Testosterone is a sex hormone secreted by the testes in males and the ovaries in females. Both sexes also produce testosterone in the adrenal glands. Testosterone levels are typically 10 times higher in males compared to females. Ironically, the level of testosterone in men decreases with age and increases in females. Women can experience an abnormally high level of testosterone.
Function
Testosterone is responsible for the growth of the male sex organs, facial hair, building muscle mass, sperm production and the deep male voice. In females it is responsible for sex drive, boosting strength and decreasing body fat. WellnessMD reports that when testosterone levels are too low, both sexes suffer from decreased energy levels, impaired memory, diminished sex libido and spacial disorientation.
Ranges
According to the National Institutes of Health, NIH, the normal range of testosterone for women is 30 to 95 monograms per deciliter, ng/dL, and 300 to 1,200 ng/dL for men. In women, the levels of testosterone in the blood are usually at their lowest during the adolescent years. As women age, the level of testosterone increases, while the level of estrogen, the female sex hormone, decreases. Female testosterone levels are at their highest in pre- and post-menopausal women. Elevated testosterone levels can be beneficial for women by increasing sex drive. However, elevated levels can also bring on unpleasant side effects for women.
Symptoms
If a female has too much testosterone, she can suffer from balding, acne, increased perspiration, an increase in facial hair growth, weight gain, aggressiveness, a deepening voice and irregular menstrual cycles. The build of the body can also change, becoming more muscular, like a man's.
Causes
There are many reasons that may lead to an elevated testosterone level in women. These include hormonal problems, adrenal gland problems, polycystic ovaries and ovarian tumors. Cushing's, dwarfism and uterine cancer can also cause an increased testosterone level. Medications such as steroids and Dilantin can also increase testosterone levels.
Evaluation
The most common way to evaluate the levels of testosterone is through a blood draw. According to the NIH, the most common reasons for evaluating testosterone levels are for the early onset of puberty for males, impotence, infertility or the onset of male characteristics in a female. Testosterone therapy is available for those who have a decreased level; however, research is limited on long-term therapy and its effects. There are no treatment options for elevated testosterone levels in females aside from birth control pills.
