Emotional symptoms are often the hardest to connect to hormone levels because they're so easy to attribute to stress, relationship problems, work pressure, or just having a bad week. The combination of high testosterone and high estrogen can create particularly challenging mood symptoms that don't fit the typical profile of either hormone in isolation. When testosterone levels are too high or fluctuating dramatically, such as with certain injection protocols that create peaks and valleys, emotional regulation can suffer. If you don't currently have a doctor who understands hormone management and cardiovascular monitoring, finding one should be a priority. This means not just checking testosterone itself, but also monitoring hematocrit, the percentage of your blood made up of red blood cells, along with blood pressure, cholesterol, and other cardiovascular markers. High testosterone increases red blood cell production through a process called erythrocytosis. They will assess your symptoms and test your testosterone levels to help provide a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan, if necessary. The designation of "healthy range" for testosterone levels depends on age and laboratory assay. Females typically have much lower testosterone levels than males. Testosterone is the main male hormone, but females also need it for healthy body functioning. Many men with elevated testosterone report significant sleep disturbances, particularly frequent nighttime waking, restless sleep, and a feeling of being wired despite physical exhaustion. If you're on TRT or using other hormones, schedule a conversation with your prescribing clinician as soon as possible. High testosterone related aggression can strain relationships, create problems at work, and even lead to risky or reckless behavior. But when levels climb too high, the same neurological pathways can become hyperactive, making you quicker to anger, more irritable, and less able to modulate aggressive impulses. Seeing an abnormal test result may kick off alarm bells in your mind. They may also recommend a laboratory testosterone test. You shouldn’t try to self-diagnose a testosterone issue. Pharmacies and various companies may sell at-home testosterone tests. Other factors, like certain medications and existing health conditions, can affect your test results. You may have slight tenderness or a bruise at the site of the blood draw. Blood tests are a very common and essential part of medical testing. In regard to therapies for women with low T levels, there is very limited research on the topic. Menopause is often the reason why women experience a change in their sex drive. Menopause, which occurs as a woman ages, can lead to a lower amount of testosterone produced by the ovaries. Aging plays a crucial role in the development of low testosterone or testosterone deficiency in women. Excess testosterone affects your body differently depending on your sex and age. The two charts below list the general normal ranges of testosterone based on age and sex. If any of these organs — your hypothalamus, pituitary gland or gonads — aren’t working normally, that can cause abnormal testosterone levels. Your body controls the levels of testosterone in your blood. However, the majority of testosterone produced in the ovaries is converted to the primary female sex hormone, estradiol. Healthcare providers use synthetic testosterone to treat and manage various medical conditions. If testosterone levels are too high or too low, it can cause certain symptoms. Testosterone increases the production of sebum, the oily substance that lubricates skin. You might notice breakouts on your face, but high testosterone often causes acne on the back, shoulders, and chest as well, areas rich in sebaceous glands that respond to androgens. Adult acne, especially when it appears suddenly or worsens dramatically, can be a telltale sign of elevated testosterone. Too much testosterone can also cause hypertension, or high blood pressure (8). Elevated levels can also strain the heart cause other muscles and ligaments damage. Too much estrogen in a male body is not a good thing; it can cause erectile dysfunction, or low libido." "Your body will start converting excess testosterone into estrogen to help compensate," says McDevitt. On the other hand, free testosterone is floating around your body, ready to be recruited by your cells. There may be extra risks for women with cardiovascular or liver disease, or certain types of cancer. Testosterone levels are measured and reported as nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). Not all men may be candidates for this type of treatment. Doctors may prescribe medications that contain testosterone such as While this decrease may not be noticeable in some men, others may experience significant changes starting in their middle-aged years or more commonly at age 60 and above. When the testosterone level becomes out of balance, it usually becomes too low rather than too elevated.