Signs of High Testosterone in Men and Women, High testosterone levels can cause changes in mood, hair growth, etc. A doctor can help you determine the best treatment, which may include medications and lifestyle changes.
Testosterone (T) is an essential sex hormone that is best known for stimulating puberty and the development of secondary sexual characteristics, such as hair growth and sperm production, in people with penises.
Testosterone plays a role in many bodily processes, including the maintenance of bone and muscle mass and the storage and metabolism of body fat.
Testosterone typically occurs at much higher levels in people with penises, but is also present in the bodies of people with vulvas at much lower concentrations. And having balanced T levels is necessary for optimal health and growth, regardless of gender.
What is testosterone?
Testosterone is the main male hormone. Other sex hormones include follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Both men and women have testosterone, but men naturally have higher testosterone levels.
Testosterone production occurs in the testes in men and in the ovaries in women. A precursor of testosterone called dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is produced in the adrenal glands.
Synthetic testosterone is available as a testosterone replacement therapy drug for people with testosterone deficiency. Anabolic steroids, used by some bodybuilders to increase muscle mass and improve athletic performance, are synthetic forms of testosterone. Testosterone levels can be measured with a blood test.
What are normal testosterone levels?
Studies have shown that total testosterone levels in men between the ages of 19 and 39 are between 300 and 1,000 ng/dL. These are considered normal testosterone levels in men. Anything above 1,000 ng/dl total testosterone (30 ng/dl free testosterone) is considered high testosterone in men.
The amount of testosterone you have can vary depending on the time of day. Testosterone levels are generally highest between 8 am and 10 am. On the other hand, a recent illness can cause falsely low testosterone levels. As men age, there is a natural decrease in the amount of testosterone.
Note: Women generally have lower testosterone levels than men. Healthy testosterone levels in women range from 9 to 55 ng/dL.
What are the signs of high testosterone in men?
1. Acne
According to 2016 research, acne can be a sign of high T when there is no other obvious cause, such as excessive sweating from working out.
2. Changes in blood pressure
Changes in blood pressure, including high blood pressure (hypertension) and low blood pressure (low blood pressure), can lead to:
- Dizziness
- Heachache
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Fainting
3. Sexual health
Changes in your sexual health could be a sign of abnormal testosterone levels. This can include:
- Difficulty getting or maintaining an erection, also called erectile dysfunction (ED)
- A reduced desire to have sex
- A lower than normal sperm count
However, erectile dysfunction and decreased sexual desire are signs of low testosterone levels, not high testosterone levels. If you experience any, you may still want to test your testosterone levels.
4. Body hair
You may also notice changes in your head and body hair, including excessive hair growth and early male pattern baldness on your head.
5. Mood
You may also experience mood changes due to high testosterone levels. This may include the onset or worsening of:
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Depression
Other signs of elevated T in people with penises may include:
- Chest pain
- Trouble in breathing
- Confusing or difficult speech
- Essential polycythemia, caused by an overproduction of red blood cells
- Lower levels of HDL (good) cholesterol.
- Heart attack
- Swelling of the hands or legs (peripheral edema)
- Stroke
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
- Sleep apnea or other sleep disorders that make it difficult to breathe during sleep
- Deep vein thrombosis, a blood clot in a vein in the body
- Pulmonary embolism, a blood clot in the lungs
Signs of high testosterone in women
Now let’s move on to the symptoms of high Testosterone levels in people in women:
1. Body hair
You may notice abnormalities in your body hair, such as more growth than normal on your face, chest, and back (hirsutism). You may also experience baldness due to too many hormones called androgens in your body.
2. More muscle
You may notice an increase in muscle mass throughout your body.
3. Irregular periods
You may have irregular periods. For example, going months without having one, having two in one month, or having periods that last longer than usual.
4. Sexual health
Because testosterone can affect sexuality, you may notice changes in your sexual health if you have high testosterone levels, including decreased libido, vaginal dryness, or difficulty getting pregnant.
5. Mood
women may also notice changes in their mood. These may include:
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Depression
Other signs may include:
- Abnormal acne episodes
- clit bigger than usual for you
- Reduction in breast size
- voice becomes deeper than usual
- Having difficulty conceiving (infertility)
- Gain weight without any changes in diet or activity
What happens if your testosterone is too high
Some common health problems that can occur in both men and women include heart problems, infertility, mood disorders, etc.
Below we have discussed some health problems that can arise when testosterone levels are too high:
Cardiovascular problems: High testosterone levels are associated with an increased risk of heart problems, such as high blood pressure and heart disease.
Infertility: In men, too high levels of testosterone can cause decreased sperm production, resulting in fertility problems.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): High testosterone levels are a common factor in the development of PCOS in women. This can lead to many reproductive and metabolic problems.
Mood disorders: In addition to mood swings, high testosterone levels can contribute to the development of mood disorders such as depression and anxiety.
Liver problems: High levels of testosterone can put a strain on the liver, potentially leading to liver function problems.
Sleep Apnea: High testosterone levels can contribute to sleep apnea
Aggressive Behavior: Men and women with excessively high testosterone levels may experience increased aggression and
How to Treat High Testosterone
There are several ways a person can combat high testosterone levels, depending on their biological sex.
How men can reduce excessive testosterone levels
Eliminating any additional sources of testosterone (which may be present in some medications or steroids) is often the first line of defense against abnormally high hormone levels. If a man takes testosterone supplements, for example, he may need to ask his doctor whether these products are safe.
Men may also choose to eat foods linked to lower testosterone levels, such as:
- Soy
- mint
- Vegetable oil
- Flax seed
- Peanuts
- Other foods can also help regulate hormone levels.
How women can reduce excessive testosterone levels
Women may be able to combat high testosterone levels by taking hormonal birth control medications. Some exercises, such as prolonged running or cycling, have been shown to reduce testosterone levels in women. Doctor may also be able to recommend other lifestyle changes that can help combat this problem.
Medications such as steroids, low-dose contraceptives, androgen blockers, or other medications can help reduce testosterone levels in women.
References:
- https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/102/4/1161/2884621
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5015761/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/signs-of-high-testosterone#causes