Testosterone Abnormalities

Everyone needs the hormone testosterone. In males, testosterone is made in the testicles and helps with muscle and bone mass, sex drive, and sperm production. In females, about half of testosterone is created in the ovaries and adrenal glands. The hormone regulates mood, energy levels, bone strength and sex drive.

Having too little or too much testosterone can lower your quality of life, and it may be a sign of a more serious health condition.

Healthy testosterone levels

For males, testosterone should range between 300 and 1,000 nanograms per deciliter of blood. Having too much testosterone is uncommon, but not having enough is called testosterone deficiency syndrome or low testosterone (low-T). Symptoms of low-T can include:

• Erectile dysfunction
• Feeling very tired
• Less lean muscle mass
• Low sex drive
• Mood changes, including depression
• Thinning of bones

Females should have 15 to 70 nanograms per deciliter. High testosterone is more common in females, and it can be a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), in which cysts grow on the ovaries. Symptoms of PCOS include:

• Acne
• Excess hair growth on the body
• Hair loss or hair thinning
• Infertility
• Irregular, very light or nonexistent periods
• Pelvic pain

Females can also have low testosterone levels, often as a result of menopause, problems in certain endocrine glands or removal of the ovaries.

Risk factors for low or high testosterone

In addition to the conditions mentioned above, certain prescription medications, health conditions or injuries can affect a person’s testosterone levels. Low testosterone may be caused by:

• Chronic diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes, especially when not managed well
• Excess weight (obesity) or extreme weight loss
• Problems with the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and thyroid, which all impact hormone function
• Obstructive sleep apnea or other sleep problems

High testosterone may be caused by:

• Androgen insensitivity syndrome, when a person who is biologically male is resistant to male hormones
• Ovarian tumors
• Testicular tumors

Treatments for testosterone abnormalities

An endocrinologist can perform blood tests to measure your testosterone level and give you an accurate diagnosis. He or she will take into account the cause of the imbalance and any symptoms causing distress before developing a treatment plan. Testosterone replacement therapy can help raise low testosterone levels. Birth control pills can help reduce testosterone and control other symptoms associated with high testosterone, such as irregular periods.

The following lifestyle changes can also help with testosterone production:

• Eating a balanced diet
• Exercising regularly
• Getting seven to nine hours of high-quality sleep
• Getting vitamin D, either through sunlight or supplements
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Reducing stress