Testosterone and Various Skin Issues

[mrmagoo2010]

I have a question, does low testosterone affect skin? I have reddish nose, dry flaky skin on nose and broken blood vessels on cheek. I hear that super high levels of test gives you spots, but can low give you bad skin? I have heard conflicting reports from this

[PeakT]

I don't know of anything that would cause what you are describing. 

There are a couple of links between low T and skin though:

1.  Lower T leads to higher insulin and a loss of blood sugar control.  Theoretically, this could lead to more damage and worse skin through accelerated glycation aging.

2.  Lower T is often associated with low levels of estradiol and estradiol is connected to collagen production:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18794456
"Induction of collagen by estradiol: difference between sun-protected and photodamaged human skin in vivo."

But I don't know of any direct studies that show poor skin related to low androgens...

[bubba29]

i believe has been mentioned that a low fat diet and low cholesterol correlate with lower testosterone.

there is something in our skin called sebum that helps keep it moist.

Sebum is composed of lipids, or fats. Lipids don't dissolve in water, which is how sebum is able to create a barrier that traps some water in the skin and keeps other water out

Sebum contains a variety of different lipids, including cholesterol, glycerides, fatty acids, squalene, and wax and cholesterol esters, but the exact composition of sebum varies with a person's age.

http://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/information/anatomy/sebum2.htm

Sebum production is under the control of sex hormones (androgens). The most active androgens are testosterone, 5-testosterone (DHT) and 5-androstene-317diol. These hormones and others are made by the sex glands (ovary in females, testis in males) and by the adrenal gland. Sebum production is under the control of sex hormones (androgens). The most active androgens are testosterone, 5-testosterone (DHT) and 5-androstene-317diol. These hormones and others are made by the sex glands (ovary in females, testis in males) and by the adrenal gland.

http://dermnetnz.org/acne/sebum.html

so yes, there appears to definitely be a relationship there.  low sebum is problem with dry skin but excess sebum has been the blame for acne.  it is probably a fine juggling act with tweeking your diet and cholesterol levels to optimize testosterone and help your dry skin.

[PeakT]

i believe has been mentioned that a low fat diet and low cholesterol correlate with lower testosterone.

The only study on it shows no drop in testosterone and a 50% reduction in estradiol.  My guess is that guys who do not eat a bunch of supplemental protein on a Low Fat Diet would experience no drop depending on how they were eating before.

See #2:

http://www.peaktestosterone.com/Testosterone_Estrogen_Ratio

Great point about the skin, as acne is an occasional reported side effect of HRT.  Again, that doesn't seem to be what he is describing but good point...