Testosterone is the predominant sex hormone in males. Testosterone is responsible for the physical changes that males experience in puberty. This hormone is present in females but in a much smaller concentration. In females, the adrenal glands produce precursor hormones that the body converts to testosterone. Axillary and pubic hair in females are maintained by testosterone.
Regulation Of Testosterone In Women
The adrenal glands make testosterone in females, and the pituitary gland in the brain controls it. When the production of hormones from the adrenal glands is less than normal, the pituitary gland stimulates the adrenal glands to make more; when there is too much, the pituitary gland does nothing. This mechanism of control is called negative feedback. This type of control commonly occurs in the regulation of hormones.
Symptoms of Elevated Testosterone
Excess hair growth, acne, irregular menses and infertility are direct effects common with elevated testosterone. In transgender females who use testosterone, symptoms including facial hair growth and deepening of the voice are desired. Fatty acids including triglycerides and LDL cholesterol are also elevated. Elevated fatty acids lead to deposition of cholesterol in blood vessels, leading to elevated blood pressures.
Non-Disease Causes
The abuse of anabolic steroids in females elevates testosterone. Females engaged in bodybuilding sometimes abuse anabolic steroids. A normal female has a negligible concentration of testosterone in comparison to a male. It's difficult for females to gain muscle mass because of this fact.
Transgender people use testosterone to finalize their transformations from female to male.
Disease Causes
Polycystic ovary syndrome begins at puberty with elevated testosterone. High testosterone in females prevents final development of follicles in ovaries. Lack of a menstrual cycle and excess hair growth are common in these females. Obesity is associated with this syndrome.
In congenital adrenal hyperplasia, the adrenal gland cannot produce steroids that normally regulate salt and sugar in the body. This condition favors the production of testosterone. The adrenal glands continue making testosterone because of constant stimulation from the pituitary gland.
Tumors in the pituitary gland also increase testosterone. In a child, early puberty is sometimes a result of a tumor in the brain.
Normal Laboratory Values
Testosterone normally ranges from 30 to 95 nanograms per deciliter of blood in females. In males, it ranges from 300 to 1,200 nanograms per deciliter of blood.
References
- PubMed.gov: Serum lipoprotein lipid profile in women with the polycystic ovary syndrome
- PubMed.gov: Current approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome in youth
- National Center for Biotechnology Information: Endocrinology 2001-Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- MedlinePlus: Testosterone
- National Center for Biotechnology Information: Cancer Medicine 6--Tumors Producing Hypothalamic Hormones
- National Center for Biotechnology Information: Excess adrenal androgens: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH)
