Testosterone is a hormone present in both sexes, despite the common perception that it is only a male hormone. Testosterone plays an essential role in developing male sexual characteristics and the maintenance of secondary sex characteristics (such as body hair). Additionally, the hormone encourages the growth of muscle. It enhances bone mineral density, both of which contribute to the prevention of osteoporosis.

The purpose of testosterone testing is to ascertain your testosterone level. The test can diagnose conditions that trigger low testosterone levels, such as hypogonadism and Klinefelter syndrome. It can also be utilized to screen for certain cancers that require increased testosterone levels for growth (such as prostate cancer). You may also order testosterone tests for research purposes.

Two types of testosterone can be measured depending on the objective of the test.

• Your blood's testosterone level is calculated by adding free, protein-bound, and SHBG-bound testosterone levels.

• The quantity of testosterone unattached to a protein (such as albumin) is referred to as "free" or "bioavailable" testosterone. This measure is more accurate than total testosterone when measuring low hormone levels.

A testosterone test serves as a baseline for future tests. Suppose you have a condition that triggers your testosterone levels to be abnormal. In such a scenario, your primary care physician may advise that you undergo subsequent tests to track your improvement. It can also help track the effectiveness of treatment for low testosterone and other conditions that affect your hormone balance.

Trace the amount of testosterone in your body using this reliable test.

Signs of abnormal testosterone levels

The standard range for total testosterone level for women is 15 to 70 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) and 300 to 1000 ng/dL for men.

A man with low testosterone level can:

• Feel tired and weak, especially in the morning

• Lose interest in sex

• Have erectile dysfunction (ED)

• Gain weight, especially around your belly or hips

• Experience decreased bone density

• Have reduced muscle mass and strength

• Develop depression or anxiety, insomnia, and changes in mood or personality

• Have thinning hair

• Have a low sperm count, which can lead to fertility issues and difficulty becoming a father

Abnormally low testosterone levels in women are characterized by the following:

• Challenges in conceiving a child or maintaining a pregnancy to full term

• Loss of muscle mass and bone density, which can lead to osteoporosis

• Decreased sex drive and fertility

• Irregular periods (menstrual irregularities)

• Depression, anxiety, insomnia, and changes in mood or personality

Conversely, a woman may have too high a level of this hormone if she:

• Develops male characteristics, such as a deeper voice and facial hair growth

• Has irregular menstrual periods or no periods at all

• Experiences acne, oily skin, and weight gain

• Develops an enlarged clitoris, which can cause pain during sex

• Experiences fertility issues and difficulty getting pregnant

What causes abnormal levels of testosterone?

Testosterone can fluctuate based on medications used for thyroid disease (such as Synthroid or Armour Thyroid) or adrenal disorders (like Cushing's syndrome), so if you're taking these types of drugs, it will reduce the amount of circulating testosterone in your body—and increase it back up once treatment stops. Stressful situations such as losing a job or divorce can lower overall T levels too.

Also, several dietary factors could affect how much free-floating testosterone we produce. Consuming foods rich in saturated fats may cause a decrease in our total output while eating more fresh fruits/vegetables might increase our output since they contain phytonutrients like folic acid, which helps convert some metabolites into metabolites 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

Several factors can cause testosterone levels to be too high or too low in women. The most common cause is polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). This disorder affects the ovaries and increases the risk of infertility. Your testosterone level is prone to be at an abnormal level if:

• You have anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder that usually involves excessive dieting and exercise.

• You develop obesity, especially around the middle section of the body.

• You are taking certain medications, including birth control pills and antidepressants.

• You are using certain drugs, such as anabolic steroids or hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

• Your adrenal glands are overactive. It can cause your testosterone levels to increase, as well as other hormones such as cortisol.

• You have an adrenal tumour or cancer that causes the release of too much cortisol, which boosts your testosterone production.

• You have a cancerous tumour on one of your ovaries that causes them to release too much estrogen and progesterone into your body.

• You are undergoing natural phases such as ageing and menopause.

• You practice excessive alcohol use (more than five drinks per day).

In men, low testosterone can be attributed to the following:

• Testosterone deficiency or hypogonadism

• Klinefelter syndrome (XXY)

• Hyperprolactinemia

• Primary hypothyroidism

• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia

• Ageing and the natural decline of testosterone levels with age

• Weight gain, which can cause a decrease in testosterone production due to fat cells secreting estrogen

• Obesity, which affects how well your body absorbs nutrients and produces hormones, including testosterone

• Chronic illnesses such as diabetes, infections and liver disease

• Exposure to chemicals that can disrupt your hormone balance

• A condition that causes you to lose weight, such as anorexia or bulimia

• Dehydration

• High levels of stress in your life (daily)

• A pituitary gland or hypothalamus tumour causes your body to produce too much prolactin, a hormone that can decrease testosterone levels and cause an inability to have an erection

What happens during the test? 

The doctor will examine your medical history and inquire about any medications you're taking. They may also ask about any health conditions you have and whether you have a family history of problems with erectile dysfunction or other sexual problems. You'll be requested to provide a urine sample, which the doctor will test for signs of an STD (such as chlamydia). While there's no blood test to check your testosterone levels, your doctor can perform a simple physical exam to check for any signs of problems. Your doctor may also order any of the following tests:

• 17-hydroxyprogesterone

• Androstenedione (AD)

• Biopsy

• DHEAS

• Estrogens

• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) or luteinizing hormone (LH)

• Prolactin

Who can test for testosterone levels?

There are many reasons why someone might receive a testosterone test. Testosterone levels decrease with age, so if you are over 30 and have concerns about your hormone balance, it can be beneficial to check your testosterone level. If you have been working out regularly and have yet to see results from exercise or increased muscle mass, seeing that your testosterone is low may indicate that something else is behind your inability to improve your physique. In addition, health issues like heart disease, obesity, and diabetes can influence testosterone levels. If you experience any of these conditions, you must consult a doctor before getting tested for low T levels.

A testosterone test can be carried out for boys and girls of all ages. Check your body's testosterone using this test.

Soon after birth

Testosterone levels are measured in the first few days of life. The test is usually a blood sample, but a urine sample can also be used. Testosterone levels in newborns are essential for ensuring the baby is developing correctly. All boys' hormones are measured at birth to confirm whether they have the genetic disorder congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). CAH means our bodies make too much male hormone. This makes the genitalia look different at birth and causes problems during puberty.

Infants and toddlers

In infants and toddlers, testosterone levels can be high or low. Most of the time, they're normal. But when a baby's testosterone level is deficient, it can mean that something is wrong with his genitals or reproductive system. Low testosterone also could indicate that your child has some genetic disorder that affects how his body produces hormones like oestrogen and progesterone and how much muscle he develops during puberty.

Low testosterone levels in toddlers— particularly young boys—may indicate the presence of Klinefelter syndrome (KS) or another genetic condition called aromatase excess syndrome (AES). In KS, males get an extra X chromosome in addition to their normal XY chromosomes; this causes their bodies not to produce enough testosterone for healthy bone growth and sexual development during puberty. AES is similar but involves a different chromosomal abnormality. Like with KS, there are too many copies of the aromatase gene on one chromosome rather than extra X chromosomes.

Furthermore, babies born with ambiguous genitalia or atypical sex development may undergo testing to help determine whether testosterone is the reason for their condition.

Children and young adults

Children, teenagers, and young adults who have a disorder of sex development may also be tested for testosterone levels and the aromatase gene.

People with early puberty

Doctors may recommend testing for people with early puberty, which can indicate a testosterone deficiency. Early puberty can also be a sign of other health issues. For example, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and some forms of cancer can cause an early onset of puberty in girls. Doctors may also test for these conditions if they are concerned about your daughter's development.

Middle-aged people and older adults

As most of you know, testosterone levels decrease with age. In fact, by the time a man is 70 years old, his testosterone level is about half what it was when he was 20 years old. But low testosterone isn't just a problem for older men—it can also affect middle-aged and younger adults. Low levels of this sex hormone can cause erectile dysfunction (ED), osteoporosis (thinning bones), low libido (interest in sex), fatigue (feeling tired all the time) and weight gain.

Testosterone levels are usually highest in infancy, lowest during childhood and puberty (when it increases), highest again during young adulthood, and then decrease with age until age 50, when it begins rising again due to natural changes in our bodies as we get older.

How is abnormal testosterone level managed?

Testosterone can be managed by prescription medication or testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Men with low testosterone levels usually take an androgen receptor blocker, which helps restore normal levels of this sex hormone.

It will also help if you consider increasing your physical activity levels and modifying your diet to include more fresh fruit, vegetables and whole grains. Other beneficial foods for a healthy testosterone level are:

• Dairy milk fortified with Vitamin D

• Oysters

• Shellfish

• Fatty fish or fish oil supplements

• Tuna

• Egg yolks

• Extra virgin olive oil

• Fortified plant milk

• Fortified cereals

• Onions

• Beans

• Beef and lean meats

Women may manage the abnormal level with oral contraceptive pills, spironolactone, or a combination of both. The oral contraceptive pill is a standard treatment for women with PCOS. It also has a role in the regulation of the menstrual cycle and the reduction of testosterone levels. It also treats acne, hair loss and weight gain. Spironolactone is a potassium-saving diuretic that lowers testosterone levels by making the body more sensitive to insulin and stopping the ovaries from making male hormones.

Simple dietary changes can also help, such as increasing the levels of protein and fat in meals.

The takeaway

Testosterone levels can vary from person to person, and the normal range can be slightly different depending on who is measuring it. Levels that are either too low or high can cause various problems, but it is not a severe health issue in most cases.

There are various factors why someone might receive a testosterone test. However, it's important to remember that this testing isn't required as part of any routine health screening. It is up to a person to decide if they want their hormone levels checked by their doctor or another medical professional. If you have concerns about whether or not you should test your levels, talk with your doctor about what they recommend for treatment.

Take this test to measure your body's available testosterone.

Read more at Welzo to learn about testosterone levels and how to increase your testosterone levels through diet.