiovascular system (heart disease).[4]

 

[Misc]

cholesterol is the building block of ALL hormones in our bodies. this is said in the book testosterone for life.

 

[cjw2021]

Yep. It is the mother hormone. That's why it is a good idea to get a lipid panel. Sure hormones are locally synthesized in adrenal glands but they still require cholesterol. Saturated fat is good, the rest of the fats are not that good. Red meat is great.