Bioavailable testosterone includes testosterone that is free or loosely attached to albumin. Only testosterone that is free or attached to albumin is considered available for use. The possible causes of high testosterone include steroid use, testicular tumours, and adrenal gland disorders. However, if you are a "grey area" patient, a health professional will require more detailed information and suggest a more comprehensive test.1 It is common for health professionals to start here—known as a'screening test’.
A testosterone levels test may be used with other tests to help your provider find the cause of abnormal testosterone levels. Your health care provider can measure your testosterone levels by ordering one of three tests. It is possible to have low testosterone without symptoms, and it is normal for testosterone levels to decrease gradually with age.3 After menopause, typically between the ages of 45 and 55 years, testosterone levels in females decrease significantly. In females, testosterone levels also begin to drop more rapidly after age 30 years and are significantly reduced postmenopause. The unit of measure for reporting T levels is nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL), with typical average testosterone levels for younger males being in the 400s. Higher-than-normal testosterone levels are uncommon in adult males, but they can happen in children and may trigger early puberty.
In females, testosterone is produced in much lesser quantities in the ovaries, adrenal glands, and fat cells. Testosterone is a male sex hormone (or androgen) present in both sexes. For both sexes, having too little or too much testosterone can cause symptoms. How often you need testosterone testing depends on your symptoms and whether you’re receiving treatment. If your levels are unusually high or low, your doctor will likely order a second test to confirm the results. Both males and females produce testosterone.
While the specifics are uncertain, it's possible that androgens also play an important role in normal brain function (including mood, sex drive and cognitive function). The proper balance between testosterone (along with other androgens) and estrogen is important for the ovaries to work normally. For example, the genitals may not enlarge, facial and body hair may be scant, and the voice may not deepen normally. Adolescent boys with too little testosterone may not experience normal masculinization. A "feedback loop" closely regulates the amount of hormone in the blood.
For males under age 45 years, a testosterone test is usually performed in the morning when T levels are highest. Speaking with a doctor or medical professional is a good place to start if you have concerns about your testosterone levels. Low testosterone in females can also lessen sexual desire and affect mood, concentration, and energy levels.
Urine tests for testosterone aren’t reliable; they only measure the breakdown of testosterone, not the hormone itself, and your hydration level can skew results. You can check your testosterone levels in a lab or with an at-home kit. You can guess all you want, but the only way to know if your testosterone levels are where they should be is to test them. At this time there are no age-specific testosterone reference ranges for males or females. A testosterone test is the only way to know for sure if you have low testosterone levels. These simple blood tests can be administered by a medical professional in a lab or through an at-home testosterone test kit. You can test your testosterone levels with a testosterone test.

Gender: Female

Social links