Testosterone is a male hormone that can be measured through a blood test. According to the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, a female whose blood testosterone measures 30 to 95 nanograms per dL indicates a high testosterone level, though individual labs may have slight variations in what is considered "normal." Although all females have testosterone, high levels of the hormone have been linked to several health conditions.
Insulin Resistance
Prolonged exposure to testosterone can lead to insulin resistance, notes researchers in the "Journal of Endocrinology" in 2007. Australian researchers took samples of adipose tissue from healthy women volunteers aged 32 to 42, then treated the samples in vitro to 48 hours of testosterone and androgen receptor agonists. The skin cells had significantly altered sensitivity to insulin, leading researchers to conclude that androgens, hormones responsible for developing male characteristics, may also alter insulin resistance.
Depression
High levels of testosterone can lead to depression and a low sense of well-being, states the German scientific journal "Maturitas". High androgen levels pre- and post-birth may contribute to post-partum depression. In 2010, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh also found that menopausal women with high levels of testosterone were at greater risk for developing depression.
Masculine Characteristics
Testosterone therapy when used in excess can lead to the development of masculine characteristics, warns the Jean Hailes Foundation for Women's Health (AU). Side effects may include acne and excess body hair, scalp hair loss, fluid retention, deepening of the voice, enlargement of the clitoris and adverse effects on blood cholesterol. The Foundation cautions that levels of appropriate testosterone supplementation can vary for each individual.
References
- National Institutes of Health: Testosterone
- Journal of Endocrinology: Chronic Testosterone Treatment Induces Selective Insulin Resistance in Subcutaneous Adipocytes of Women
- Maturitas: The Impact of Testosterone Imbalance on Depression and Women's Health
- PsychCentral.com: High Testosterone May Worsen Depression During Menopause
- Jean Hailes Foundation for Women's Health: Testosterone Therapy for Women
