Testosterone – Male
Testosterone is the primary sex hormone for males. In humans, testosterone plays an important role in the development of male reproductive tissues such as the testes and prostate. Additionally, it promotes secondary sexual characteristics such as increased bone and muscle development and body hair growth. The normal testosterone level ranges from 280–1,100 ng/dL.
Testosterone – Female
In women, the female sex hormone, estrogen, combines with testosterone and plays a vital role in many processes such as growth, maintenance, repair of women’s reproductive tissue, bone mass, and behavior. The women’s testosterone level ranges from 15 to 70 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) of blood.
Women testosterone levels
| Woman’s age(in years) | Normal testosterone level(ng/dL) |
| 10-11 | <7-44 |
| 12-16 | <7-75 |
| 17-18 | 20-75 |
| 19+ | 8-60 |
High testosterone level symptoms
- Thinning hair
- Mood swings
- Enlarged clitoris
- Increased muscle mass
- Reduction in breast size
- Loss of sex drive
- Deepening of voice
- Acne
- Irregular periods
- Excess facial hairs on the chest, back, and other parts of the body
In severe cases it also causes
- Obesity
- Infertility
Female testosterone causes
Excess testosterone in women causes various conditions that can cause,
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Hirsutism
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH)
- Thyroid problems
Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS is a hormonal disorder that has an excess of androgen hormones in women. The symptoms of PCOS are,
- Excess facial hair, body hair, chest, abdomen, back, hips, chin, or above the lips
- Irregular periods
- Obesity
- Acne
- Hair loss
- miscarriage
These are some of the symptoms, it is better to consult a doctor if you feel any of the above symptoms.
Around the world, five to ten percent of women between the ages of 15 and 44 have this problem, although it’s typically discovered when a woman visits a doctor about difficulties getting pregnant. Although it can be treated, it takes time.
Hirsutism
This is the hormonal condition that causes excess hair growth. This is primarily caused by the imbalance of androgen hormones.
If your mother, sister, or another female relative also has it, you may be more likely to have this hair growth as it tends to run in families. Women with heritage from the Middle East, South Asia, and the Mediterranean region are also more likely to have the condition.
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH)
The condition directly affects the adrenal glands and hormone production. In most cases, it overproduces androgen.
Types of CAH
1. Classical CAH
According to the National Adrenal Diseases Foundation, around 95% of all CAH patients, are classified as classical CAH. Infants and small children are the most commonly affected. Symptoms are, being tall beyond your age, deep voice, and early growth of pubic hair or armpit.
2. Non-classical CAH
A milder form of CAH called non-classical or late-onset affects older kids and young adults. In late-onset CAH, testosterone levels are also lower.
Thyroid problems
The thyroid is related to many functions in the body, such as metabolism and the production of hormones in the body. Various studies confirm that hypothyroidism and testosterone level has an indirect link.
The production of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), essential for maintaining the balance of sex hormones in a person’s blood, can decrease as a result of hypothyroidism. If SHBG levels drop too low, testosterone levels may rise.
