home Audience 4 What is free testosterone and what is the norm for men and women? Diseases that contribute to hormonal imbalance. Risk factors that contribute to a decrease in the hormone in the blood

What is free testosterone and what is the norm for men and women? Diseases that contribute to hormonal imbalance. Risk factors that contribute to a decrease in the hormone in the blood

Hello, dear readers! Nowadays, when propaganda healthy image Life and fitness are gaining momentum, people began to pay more attention to their health and try to learn about the factors that contribute to it. Both experts and novices who have just arrived Gym, understand that all processes in the body, and therefore changes, are controlled by a set of hormones. One of the most important hormones is testosterone and it is very important to know such a parameter as free testosterone normal in men and free testosterone normal in women.

What kind of hormone is this?

Testosterone is the main male sex hormone with an androgenic effect. Despite the fact that the hormone is called male, it is present in the body of both men and women, differing in quantity. IN male body synthesized from the gonads and testes. In the female body, the ovaries are responsible for the production of testosterone, producing it in much lower concentrations (normal). In organisms of both sexes it is synthesized thanks to the adrenal cortex. In men, the hormone is responsible for masculinization (that is, a set of characteristics originally inherent only to men), and in women, it is responsible for androgenization (the appearance of changes atypical for ladies).

What properties does testosterone exhibit?

The effects of this hormone are irreplaceable, because testosterone has many positive effects:

promotes the development of male genital organs (this occurs in the prenatal period);
thanks to it, secondary sexual characteristics develop in men (this is a deepening of the voice, the growth of hair on the body and face, the development of male facial features - everything that allows you to distinguish a man from a woman);
provides anabolic effect, promoting the growth muscle mass(this is why testosterone is in his different forms used in sports pharmacology);
affects sexual desire;
plays an important role in phosphorus and nitrogen metabolism.

But if the level of this hormone is insufficient or low, side effects may occur:

hypertension (high blood pressure);
the appearance of edema;
masculinization (regarding ladies);
development of infertility;
penchant for frequent changes mood, as well as manifestations of aggression, instability of behavior, excessive excitability;
partial or complete baldness;
skin problems (oily, acne).

Various Forms of Testosterone

Testosterone is present in human body in two forms: free and bound. There is also an intermediate option, where testosterone is called conditionally free, or bioavailable. This conditional form is a combination of testosterone bound to albumin and free.

The most informative is the free indicator, since only in this form the hormone will be active and can interact with androgen receptors, as well as participate in many biochemical processes.

Surely you were once in a medical laboratory and saw “total testosterone” among the list of tests. Thus, doctors determine all the sex hormone (bound + free) in the body. But it will be more useful to know the level of only the free one, because its fluctuations will affect health and appearance in a much more visible way.

What are the normal levels of free testosterone?

Consider free testosterone in men

Data from endocrinologists states:

at the age of 20 to 39 years, men should normally have an average level of 10.75 ng/dL;
at the age of 40-49 years - 7-26 ng/dL;
at the age of 50-59 - 5-22 ng/dL;
and at the age of 60 to 69 years - 5-19 ng/dL.

With further increase in age, the level drops lower and lower.

ng/dL (or ng/ml) is the common unit of measurement for hormonal tests. Since a fence is taken as a material for analysis venous blood, this unit shows how many nanograms of the hormone are in a small volume of blood (deciliter or milliliter).

For women, these figures certainly vary.

Normal for women

Just after birth and up to 5 months, girls should have testosterone in the range of 0.2 - 0.8 ng/ml;
from six months to 6 years - 0.06 - 0.2 ng/ml;
at 10-11 years old - 0.06 - 0.44 ng/ml;
at 12-16 - 0.07 - 0.75 ng/ml;
at 17-18 - 0.2 - 0.75 ng/ml;
over 19 years old - 0.08 - 0.6 ng/ml;
during the period during and after menopause - 0.15 - 0.7 ng/ml.

Why is it important to know your free testosterone levels?

Doctors advise all men to control their hormonal levels in order to avoid unpleasant consequences and, if necessary, begin treatment without fail.

This is important, since increasing the level of free testosterone leads to the following problems:

risk of adrenal hyperplasia. This pathology means that organs and tissues will grow disproportionately (for example, the penis grows, but the testicles do not). Growth accelerates without taking into account the age and maturity of other body systems.
there is a risk of testicular tumors;
risk of infertility;
there are problems with sleep.

With a deficiency of the hormone, on the contrary, a person will experience:

weakness, lethargy;
delay muscle growth, strength;
sexual impotence;
deficiency, as well as imbalance of hormones, can lead to gynecomastia - a problem that arises due to increased levels female hormones in the male body.

So by monitoring your testosterone levels from time to time, you risk maintaining your health for many years. And taking into account anabolic effect hormone, you can keep your body in great shape.

Now, hoping that this information has been of benefit to you, I say goodbye to you, dear readers. Don't forget to subscribe to my blog updates and leave comments. Be healthy!

Best regards, Vladimir Manerov

Subscribe and be the first to know about new articles on the site, right in your email.

The hormone testosterone is present not only in men, but also in women.

Concentration important substance among the fair sex it is much lower.

Excess and deficiency of the male sex hormone negatively affects the functioning of the female body.

What is free testosterone? The norm for women during pregnancy, during menopause, causes of lack/excess of male sex hormone. What drugs are prescribed to correct testosterone levels? What signs indicate hormonal imbalances? The answers are in the article.

Many women ask the endocrinologist questions: “Why does the fair sex need the male hormone? Perhaps this substance harms the body, provokes the development dangerous pathologies, leads to hormonal imbalances?

Doctors explain: “Lack of testosterone negatively affects the development of the female body. The male hormone has a positive effect on many processes, participates in the synthesis of estradiol, and regulates the rhythm of menstruation.”

Testosterone does other things too important functions in the female body:

participates in protein synthesis;
regulates the growth and development of the mammary glands;
strengthens muscles, participates in the formation of the skeleton;
responsible for sexual desire in women;
influences the timely maturation of the follicle in the egg;
supports correct work sebaceous glands.

Testosterone is a prohormone, a substance with fairly low chemical activity. On its basis, the production of hormones occurs - estradiol and dihydrotestosterone.

Free testosterone index: normal

The content of the male sex hormone in women is 7–12 times lower than in men.

Testosterone is produced by the adrenal cortex and ovaries.

The concentration of an important substance involved in many life processes is measured in nanomoles per liter.

The optimal indicators are the concentration of free testosterone (in nanomoles per liter).

Men
From 5.76 to 8.14	From 0.31 to 3.78

During pregnancy, indicators increase sharply (on average, from the 13th week). The process does not occur by chance: an excessive amount male hormone inhibits the release of the egg.

If testosterone levels are various reasons increases noticeably in non-pregnant woman, then the frequency of menstruation is disrupted or they completely stop until recovery hormonal levels.

IN different periods menstrual cycle The rate of free testosterone in women differs: follicular phase– from 0.45 to 3.75, ovulation period – from 0.46 to 2.48, luteal phase – fluctuations from 0.20 to 1.73 pg/ml.

Age

The level of testosterone in the female body changes at different periods of life. Deviation from the norm worsens hormonal levels, provokes obesity or excessive thinness, reduces muscle mass, leads to brittle bones, and causes problems with reproductive function.

No.	Age	Testosterone level (measured in nmol/l)
1	Up to 12 months	From 0 to 2.31
2	From 1 year to 6 years	From 0 to 1.22
3	From 6 to 11 years	From 0.49 to 1.82
4	From 11 to 15 years	From 0.84 to 4.46
5	From 15 to 18 years old	From 1.36 to 4.73
6	Women of reproductive age	From 0.31 nmol/l to 3.78
7	During pregnancy	Increasing performance by 3–4 times compared to point 6
8	Menopause	From 0.42 to 4.51
9	Against the background of the use of oral contraceptives	From 0.45 to 2.88

Index

During the research, doctors found: maximum concentration of an important substance was noted in the morning; by the evening the levels decrease.

Significant fluctuations in hormone levels in women negatively affect the functioning of the entire body.

To clarify testosterone levels, a blood test is prescribed. The optimal period is from 8 to 10 days of the cycle.

Preparation rules:

women who smoke should give up cigarettes several hours before the test;
the day before donating blood, it is not advisable to be nervous or play sports;
for 24 hours before the test, you should not take hormonal medications or eat fatty or spicy foods;
It is important to donate blood on an empty stomach; you should not drink liquid.

Causes of Low Testosterone

Provoking factors:

A decrease in male sex hormone levels provokes diseases and negative conditions:

depression;
damage to the heart and blood vessels;
excessive sweating;
increased dryness skin;
chronic fatigue;
irritability;
decrease in density, disruption of structure bone tissue– osteoporosis develops;
accumulation of fat on the arms, thighs, abdomen;
decreased libido;
development of hormone-dependent tumors;
decreased concentration, poor memory of information;
malignant neoplasms in the mammary glands;
discomfort, vaginal dryness during sexual intercourse;
diabetes;
weakness, low physical activity;
uterine fibroids;
endometriosis.

Causes of high testosterone

Excess male hormone appears due to the following factors:

genetic predisposition;
ovulation period;
improper, irregular nutrition;
excessive activity of the adrenal cortex;
application hormonal drugs over a long period;
third trimester of pregnancy;
tumors in the ovaries.

Main features:

increased physical activity;
irregular menstrual cycle;
sharp increase sexual desire;
the face and body are covered with acne;
the size of the clitoris increases;
deepening of the voice;
alternation of periods causeless aggression and apathy;
reduction of body fat;
Excessive hair growth on the face (above upper lip) and body (in armpits, on the arms, legs);
discomfort in the ovaries and lumbar region;
problems sleeping, irritability;
infertility due to lack of ovulation;
active muscle building;
enlargement of individual parts of the skeleton by male type(widened shoulders).

How to normalize testosterone levels

Visits to an endocrinologist, gynecologist, examination, testing, identifying factors that provoke hormonal imbalances. Medication or surgical treatment in the presence of endometriosis, ovarian cysts, tumors, uterine fibroids. It is important to eliminate organ abnormalities reproductive system.
Treatment chronic diseases, against the background of which immunity decreases, develop pathological processes V various organs. Special attention – endocrine pathologies negatively affecting work genitourinary system among women.
Diet correction. Balanced diet- the basis of therapy. Only with a sufficient amount of vitamins, minerals, and a regular supply of biologically active substances from food can health be restored. More fresh vegetables, fruit and berry juices, low-fat fermented milk products. The bird is useful lean fish, seafood, vegetable oils, nuts, honey, leafy greens.
To reduce testosterone levels, a decoction of “female” herbs is prescribed: primrose, black cohosh, angelica. Medicinal plants used only on the recommendation of an endocrinologist and gynecologist.
You can bring the indicators back to normal when the concentration of the male sex hormone increases with the help of drugs: Dexamethasone, Digostin, Diane-35, Cyproterone. If the cause of the failure is the improper functioning of the ovaries, and not the adrenal glands, then contraceptives should not be used. Diseases need to be treated and stopped inflammatory process, remove tumors. In each case, the doctor develops a treatment regimen individually.

If signs indicating problems with hormonal levels appear, you should not self-medicate or take uncontrolled herbal infusions or oral contraceptives.

Only based on the test results, after clarification of the level of free testosterone, examination by an endocrinologist and gynecologist, therapy under the guidance of experienced doctors. It is important to refuse bad habits, be sure to reconsider your attitude to life and adjust your diet.

Video on the topic

Most people who are not involved in medicine tend to consider testosterone to be an exclusively male hormone. At the same time, few people seriously think about the fact that this is biological active substance necessary for normal functioning female body, although its content in the blood of the fair sex is not so high.

How much testosterone is normally found in the blood of women? What can affect changes in indicators and when should you consult a doctor?

What is testosterone responsible for in the female body?

Testosterone is a hormone produced by two organs in the female body. The main share of the substance released into the blood occurs in the ovaries, which are under the control of the pituitary gland and synthesize testosterone in accordance with this effect. The hormone is synthesized in a smaller volume by the adrenal glands.

Despite the fact that testosterone is generally considered a male hormone, it also performs a number of important functions in the female body. These include:

development control muscular system and building muscle mass;
control over the amount of fat deposits in the body;
maintaining normal libido in the female body (if there is an excess of testosterone, a woman will experience hypersexuality, and if there is a deficiency, asexuality will develop);
regulation normal operation sebaceous glands;
participation in the processes of growth and development of the mammary glands.

Like other sex hormones, testosterone can also influence a woman’s behavior, her mental health. An excess of this substance in the blood, for example, can lead to increased aggressiveness, inappropriate behavior and lack of control over one's actions.

Testosterone also takes an active part in the metabolic processes of certain elements. Under its influence, in combination with estradiol, normal bone density is maintained, that is, the processes of calcium absorption proceed normally, preventing the development of osteoporosis. The hormone is also involved in the female body in regulating the metabolism of proteins, lipids, phosphorus, and nitrogen. Testosterone also has a partial effect on increasing stress resistance and normalizing blood glucose levels.

Testosterone levels in women by age

The female hormonal background is a somewhat more complex system than the male hormonal background. This is explained by constant changes in the level of sex hormones, fluctuations in which within one month can be very pronounced. During pregnancy, a woman generally experiences such a strong hormonal shock that it is very difficult to withstand.

The level of testosterone in the female body is influenced by a variety of factors, ranging from age to the process of pregnancy. To make it easier to determine the presence or absence of abnormalities, doctors evaluate testosterone in two main states: free and total.

Free testosterone is an indicator of the amount of hormone that is active, is not bound to protein compounds and is able to actively exhibit its functions. Free testosterone is measured in pg/ml and its level varies depending on age. A special table helps you navigate the changes.

The level of total testosterone shows how much of the hormone is contained in the body, regardless of whether it is bound to protein compounds or is in a free state. This indicator for all women, regardless of age, should be within the reference values of 0.26 to 1.3 ng/ml.

When assessing testosterone levels, it is recommended to pay attention to the standards of the laboratory where the test is carried out. This is necessary because reference values may differ significantly from one institution to another depending on the reagents used.

If, after taking the test in one of the laboratories, doubts arise about the reliability of the result, it is recommended to undergo a repeat test at any other institution.

What will indicate an increase in level?

Testosterone is a hormone whose abnormally elevated levels rarely go unnoticed. In most cases, external signs can indicate to a woman that something is wrong with her body, and she needs consultation with a specialist.

The following changes in appearance may indicate the presence of any deviations in testosterone from the norm:

hair growth is activated on the woman’s body, hair begins to appear even where it has never been (upper lip and other areas of the face, chest), hair thickens, becomes black and actively grows on the legs and arms;
after washing, the condition of the hair on the head quickly changes; it gets dirty easily, becomes greasy and unpleasant to the touch. a short time;
the skin throughout the body becomes very dry, very flaky and easily cracks even from the most minor adverse effects;
the voice becomes rougher, in timbre and intonation more and more reminiscent of a man’s voice;
the woman quickly gains weight, the body loses the contours of a feminine figure and noticeable changes in the direction of masculinity occur, muscle mass is easily gained, which was not the case before;
there is an excessive craving for physical and sexual activity that was not previously noted;
behavior changes, it becomes more rude and aggressive for no obvious reason.

If a woman notices the appearance of such changes, she is advised to consult a doctor.

What will indicate a decrease in level?

Contrary to popular belief, a lack of testosterone in the female body is just as bad as its excess. Nevertheless, although this hormone is considered male, it affects many vital processes in the body of the fair sex.

Signs indicating a decrease in testosterone levels include:

reduction in the amount of hair throughout the body in comparison with the previous presence of vegetation;
loss of muscle mass without visible reasons, feeling constant fatigue;
an increase in the amount of fat under the skin, the rapid formation of a fat layer and unsuccessful attempts to get rid of it;
dry skin;
decreased libido, almost complete absence sexual desires;
rapid mood swings, depression, often turning into depression.

It is important to remember that symptoms indicating a decrease in testosterone levels are often ignored by many women because they are not specific. One of the main signs of problems, which actually makes you see a doctor, is the appearance of discomfort during sexual intercourse. The discomfort is explained by the fact that testosterone is involved in the formation of vaginal secretion, which acts as a lubricant. If there is not enough testosterone, then the secretion is not produced in the required quantities and sexual intercourse ceases to bring pleasure to the woman, which forces her to consult a doctor.

Rules for taking the analysis

Testosterone is a hormone whose level does not take a large number of time. In most cases, the woman receives the results within 24 hours.

To ensure that the results are not in doubt, before taking the test, a representative of the fair sex should follow a number of simple rules. First of all, it is worth keeping in mind that best days For testing, the intervals are from 3 to 5 and from 8 to 10 days of the menstrual cycle. Of course, the analysis can be carried out on other days, but then its reliability will raise fair doubts.

Immediately 24 hours before the test, the woman is advised to refuse physical activity, interrupt training, do not have sexual intercourse. If possible, it is also recommended to protect yourself from stress. You should not smoke or drink alcohol before the test.

It is important to consult your doctor regarding medicines, which a woman regularly takes due to any chronic pathology. Particular attention is paid anticonvulsants, anabolic steroids and valproic acid, which can affect testosterone levels. After consulting with your doctor a few days before the test, you may need to stop taking these medications.

Testosterone is an important hormone not only for men, but also for women. In a woman, the state of the reproductive system, the ability to bear and give birth also depends on this hormone. healthy babies. If signs appear indicating any disturbances in testosterone production, it is recommended to consult a doctor and begin treatment.

Such a typically male hormone as testosterone is also present in a woman’s body. It is produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands. Testosterone in women is responsible for such important body functions as creating and maintaining muscle mass, regulating the function of the sebaceous glands, and nervous system. This hormone regulates the process of follicle ripening, is responsible for the growth of the mammary glands, and affects a woman’s sexuality.

What is the normal level of testosterone hormone in women?

Unlike the male body, the hormonal background in women is subject to constant changes, expressed in fluctuations. If these deviations from the norm are within the acceptable range, women's health nothing is in danger. The level of testosterone in the blood is affected by age and pregnancy: during pregnancy, testosterone levels increase two to three times. In medicine, two indicators of hormone levels are used:

Free testosterone. This term refers to the amount of free substance not bound to proteins. The normal content of free testosterone is 0.25 – 1.25 ng/ml.
Total testosterone. This term refers to the total amount of the hormone in the body. To determine the level of hormone content, it is necessary to undergo tests and tests in laboratories medical institutions. If you have doubts about the results, we recommend checking your hormone levels in another laboratory.

Detailed hormone content data is shown in the table:

During pregnancy

During pregnancy, testosterone levels increase several times, and this increase is considered normal. The amount of the hormone increases due to the fact that in the pregnant woman’s body the placenta is connected to the production of testosterone. An excess of the hormone is also due to the fact that the fetus begins to produce it: its content is especially high if a woman is pregnant with a boy.

By the third semester, testosterone in women is at its maximum. high level. It is considered normal if its content in the body increases three to four times or more. Experts find it difficult to voice exact figures. In some women, an increase in hormone levels can be caused not only by pregnancy, but also by ovulation.

Causes of testosterone imbalance

The cause of hormonal disorders will be reliably determined by a doctor who will rely on information obtained during medical research. There are several causes of violations of different nature. If you suspect a hormone deficiency or excess, we recommend that you do not hesitate and contact medical care. The following reasons for increased testosterone levels are known:

Diseases, disorders of the ovaries and uterus: polycystic disease, endometriosis, fibroids, tumor diseases.
Hereditary factor – hormonal disorders passed on by inheritance.
Disorders associated with improper functioning of the adrenal glands.
Pathology of the pituitary gland.

The main factor influencing the increase in testosterone levels is incorrect operation adrenal cortex. Also considered a common cause of hormonal imbalance are various diseases genitals. Among the reasons causing low hormone levels in women, experts name the following factors:

Alcoholism.
Poor nutrition – lack of sufficient carbohydrates in the diet.
Fasting, a diet based on limited consumption fat

Symptoms of high testosterone levels

The fact that pathological conditions occur in the body hormonal changes, the woman will guess by external signs. These signs are evidence serious illnesses, therefore, if the symptoms mentioned below occur, it is better to consult a specialist. The sooner you find out and eliminate the cause of hormonal imbalance, the faster the recovery will come. There are such symptoms high content testosterone in the body:

Accelerated hair appearance - and not only above the upper lip, but also on other parts of the face, on the chest. The existing hairs on the legs and arms become thicker, and many new hairs appear. The hair on your head quickly becomes oily.
Dry, flaky and cracked skin, acne appears.
The voice becomes rougher and sounds like a man's.
The body becomes similar to the body of a man, muscle mass is gained, and weight increases.
There is a desire to increase physical and sexual activity.
Signs of aggression appear, and for no apparent reason.

How to downgrade?

top scores demonstrates a combination of several measures to lower the hormone. Experts advise carefully studying your diet and, if necessary, revising it. You will have to temporarily abandon the diet; you should include in your diet all the substances necessary for life: proteins, fats, carbohydrates. In addition to vegetables, you should consume foods such as meat, fish, seafood, which contain vitamins, microelements, phosphorus, iron, calcium, and potassium.

To normalize hormone levels, doctors advise doing sports - fitness, yoga. This is especially useful if you have to give up your diet: movement will allow you to burn extra calories without harming the body. Regular yoga and fitness classes will help restore hormonal balance without the use of medications.

If it is impossible to reduce hormone production using the methods described above, doctors will prescribe treatment. folk remedies. In some cases it is necessary to resort to hormone therapy. It has been proven that such healing herbs like vitex, black cohosh, licorice root, evening primrose and others are able to normalize the hormonal balance in a woman’s body.

Signs of Low Testosterone Levels

If testosterone in women is contained in small quantities, they experience muscle and psychological fatigue, and these phenomena begin to wear chronic nature. The intimate sphere suffers especially: due to hormonal imbalance, a woman stops producing vaginal secretions: sex begins to bring unpleasant sensations. In addition, the following signs are observed low level testosterone:

Decrease in the amount of hair throughout the body.
Decrease in muscle mass, constant feeling weaknesses.
Increase in fat layer under the skin.
Dry skin.
Lack of sexual desire.
Bad mood turning into depression.

How to increase when there is a shortage?

If you suspect a lack of testosterone, you should not start taking hormonal medications on your own; this is dangerous to your health. If necessary, the doctor will prescribe medical supplies, such as propionate or any other containing sufficient bioavailable testosterone. But before that, the doctor will definitely prescribe necessary research, based on the results of which therapy is prescribed. For normalization hormonal balance We also recommend taking the following measures:

Eat foods containing large amounts of zinc - seafood, nuts, dietary chicken.
Eat foods that contain necessary for the body fats and amino acids – seafood, vegetable oil, nuts, seeds, olives.
Try to get rid of excess fat.
Reduce the content of estrogen and xenoestrogens in the body. To do this, try to eat foods of natural origin, without pesticides and hormones.

Is treatment possible without hormones?

Treatment for testosterone deficiency or excess depends on the cause of the disease. Thus, there are often cases when hormonal imbalance called poor nutrition, strict diets, alcoholism. If you start eating right, include in your diet useful material and exclude harmful ones, there are some chances to increase or decrease testosterone levels in the body. In many cases, taking pills and other drugs for natural basis will help eliminate hormonal imbalance. But in some cases it is impossible to do without taking hormones.

Almost all testosterone in a woman’s body is bound to proteins, only its small part is found freely in the blood. That's why do 2 types of tests to determine androgen levels:

on total testosterone, which takes into account both free and protein-bound hormones;
for free.

The level of female testosterone depends on age, time of day, day of the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, physical activity, and intake of certain medicines, lifestyle and some other factors. In the morning its amount increases, in the evening it decreases.

The content of the hormone decreases in old age and increases after physical exercise.

What value is considered normal?

How much testosterone should a woman normally have?

Testosterone levels may vary from laboratory to laboratory. On average, the rate of free testosterone in fertile women ranges from 0.45 nmol/l to 3.75 nmol/l.

Deviations from these values (3-4 times) are observed during ovulation and pregnancy, in all other cases they may indicate the presence of pathologies of the endocrine system.

The rate of total testosterone ranges from 0.24 nmol/l to 2.7 nmol/l in women of fertile age, and during menopause it decreases.

Reasons for deviations

An increase in free testosterone levels can be observed in the presence of:

pregnancy and ovulation;
hereditary factors;
ovarian tumors;
due to poor nutrition;
due to taking anabolic steroids;
as a result of long-term hormonal therapy or taking contraceptives;
chronic diseases;
abnormalities in the functioning of the adrenal glands.

With the onset of pregnancy, a placenta forms in a woman’s body. Its cells produce additional testosterone, as a result of which during this period the amount of total testosterone increases, which refers to physiological norm. The most dangerous periods in this regard are the periods from 4 to 8 weeks of pregnancy and from 13 to 23. During these periods, testosterone increases as much as possible, which can provoke a miscarriage.

A very interesting discovery was made by Filipino doctors. It turned out that not only in women, but also in men who become fathers, testosterone levels also decrease. The results of blood tests of 624 men studied showed that androgen levels in new fathers decreased over a period of 5 years. Men who care for children at least 3 hours a day have even less testosterone. So, according to research, caring for young children helps suppress the production of this hormone.

Modern psychologists are sounding the alarm that an increase in the level of male hormone in women is provoked by morality modern society. Women are increasingly working in leadership positions, are involved in politics and business, and are moving to more late dates birth of children. The result is physiological changes in the female body.

Level determination tests

To determine androgen levels, it is necessary to donate blood from a vein.(in some cases, saliva is tested). In a woman’s body, only 2% is free testosterone, 44% is associated with globulin (SHBG), 54% is associated with albumin and other proteins.

Laboratory studies take into account all testosterone conditions, because the ratio of hormone fractions at various pathologies and conditions changes and is informative during illness.

If there is a suspicion of a deviation from the norm, the doctor prescribes a test for total testosterone, and if a deviation is detected, a test for SHBG.

When analyzing the amount of free testosterone, its increased or reduced level if the general condition is normal, it also speaks of an imbalance.

Each hormonal laboratory uses various techniques. That's why Androgen level is determined in different units of measurement: ng/ml, ng/dl, nmol/l.

Sometimes situations arise when it is necessary to compare data from different tests in one patient, done in different places, and differing in units of measurement. For these purposes, special calculators have been developed for recalculating units of measurement.

Table of androgen indicators depending on age

The level of free testosterone varies depending on age. To make it easier to navigate the normal values, a special table has been compiled. What should the free androgen index be for the fair sex?

Normal androgen levels in girls:

10-14 years more than 0.98 nmol/g;
14-17 years within 0.36-1.54 nmol/g;
17-20 years within 0.49-1.70 nmol/g;
over 20 years old 0.52-1.72 nmol/g.

Total testosterone does not depend on age and normally ranges from 0.26 to 1.3 ng/ml.

However, hormone levels change during fertile age and throughout the month. For women of childbearing age, its level normally corresponds to:

acceptable values – 0.45–3.75 nmol/l;
average values – 0.29-3.18 pg/ml;
follicle formation phase (on days 1-7 of the cycle) – 0.45-3.17 pg/ml;
ovulation phase – 0.46-2.48 pg/ml;
at the end of the cycle – 0.29-1.73 pg/ml.

What are the dangers of a lack or excess of a hormone in the blood?

Free testosterone in amounts below normal is considered a pathology, since it leads to various diseases. It may indicate the following problems:

May develop renal failure. Women with androgen deficiency are often depressed, get tired quickly, suffer from excessive sweating, do not feel sexual desire, and their hair, skin, and nails suffer.

Excess androgen causes menstrual cycle disruptions, infertility, acne on the skin, craving for increased physical activity, and excessive sexual activity in women.

WITH low testosterone female body cannot build muscle and burn fat.

Conclusion

To summarize, we can conclude that testosterone for women is very significant hormone. It can greatly influence the activity of all systems and individual organs. Ladies should never forget to monitor their hormone levels in order to avoid hormonal imbalances and more severe subsequent health problems.