Normal Testosterone Levels and Symptoms of an Imbalance

Testosterone affects female CD4+ T cells in healthy individuals and autoimmune liver diseases

When a patient of mine decides to stop taking testosterone, it is rarely because of side effects and almost always because it simply isn’t working for her. Unlike with estrogen, for which blood levels are rarely required, testosterone therapy requires being tested to make sure yours is in the right range. Hormonal balance is crucial for women’s health, with testosterone and estrogen playing key roles in reproductive health, bone density, brain function, cardiovascular health, mood, and sexual function.

As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox. The most important thing that I think that I do is I give women the information that they need, either by understanding their history or interpreting their lab results. And giving them the information that they need in order to take back control of their own health.

Professional organizations have not set a target range, but 500 ng/dL falls within the AUA’s normal testosterone range of 450 to 600 ng/dL. Treatment for abnormal testosterone levels will depend on several factors. The correct balance between testosterone and estrogen is crucial for the ovaries to work properly. Too much testosterone in females can lead to a deep voice, larger clitoris, and decrease in breast size. Testosterone, a hormone that acts as a chemical messenger, is important for both males and females. Too much or too little testosterone can lead to unwelcome symptoms and may be related to health conditions that require care. Testosterone is an androgen (male hormone) present in both male and female bodies.

More-sensitive tests of testosterone for weightlifting (https://bigteam.es) levels exist but are not widely available. Men have heard about testosterone their whole lives, but women might not have stopped to consider testosterone’s role in their bodies. While testosterone is the main reproductive hormone in males, it is also made by women, though in much smaller quantities.

Similarly, Miller66 reported that although low testosterone in women may not significantly alter fat mass, it can affect skeletal muscle dynamics. Despite lower concentrations than in men, testosterone plays a crucial role in women’s musculoskeletal health, cognitive function, and cardiovascular well-being54. Women naturally secrete higher total amounts of androgens compared to estrogens, with testosterone being a key androgen and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) forming through peripheral metabolism51.

In females, testosterone is produced primarily in the ovaries and adrenal glands. It plays a crucial role in various bodily functions, including maintaining bone density, muscle mass, and sexual health. However, excessively high levels of testosterone in females can have negative effects, such as changes in menstrual cycles and unwanted hair growth. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the main medical conditions that can cause abnormal free testosterone levels in females.

But that’s another reason why sometimes doctors will just say, well, there’s no point in measuring your hormone levels because how would we even know how to interpret them? And one more thing, and I’m going to take a breath, but one more is if you’re on birth  control pills. If you’re on birth control pills, we really can’t accurately measure your estrogen and progesterone levels because what’s in the pill is not real estrogen and progesterone.

Testosterone is responsible for regulating sex drive in both men and women, so when levels decrease, it can lead to a decrease in sexual desire. Excess testosterone levels in women can cause a condition known as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which is characterized by hirsutism, acne, male patterned baldness, deepening voice, and increased muscle bulk. This condition usually starts in adolescence and gradually progresses throughout reproductive years with severity depending upon various factors. The following table shows the reference ranges of total testosterone levels for a woman at varying times during and after her reproductive years. Measurements are taken from blood plasma and provided in ng/dL (nanograms/deciliter). Lower than normal testosterone levels can cause weaker or diminished orgasms, reduced sexual wants, and reduced muscle mass and bone density which may then lead to a decrease in overall strength. Even though low testosterone levels in women can potentially impact female sexual function, the relationship between testosterone levels and female sexual function is far from linear or crystal clear.

It is important for women to be aware of these symptoms and seek medical advice if they suspect their testosterone levels may be low. Hormone replacement therapy or other treatments can help to restore hormonal balance and alleviate these symptoms. Low testosterone levels in women can lead to various symptoms, including fatigue, decreased libido, and mood swings. In some cases, low testosterone may be related to underlying medical conditions, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or adrenal insufficiency. Although females have lower testosterone levels than males, testosterone plays a crucial role in maintaining bone metabolism, cognition, and sexual function.

Consult with a hormone specialist if you doubt you have a hormonal issue. They will conduct a thorough physical examination and run a few tests to diagnose the problem and prescribe a suitable treatment option. Therefore, diagnosing sexual dysfunction in women should not depend on testosterone levels, because the levels are not very reliable in females. On the other hand, before prescribing testosterone therapy, health care providers should check testosterone levels to make sure they aren’t high. Testosterone levels in women can be low in women who have had both their ovaries removed, or whose ovaries do not function well due to any reason, such as chemotherapy.