About why it is so important to know your level of testosterone when it is time to take tests and how to do it.
Why know your level of testosterone
Testosterone is involved in many processes of the body: regulates sexual behavior in both sexes, stimulates the increase in muscle mass, supports bone density, affects the metabolism of fats.
Hormonal imbalance can cause many problems, including excess weight, decrease in sex drive, and even memory deterioration. Having recognized the signs of low testosterone, you can take measures to normalize it and solve your health problems.
How to determine the level of testosterone by indirect signs
There are several indirect features by which it can be determined that your testosterone level has fallen or, conversely, has risen too much.
Signs of reduced testosterone
Libido decrease
Low level of testosterone is often the reason for a decrease in libido in men.
Men with a low testosterone want sex less, because of which they can experience problems with an erection, masturbate less and do not experience erotic fantasies.
As for women, a decrease in sexual desire along with a decrease in testosterone levels is especially noticeable after the onset of menopause, however, testosterone therapy rarely gives positive results. The best results were obtained with the joint use of testosterone and estrogen.
Excess weight
Testosterone is associated with a high amount of fat in the body of a man.
A decrease in testosterone increases the activity of the enzyme lipoproteinlipase, on which the concentration of lipids in the blood depends and their transportation to visceral fat – reserves around internal organs.
In women, both increased and reduced levels of testosterone with low estradiol (female sex hormone) can cause obesity.
Depression
If you have a bad mood all the time, there is no strength and energy, perhaps it is a low level of testoster1.
Scientists have found that in men in depression the level of testosterone is reduced. And although it is still unknown what is the root cause, hormonal therapy is quite effective for the treatment of depression, especially in the elderly.
In women, a decrease in the amount of testosterone also leads to a lack of energy, depression, constant fatigue and poor mood.
Loss of muscle mass
If in the gym you cannot raise weights that you easily worked some time ago, while you did not stop training and eat well, perhaps the amount of testoster1.
The loss of muscle mass is directly related to a reduced level of testoster1.
An increase in the amount of testosterone leads to increased synthesis of muscle cells. For example, an additional administration of 3 mg of testosterone per 1 kg of weight once a week for 12 weeks increases the synthesis of muscle mass by 27%.
Unwillingness to achieve your goal after failure
If after failure your hands are dropped, perhaps the matter is not at all in character.
The desire of a man to compete after losing and achieve his goals after failures depends on the level of testoster1. Since this is very important for success in any business, the level of testosterone can become a decisive factor in achieving success.
Memory deterioration
The lack of testosterone can adversely affect the memory of both men and women.
In a large scientific review of 2015, scientists concluded that testosterone definitely affects memory, but a particular action depends on gender, age, presence of diseases and hormonal background.
For example, testosterone injections help improve spatial memory in healthy young women, but combined with estrogen worsens verbal memory in women with menopause.
At the same time, testosterone improves spatial and verbal memory in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
If you do not remember words well or cannot find some place, although you have been there several times, perhaps the case is hormones.
Signs of increased testosterone
Although everyone strives to increase the level of testosterone, the too high level of this hormone also negatively affects the body. Particularly increased production of testosterone beats in female health.
Skin problems
The increased level of male sex hormones in women increases the production of sebum and provokes acne rash.
In addition, increased testosterone can cause follicular hyperkeratosis, or “goose skin”. This is a disease in which skin exfoliation is disturbed, its upper layer coarses and blushes.
In this case, acne is associated with a high level of androgens not only in women, but also in men.
Aggressiveness and recklessness
Testosterone provides confidence and motivation, but when there are too many, positive qualities are replaced by negative.
Testosterone activates the subcortical areas of the brain that are responsible for aggressive behavior, while cortisol and serotonin act as antagonists and reduce the effect of testoster1. In prisoners and criminals who have committed violent acts, the level of testosterone is usually higher, therefore they are prone to manifesting aggression.
But even if it concerns a completely civilized and adequate person, increased testosterone makes you take risks and make decisions rash, relying on the first thing that comes to mind.
Menstrual cycle failures
In women, a high level of testosterone is often manifested in the form of failures in the menstrual cycle. This dependence is observed regardless of the presence or absence of diseases.
So, indirect features can indicate an increased or reduced level of testosterone, but you can definitely find out by doing this by doing.
What test for testosterone to take
There are two types of analysis for testosterone levels. This is due to the fact that testosterone in the human body can be in a free or related state. Free testosterone is bioactive and affects the receptors, and the globulin or albumin associated with special proteins remains in reserve.
The connection of testosterone with globulin is very strong. Globulin is produced in the liver and binds most of the testosterone in our body. But the albumin holds testosterone not so tight, this connection is also called conditionally free.
When laboratory tests are carried out, the total amount of testosterone in the body is determined (free and related).
There are also tests at the level of free testosterone, but since it is very small (about 1-2%), it is quite difficult to calculate its number. Therefore, first, go through the analysis for the overall level of testoster1. If it is really reduced or increased, the doctor may prescribe a test to the level of free.
How to get a test to testosterone level
You can contact a state or private clinic and donate blood from a vein to determine the level of testoster1. To make your results accurate, follow several rules:
- If you take hormonal drugs, consult your doctor about the possibility of their temporary cancellation in 48 hours to pass the analysis.
- 12 hours before analysis, it is recommended to refrain from smoking, alcohol, fatty foods and physical activity.
- If you cannot refuse smoking for 12 hours, do not smoke at least 30 minutes before blood donation.
- Women donate blood to testosterone on 2-5 days of menstruation.
- Take tests in the morning on an empty stomach, up to 11 hours.
What level is considered the norm
To decipher the results, indicators are compared with standard. We will give standards for different ages from the Mayo clinic. The norms are indicated in nanograms for deciliter. If in your analysis form a different value is indicated, for example, milligrams per deciliter, you can convert values here.
General testosterone in men
| Age, years | Testosterone level, NG/DL |
| 10–11 | 7–130 |
| 12–13 | 7-800 |
| 14 | 7–1 200 |
| 15–16 | 100-1,200 |
| 17–18 | 300–1 200 |
| From 19 years old | 240–950 |
According to the study, in more than 3,000 men aged 40 to 79 years, changes in testosterone level become noticeable when the hormone level drops below 320 ng/dl.
General testosterone in women
| Age, years | Number of testosterone, ng/dl |
| 10–11 | 7–44 |
| 12–16 | 7–75 |
| 17–18 | 20–75 |
| More than 19 | 8-60 |
Free testosterone in men
| Age, years | Number of testosterone, ng/dl |
| 10-15 | 0.04–17.7 |
| 15–20 | 1.62–21.2 |
| 20–25 | 5.25–20.7 |
| 25-30 | 5.05-19.8 |
| 30–35 | 4,85-19.0 |
| 35–40 | 4.65–18.1 |
| 40–45 | 4,46-17.1 |
| 45-50 | 4,26–16.4 |
| 50–55 | 4,06–15.6 |
| 55–60 | 3.87-14.7 |
| 60–65 | 3.67–13.9 |
| 65–70 | 3.47–13.0 |
| 70–75 | 3.28–12.2 |
Free testosterone in women
| Age, years | Number of testosterone ng/dl |
| 10-15 | 0.04–1.09 |
| 15–20 (19) | 0.04–1.09 (0.04–1.08) |
| 20–25 | 0.06–1.08 |
| 25-30 | 0.06–1.06 |
| 30–35 | 0.06–1.03 |
| 35–40 | 0.06–1.00 |
| 40–45 | 0.06-0.98 |
| 45-50 | 0.06-0.95 |
| 50–55 | 0.06-0.92 |
| 55–60 | 0.06-0.90 |
| 60–65 | 0.06-0.87 |
| 65–70 | 0.06-0.84 |
| 70–75 | 0.06-0.82 |
What to do with the results of analyzes
If your testosterone is lower than the norm for your age group, you should go to the doctor. Perhaps he will prescribe hormonal therapy. If the level of testosterone fits into normal, but the libido and the figure leave much to be desired, you can independently increase the level of testosterone, following simple rules.
Why know your level of testosterone
Testosterone is involved in many processes of the body: regulates sexual behavior in both sexes, stimulates the increase in muscle mass, supports bone density, affects the metabolism of fats.
Hormonal imbalance can cause many problems, including excess weight, decrease in sex drive, and even memory deterioration. Having recognized the signs of low testosterone, you can take measures to normalize it and solve your health problems.
How to determine the level of testosterone by indirect signs
There are several indirect features by which it can be determined that your testosterone level has fallen or, conversely, has risen too much.
Signs of reduced testosterone
Libido decrease
Low level of testosterone is often the reason for a decrease in libido in men.
Men with a low testosterone want sex less, because of which they can experience problems with an erection, masturbate less and do not experience erotic fantasies.
As for women, a decrease in sexual desire along with a decrease in testosterone levels is especially noticeable after the onset of menopause, however, testosterone therapy rarely gives positive results. The best results were obtained with the joint use of testosterone and estrogen.
Excess weight
Testosterone is associated with a high amount of fat in the body of a man.
A decrease in testosterone increases the activity of the enzyme lipoproteinlipase, on which the concentration of lipids in the blood depends and their transportation to visceral fat – reserves around internal organs.
In women, both increased and reduced levels of testosterone with low estradiol (female sex hormone) can cause obesity.
Depression
If you have a bad mood all the time, there is no strength and energy, perhaps it is a low level of testoster1.
Scientists have found that in men in depression the level of testosterone is reduced. And although it is still unknown what is the root cause, hormonal therapy is quite effective for the treatment of depression, especially in the elderly.
In women, a decrease in the amount of testosterone also leads to a lack of energy, depression, constant fatigue and poor mood.
Loss of muscle mass
If in the gym you cannot raise weights that you easily worked some time ago, while you did not stop training and eat well, perhaps the amount of testoster1.
The loss of muscle mass is directly related to a reduced level of testoster1.
An increase in the amount of testosterone leads to increased synthesis of muscle cells. For example, an additional administration of 3 mg of testosterone per 1 kg of weight once a week for 12 weeks increases the synthesis of muscle mass by 27%.
Unwillingness to achieve your goal after failure
If after failure your hands are dropped, perhaps the matter is not at all in character.
The desire of a man to compete after losing and achieve his goals after failures depends on the level of testoster1. Since this is very important for success in any business, the level of testosterone can become a decisive factor in achieving success.
Memory deterioration
The lack of testosterone can adversely affect the memory of both men and women.
In a large scientific review of 2015, scientists concluded that testosterone definitely affects memory, but a particular action depends on gender, age, presence of diseases and hormonal background.
For example, testosterone injections help improve spatial memory in healthy young women, but combined with estrogen worsens verbal memory in women with menopause.
At the same time, testosterone improves spatial and verbal memory in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
If you do not remember words well or cannot find some place, although you have been there several times, perhaps the case is hormones.
Signs of increased testosterone
Although everyone strives to increase the level of testosterone, the too high level of this hormone also negatively affects the body. Particularly increased production of testosterone beats in female health.
Skin problems
The increased level of male sex hormones in women increases the production of sebum and provokes acne rash.
In addition, increased testosterone can cause follicular hyperkeratosis, or “goose skin”. This is a disease in which skin exfoliation is disturbed, its upper layer coarses and blushes.
In this case, acne is associated with a high level of androgens not only in women, but also in men.
Aggressiveness and recklessness
Testosterone provides confidence and motivation, but when there are too many, positive qualities are replaced by negative.
Testosterone activates the subcortical areas of the brain that are responsible for aggressive behavior, while cortisol and serotonin act as antagonists and reduce the effect of testoster1. In prisoners and criminals who have committed violent acts, the level of testosterone is usually higher, therefore they are prone to manifesting aggression.
But even if it concerns a completely civilized and adequate person, increased testosterone makes you take risks and make decisions rash, relying on the first thing that comes to mind.
Menstrual cycle failures
In women, a high level of testosterone is often manifested in the form of failures in the menstrual cycle. This dependence is observed regardless of the presence or absence of diseases.
So, indirect features can indicate an increased or reduced level of testosterone, but you can definitely find out by doing this by doing.
What test for testosterone to take
There are two types of analysis for testosterone levels. This is due to the fact that testosterone in the human body can be in a free or related state. Free testosterone is bioactive and affects the receptors, and the globulin or albumin associated with special proteins remains in reserve.
The connection of testosterone with globulin is very strong. Globulin is produced in the liver and binds most of the testosterone in our body. But the albumin holds testosterone not so tight, this connection is also called conditionally free.
When laboratory tests are carried out, the total amount of testosterone in the body is determined (free and related).
There are also tests at the level of free testosterone, but since it is very small (about 1-2%), it is quite difficult to calculate its number. Therefore, first, go through the analysis for the overall level of testoster1. If it is really reduced or increased, the doctor may prescribe a test to the level of free.
How to get a test to testosterone level
You can contact a state or private clinic and donate blood from a vein to determine the level of testoster1. To make your results accurate, follow several rules:
- If you take hormonal drugs, consult your doctor about the possibility of their temporary cancellation in 48 hours to pass the analysis.
- 12 hours before analysis, it is recommended to refrain from smoking, alcohol, fatty foods and physical activity.
- If you cannot refuse smoking for 12 hours, do not smoke at least 30 minutes before blood donation.
- Women donate blood to testosterone on 2-5 days of menstruation.
- Take tests in the morning on an empty stomach, up to 11 hours.
What level is considered the norm
To decipher the results, indicators are compared with standard. We will give standards for different ages from the Mayo clinic. The norms are indicated in nanograms for deciliter. If in your analysis form a different value is indicated, for example, milligrams per deciliter, you can convert values here.
General testosterone in men
| Age, years | Testosterone level, NG/DL |
| 10–11 | 7–130 |
| 12–13 | 7-800 |
| 14 | 7–1 200 |
| 15–16 | 100-1,200 |
| 17–18 | 300–1 200 |
| From 19 years old | 240–950 |
According to the study, in more than 3,000 men aged 40 to 79 years, changes in testosterone level become noticeable when the hormone level drops below 320 ng/dl.
General testosterone in women
| Age, years | Number of testosterone, ng/dl |
| 10–11 | 7–44 |
| 12–16 | 7–75 |
| 17–18 | 20–75 |
| More than 19 | 8-60 |
Free testosterone in men
| Age, years | Number of testosterone, ng/dl |
| 10-15 | 0.04–17.7 |
| 15–20 | 1.62–21.2 |
| 20–25 | 5.25–20.7 |
| 25-30 | 5.05-19.8 |
| 30–35 | 4,85-19.0 |
| 35–40 | 4.65–18.1 |
| 40–45 | 4,46-17.1 |
| 45-50 | 4,26–16.4 |
| 50–55 | 4,06–15.6 |
| 55–60 | 3.87-14.7 |
| 60–65 | 3.67–13.9 |
| 65–70 | 3.47–13.0 |
| 70–75 | 3.28–12.2 |
Free testosterone in women
| Age, years | Number of testosterone ng/dl |
| 10-15 | 0.04–1.09 |
| 15–20 (19) | 0.04–1.09 (0.04–1.08) |
| 20–25 | 0.06–1.08 |
| 25-30 | 0.06–1.06 |
| 30–35 | 0.06–1.03 |
| 35–40 | 0.06–1.00 |
| 40–45 | 0.06-0.98 |
| 45-50 | 0.06-0.95 |
| 50–55 | 0.06-0.92 |
| 55–60 | 0.06-0.90 |
| 60–65 | 0.06-0.87 |
| 65–70 | 0.06-0.84 |
| 70–75 | 0.06-0.82 |
What to do with the results of analyzes
If your testosterone is lower than the norm for your age group, you should go to the doctor. Perhaps he will prescribe hormonal therapy. If the level of testosterone fits into normal, but the libido and the figure leave much to be desired, you can independently increase the level of testosterone, following simple rules.