Testosterone is a hormone responsible for the formation, development of sexual characteristics of the secondary type, and the growth of bones and muscles. In the male body, production occurs in the cells of the testes. In the adrenal glands and ovaries, testosterone is produced in women. The norm of the hormone in men is much higher than that of the fair sex. A change in the concentration of the compound in the body of both one and the second gender group may indicate the presence of a pathological condition or the onset of the development of any serious disease.
It should be said that testosterone in women, the norm of which ensures the stable activity of many body systems, can go beyond both the minimum and maximum boundaries. The hormone is responsible for the maturation in the ovaries of the follicle. Thanks to its activity, the stable operation of the sebaceous glands and bone marrow is ensured.
When should you be tested? What is the norm of testosterone?
In women, the concentration is 0.45-3.75 nmol / L, in men - 5.76-28.14 nmol / L. Diagnosis of the presence or absence of changes in the hormone content begins with a laboratory analysis of blood serum. Emotional disorders, metabolic disturbances, a decrease in muscle activity are noted when testosterone in women is not enough. The norm is achieved by taking additional drugs. Hormone therapy is prescribed by a doctor.
An insufficient
level of testosterone in women is also manifested by a sleepy, lethargic, tearful state, a feeling of depression. Such changes are most often characteristic of the postpartum period. When prescribing therapy, it is necessary to provide control over the concentration of the hormone. This will achieve the average concentration in which testosterone should be present in women. Symptoms of a pathological condition will be completely eliminated. The specialist must ensure that the hormone content does not go beyond the maximum permissible limits.
High testosterone in women
It should be said that in men, the main problem with age is a decrease in the hormone in the blood. Women have another problem - there are too many of them. High testosterone in women is manifested primarily externally. If the concentration of the hormone is outside the upper permissible limit, the hair on the body, face in the male type begin to grow actively.
An increase in the hormone content is characteristic of the gestation period. However, during pregnancy, the concentration in which testosterone is found in women is normal. In this case, the hormone in the body of the expectant mother can be four times more than before the start of gestation. This fact is not a dangerous deviation in this state. In many other cases, an excess of testosterone in women can lead to disruptions in the reproductive system, adversely affect the menstrual cycle (bleeding becomes irregular or stops altogether). As a result, serious difficulties may arise with conceiving a child, and for some it is not possible to bear a fetus before birth. In this regard, during the period of pregnancy planning, you must undergo all the necessary examinations, pass the necessary tests. If necessary, the specialist will prescribe drugs to reduce testosterone levels. In women, in addition to external manifestations, the hormone content in large quantities is also manifested by dry skin, a change in physique.
The voice becomes coarse, hair begins to fall out, their fat content also increases (due to increased activity of the sebaceous glands). Among other symptoms that accompany the pathological condition, it should be noted increased excitability, sexual desire, physical activity, causeless aggression, rudeness, irritability. Along with this, the risk of developing serious diseases such as an
ovarian tumor or
Cushing's syndrome increases
. With the development of any of the above manifestations, it is necessary to consult a specialist as soon as possible. The sooner a woman visits a doctor, the more likely it is to correct the situation with the least loss.
Reasons for increased concentration
In women, the most common predisposing factors should be attributed primarily to an improperly prepared diet. The problem of excessive hormone levels in the blood is most often encountered by those ladies who adhere to strict diets. Among other reasons, it should be noted a hereditary predisposition, too long a number of medications that affect the state of the hormonal background in general and the content of individual hormones in particular, as well as high physical activity.
Testosterone can increase in the case of the development of tumors. Temporary and not having significant clinical significance reasons should include, as indicated above, pregnancy.
Treatment with an increased concentration of the hormone
First of all, experts recommend eliminating diet errors. Juices (freshly squeezed preferably), a small amount of salt and sugar, white bread, bee honey, caffeine, dairy products with normal fat content, vegetable oils, fried foods should be added to daily nutrition. For more serious reasons, appropriate treatment may be prescribed, including medication. Taking drugs without consulting a doctor is strictly prohibited. In addition to hormonal drugs, herbs can help lower testosterone levels. In particular, evening primrose, angelica, black-footed beetle and other plants are very effective. Complex therapy is often recommended, including both traditional and folk methods.
Hormonal drugs are prescribed only when a high testosterone content is a danger to a woman's health. As a rule, when prescribing such treatment, in addition to stabilizing the concentration, the functions of many systems that have failed are normalized. For example, weight returns to normal, sweating decreases, arrhythmia is eliminated. Many patients get rid of insomnia.
Additional analyzes
Equally important is the content in which free testosterone is located. The norm for women is different for each age. So, for girls from 6 to 9 years old - less than 1.7, in the reproductive period - less than 4.1 pg / ml, with menopause - the same as in childhood. Free testosterone is an active form of the hormone. It acts on target organs that have protein receptors that respond to androgens (hair follicles, muscles, liver, genitals). When exposed to alpha-5-reductase, the hormone is transformed into dihydrotestosterone. The amount of this active form of the hormone is determined by several factors. One of them is the presence of binding proteins. These include, in particular, globulin and albumin. Part of the testosterone interacts with the latter. Another part (about 60%) binds to SHBG (sex hormone). About 1-2% falls on free testosterone. Its definition is clinically important in confirming hirsutism with polycystic ovary. The concentration in which total testosterone in women is found does not reflect the content of all biological available forms. In this regard, additional studies are being carried out, thanks to which the picture of the hormonal background becomes clearer. This is especially important in the development of pathological conditions, during pregnancy, with hypothyroidism, virilizing adrenal tumors, polycystic ovary syndrome, clitoral hypertrophy. With a reduced level of free testosterone, the likelihood of primary and secondary hypogonadism, hypoplasia of the gonads and others increases.
How to pass tests?
In different laboratories, the cost of the study ranges from 200-1000 rubles. As a rule, the analysis result is known after a day. To avoid inaccuracies, a number of rules should be followed. Women should donate blood for analysis from the third to the fifth and from the 8th to the 10th day of menstruation. A day before the expected date of the study, you should stop any physical activity, training, try to avoid worries and stress. It is also recommended to refuse sexual contacts. Just before the blood donation (in an hour or two) you should calm down, relax a bit. It is not recommended to smoke. Subject to the indicated rather simple requirements, it is more likely to pass high-quality material and, accordingly, get true and accurate results.
What can affect the quality of the study?
Inaccurate results may occur due to several reasons. One of the main ones is taking medications that affect the concentration of hormones in the blood. In particular, they include anticonvulsants, anabolic steroids, valproic acid, barbiturates, and oral contraceptives. Among the drugs, it is also worth mentioning such medications as Mifepristone, Cimetidine, Rifampicin, Casodex, Tamoxifen, Danazol, Levonorgestrel, Naloxone, Nafarelin. These and a number of other drugs can increase testosterone levels. Drugs such as antiandrogens, corticosteroids, drugs, phenothiazides cause a decrease in blood concentration. It should also be called drugs “Tetracycline”, “Interleukin”, “Carbamazepine”, “Cyclophosphamide”, “Ketoconazole”, “Finasteride”, “Leuprolide”, “Verapamil”. Follicle-stimulating hormone, ethanol, glucose, estradiol valearate also provokes a decrease in testosterone content.
Conclusion
To avoid hormonal disruptions and their likely consequences, you should regularly visit a doctor. It is recommended that women periodically consult with an endocrinologist-gynecologist, and if necessary, a nutritionist. This is especially important when planning a pregnancy. A timely visit to a specialist, regular checking of the level of hormones in the blood will allow, mainly, to avoid malfunctions in the body. In the event that symptoms appear that reduce the quality of life, causing discomfort, you must consult a doctor. Experts recall that the endocrine system is one of the most important in the human body. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor its condition most carefully. Self-medication is not recommended. Uncontrolled intake of hormonal drugs can not only not improve the condition, but also lead to irreversible consequences. In particular, taking drugs that help increase testosterone in women can cause serious disruptions in the reproductive system, which can subsequently result in an inability to conceive or bear a child. An increase, as well as a decrease in the concentration of the hormone in the blood, can cause discomfort not only to the patient herself, but also to her relatives.