Testosterone Levels in the Body

Testosterone is the male sex hormone that is produced in both males and females. However, males produce 40 to 60 times more testosterone than females. Testosterone is a powerful hormone that regulates and controls organs and tissues. Hormones are chemicals in the body that send messages through the blood stream. They work constantly and can affect growth and development, sexual function, metabolism, reproduction and mood.

Testosterone Test

• To identify the level of testosterone in the body, a blood test is needed. Most medical insurance covers the test and no preparation is necessary before the test. Usually testosterone is tested to assess the following.
  Early or late puberty in males
  Impotence and infertility in males
  Characteristics and irregular menstrual periods in women

Normal Testosterone Levels

• For a male, normal testosterone levels are 300 to 1,000 ng/dL. In a female, normal levels are 20 to 80 ng/dL. Different labs have different ranges for what is considered normal. After the test, a doctor can provide additional information on the meaning of the test.

Irregular Levels

• If testosterone is above the normal range, the risk for the following increases.

  Testicular cancer
  Ovarian Cancer
  Precoscious puberty
  Androgen resistance
  Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
  Polycystic ovary disease

  If testosterone is below the normal range, the risk for the following increases.
  Delayed puberty
  Hypopituitarism
  Prolactinoma
  Testicular failure
  Chronic illness

Levels and Aging

• Testosterone levels decrease with age in males. Since the normal range is high, testosterone levels may not be the problem. Many times testosterone is blamed when really the symptoms are caused by something else. Signs of low testosterone in men include: decreased sex drive, lowered sperm count and increased breast size. If low testosterone is diagnosed, hormonal therapy is a treatment option.

Testosterone Therapy

• Testosterone replacement therapy can improve muscle mass, bone density, energy, mood, sex drive and erectile function. Therapy can be in the method of a patch, gel, injection, or tablet. Risks of testosterone treatment include high red-blood cell count, sleep apnea, increase in prostate enlargement or prostate cancer growth, fluid build-up, acne and breast enlargement.