Understanding Testosterone: Levels, Effects, and Treatment Options

- April 03, 2023

Testosterone Levels in Men and Women: Symptoms, Testing, and Treatment…..

Introduction

Testosterone is a hormone found in humans, as well as in other animals. In men, the testicles primarily make testosterone. Women’s ovaries also make testosterone, though in much smaller amounts. The production of testosterone starts to increase significantly during puberty and begins to dip after age 30 or so.

Symptoms of Low Testosterone

Low levels of testosterone, also called low T levels, can produce a variety of symptoms in men, including decreased sex drive, less energy, weight gain, feelings of depression, moodiness, low self-esteem, less body hair, and thinner bones. While testosterone production naturally tapers off as a man ages, other factors can cause hormone levels to drop. Injury to the testicles and cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation can negatively affect testosterone production. Chronic health conditions and stress can also reduce testosterone production.

Low T Levels Women

Testosterone levels decline steadily in adult women; however, low T levels can also produce a variety of symptoms, including low libido, reduced bone strength, poor concentration, and depression. Low T levels in women can be caused by removal of the ovaries as well as diseases of the pituitary, hypothalamus, or adrenal glands. Testosterone therapy may be prescribed for women with low T levels, however, the treatment’s effectiveness on improving sexual function or cognitive function among postmenopausal women is unclear.

Testing Testosterone

A simple blood test can determine testosterone levels. There’s a wide range of normal or healthy levels of testosterone circulating in the bloodstream. Normal male testosterone levels range between 280 and 1,100 nanograms per decilitre (ng/dL) for adult males, and between 15 and 70 ng/dL for adult females, according to the University of Rochester Medical Center. Ranges can vary among different labs, so it’s important to speak with your doctor about your results.

Causes of Abnormally High Testosterone

Moderately elevated testosterone levels in men may produce few noticeable symptoms. Boys with higher levels of testosterone may begin puberty earlier. Women with high testosterone may develop masculine features. Abnormally high levels of testosterone could be the result of an adrenal gland disorder, or even cancer of the testes. High testosterone levels may also occur in less serious conditions. For example, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, which can affect males and females, is a rare but natural cause for elevated testosterone production.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy

Reduced testosterone production, a condition known as hypogonadism, doesn’t always require treatment. You may be a candidate for testosterone replacement therapy if low T is interfering with your health and quality of life. Artificial testosterone can be administered orally, through injections, or with gels or skin patches. Replacement therapy may produce desired results, such as greater muscle mass and a stronger sex drive. But the treatment does carry some side effects, including oily skin, fluid retention, testicles shrinking, and decrease in sperm production. Some studies have found no greater risk of prostate cancer with testosterone replacement therapy, but it continues to be a topic of ongoing research.

Conclusion

Testosterone is most commonly associated with sex drive in men. It also affects mental health, bone and muscle mass, fat storage, and red blood cell production. Abnormally low or high levels can affect a man’s mental and physical health. Your doctor can check your testosterone levels with a simple blood test. Testosterone therapy is available to treat men with low levels of testosterone. If you have low T, ask your doctor if this type of therapy might benefit you.

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