Increased testosterone in women. Causes and consequences of hormonal imbalance

Testosterone belongs to the group of androgens, making up the bulk of all male sex hormones. IN female body its contents 70% less. The hormone is produced by the testes in men, and by the ovaries in women, only a small part of it is synthesized by the adrenal cortex. The concentration of testosterone directly depends on a person’s age, his life and clinical history.

Increased concentrations of the hormone occur in women much more often than in men and in clinical medicine is called hyperandrogenism. Symptoms of the disease are practically on the surface, always expressed clearly, without hidden current. Hormonal imbalance makes adjustments not only to physical health woman, but also in her psycho-emotional state.

Causes

An increase in free testosterone occurs in a number of internal and external factors. Exogenous factors usually influence hormonal background women through food products And environment. Considered endogenous age characteristics, pregnancy and lactation, chronic diseases organs or systems.

If there is a hormone imbalance temporary nature, then this is unlikely to affect general condition health, however, if increased testosterone is systemic in nature, then complications will not keep you waiting. The main causes of increased testosterone in women are:

kidney pathologies ( functional disorders adrenal cortex);

long-term drug treatment, inadequate drug therapy;

oncological processes in the body;

damage to the ovaries of any origin;

fibroids or uterine polyposis;

hyper- or hypothyroidism and dysfunction endocrine system;

heredity;

Cushing's syndrome, Conn's (with excessive concentration of glucocorticoids);

alcoholism, drug addiction.

History of diabetes mellitus, rare genetic diseases are also indirect causes of hyperandrogenism. If the imbalance of the hormone volume is stable for more than a year, then the first symptomatic manifestations appear.

Symptoms

Usually a woman feels internal breakdowns in her own body, especially when it comes to negative changes in appearance And psycho-emotional state. When the first symptoms appear, it is important to consult a doctor for full examination of hormonal levels and health in general. The first doctor is a gynecologist, after which consultations with an endocrinologist and other specialists in the recommended profile may be required.

The main symptoms are:

ovarian dysfunction;

amenorrhea, menstrual irregularities;

In the second case, when the girl becomes a woman physically and mentally, testosterone is also increased. In girls, with increased testosterone, increased aggressive behavior, there is a tendency towards suicide, oily skin with traces of acne, pimples, secondary sexual characteristics quickly appear.

Puberty is a difficult period in the life of any teenager. Parents should pay special attention to any changes in behavior and mental state child. When stored for a long time unpleasant symptoms Hormonal therapy is acceptable to normalize the ratio of androgens and estrogens.

Basic methods for reducing testosterone in women

Normally, the level of testosterone in the blood of a teenage girl reaches 3.09 pg/ml, in adult woman- 3.09 pg/ml, and from the age of 40 the testosterone level decreases significantly and after 60 years it barely reaches 1.8 pg/ml. After accurate diagnosis hyperandrogenism, Treatment tactics will depend entirely on the cause the occurrence of pathology.

Increased insulin

If testosterone is low due to high insulin levels, the following measures are recommended:

intensive physical exercise in the absence of contraindications (to increase tissue sensitivity to insulin and strengthen muscle structures);

T3 hormone replacement therapy to improve performance thyroid gland;

drug therapy to increase tissue sensitivity to insulin (alpha-amylase inhibitors, Metaformin, SGLT-2 inhibitors);

systematic course of dietary supplements (Berberine, magnesium, chromium, alpha-lipoic acid).

Replacement therapy can be lifelong, so women should be patient and understanding with the entire treatment process.

Changes in the ratio of estrogen and progesterone

Before starting therapy to reduce testosterone concentrations, it is recommended:

treatment of hypothyroidism if necessary (T4 analysis);

treatment of the liver in the presence of pathologies;

taking biodentical hormones;

regular intake of dietary supplements (bio-identical progesterone, methylsulfonylmethane).

Before starting treatment, any disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine system and liver structures should be excluded. Without professional diagnostics self-diagnosis impossible.

Adrenal diseases

If a woman has a previous clinical history of kidney problems, it is important to contact a nephrologist to examine the adrenal glands, which also produce testosterone. The following measures should be taken:

increasing the amount of salt consumed (preferably sea salt);

normalization of the emotional background (frequent walks, fresh air, sports, positive methods in psychology);

exclusion of alcohol, caffeine and tobacco;

stopping amphetamines;

normalization of sleep, rest and wakefulness (sleep should be at least 8 hours);

taking dietary supplements;

systemic treatment of kidney diseases (adequate replacement therapy).

Increasing the amount of salt will restore electrolyte balance, especially regarding sodium concentration. It is recommended to drink medicinal water daily mineral water, having previously released gas bubbles from it.

High leptin concentration

When diagnosing this state you will need to resort to the following measures:

therapeutic fasting;

reduction of carbohydrates and fructose in the diet;

compensation for thyroid diseases;

intense physical activity;

drugs that increase sensitivity to leptin;

Dietary supplements (Omega-3 fish fat, leucine, other additives).

The main drugs for the treatment of hyperandrogenism are Cyproterone, Digostin, Digitalis, Dexamethasone. It is important to understand that the start of treatment should be based on the data obtained laboratory research. For the final manifestation of hyperandrogenism, symptoms alone are not enough.

Consequences of increased testosterone

For a long time hormonal imbalance and persistent manifestation of hyperandrogenism in women, multiple problems appear, mainly associated with changes in figure, appearance, and voice. Often women discover high level testosterone when visiting a doctor about infertility or menstrual irregularities. Over time, a woman's figure resembles a man's, including her gait and manner of communication. The consequences of hormonal imbalance can be:

oncological diseases of the genital organs and mammary glands;

neoplasms in the uterine cavity (fibroids, polyps);

organ diseases reproductive system(endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome)g

pathological changes in the functioning of the heart and blood vessels;

diabetes and other endocrine disorders.

Against the background of serious hormonal disorders, a woman is unable to cope with her emotional anxiety, general emotional state, hence the appearance of aggression, hot temper, and persistent behavior. Sometimes changes even call into question a future adequate life. Depression, disorder sex life, sweating and hair growth - all this can serve as a signal for a violation of the secretion of testosterone in the female body.

Nature created man as a single, well-coordinated mechanism. Hormonal disorders are a very delicate area human body, but it is hormones that form the foundation of human health. For any violations, competent correction is important, which will not only improve well-being, but also maintain physical fitness and health.

Found only in the blood of men. However, it is not. It is also found in the female body. Deviation from the norm of testosterone in women entails Negative consequences, including for reproductive function. The reasons for the decrease and increase in hormone levels are different. Let's talk about this in more detail later.

Most people believe that testosterone is only found in the blood of men.

Testosterone levels in women are normal

The concentration of the hormone in the blood of women varies depending on external and internal influences. The level varies depending on the time of day (at morning hours the level is higher, in the evening – lower), age and phase of the menstrual cycle.

During pregnancy, hormonal levels increase and by the third trimester its value becomes 3-4 times higher than normal.

Testosterone can be found either in a protein-bound state or in a free state. The bound hormone is not metabolized and forms a pool (reserve). Its minimum concentration is observed in girls before puberty (0.05-1.8 pg/ml), the maximum is in puberty(4.1 pg/ml). The amount of free testosterone in women is about 2%.

When calculating hormone levels, both values are taken into account, since changes in the level and ratio of bound and unbound testosterone make it possible to determine correct diagnosis.

Testosterone in a woman’s body: functions

A change in the level of the hormone in question indicates the presence of a serious pathology in a woman’s body

What is testosterone responsible for in women? For what functions of the female body is it needed?

The androgenic group hormone in question is produced by the adrenal glands and ovaries. Smaller amounts are produced by the placenta and skin. The concentration of the hormone changes due to the work of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus. Testosterone in the female body is necessary for the following functions:

Formation of the egg in the ovaries.
Proper functioning of the reproductive system.
Increases muscle mass.
Formation of sufficient bone tissue density.
Regulating the amount of adipose tissue and work sebaceous glands.
Development of sexual desire.
Regulation of protein, phosphorus, nitrogen, lipoprotein metabolism.
Reducing the risk of developing heart and vascular diseases.
Endurance.
Resistance to stress.
Proper water exchange.
Blood sugar control.

How does abnormal testosterone manifest itself in women?

A change in the level of the hormone in question indicates the presence of a serious pathology in a woman’s body. Fluctuations in testosterone concentration are expressed various symptoms, if present, you should immediately visit a doctor and donate blood for hormones.

Excess hormone: causes, symptoms

Normally, the concentration increases after physical work. A pathological excess of testosterone in women threatens to disrupt the formation of the egg. This pathology has a name: “Hyperandrogenism.” Based on its origin, the disease is divided into ovarian and adrenal. The causes of the pathology may be the following:

neoplasm in the ovaries;
ovulatory phase of the cycle;
adrenal hyperplasia;
poor nutrition;
heredity;
pregnancy;
taking medications.

All of the above conditions, with the exception of pregnancy, require testing and treatment.

Pathological excess of testosterone in women threatens to disrupt the formation of the egg

Diagnosing hyperandrogenism is not difficult. The symptoms are as follows:

Increased sebum secretion.
The appearance of acne.
Menstrual irregularities.
Body type by male type.
The appearance of hair on the face and chest.
Deepening of the voice.
Increased aggressiveness.
Enlargement of the clitoris.
Increased physical activity.

Prolonged hyperandrogenism leads to dysfunction of the ovaries and threatens infertility.

Low testosterone in women: causes, symptoms

This pathology can provoke serious diseases: diabetes, osteoporosis, endometrial inflammation, breast tumors, heart and vascular disease.

The causes of low testosterone in women can be both endogenous (internal) and exogenous (external).

The causes of low testosterone in women can be both endogenous (internal) and exogenous (external)

TO endogenous reasons relate:

diseases of the adrenal glands, hypothalamus or pituitary gland;
endocrine diseases;
heredity;
ovarian tumors;
autoimmune pathology;
age-related changes.

Exogenous causes include the following:

eating food with high content magnesium or zinc;
unbalanced or unhealthy diet;
consumption of carbohydrates in large quantities;
alcohol consumption;
reception medicines(eg, contraceptives, antifungals, anticonvulsants);
weight gain;
high or low physical activity;
insufficient sunbathing;
insufficient sexual activity.

If a woman's testosterone is low, the following signs appear:

Brittle hair, nails, dry skin.
Obesity in the abdomen, neck and arms.
Decreased voice strength.
Depression.
Lack of sexual desire.
Irritability, tearfulness.
Decreased bone density.
Infertility.
Tachycardia.
Sweating.
Losing weight.
Sleep disturbance.
Decreased memory and attention

Drug therapy can only be prescribed by a doctor after testing

Treatment can be medication or with traditional methods. Drug therapy can only be prescribed by a doctor after testing. Self-Acceptance hormonal drugs can lead to severe consequences. Hormonal therapy involves the prescription of drugs (for example, Yarina, Digitalis).

If the reason for the change in hormone levels lies in the tumor, then the issue of surgical removal is considered.

To reduce the concentration of the hormone, the diet should be adjusted. Proteins, fats and carbohydrates must be balanced, but you cannot limit yourself in food. The diet should include vegetables, meat, and seafood. Exercising will help reduce the concentration of androgenic hormone. Herbal medicine will also help in solving this problem: vitex, licorice root, black cohosh. These herbs lead hormonal balance back to normal.

To reduce the concentration of the hormone, you should adjust your diet

At low hormonal level It is recommended to eat chicken meat, nuts, olives and fish. These products contain a lot of zinc, which is necessary to get rid of the disease. Products must be of natural origin and should not contain hormones.

Losing body weight can also help increase testosterone levels in women. If there is no effect from the listed measures, this indicates the need to prescribe testosterone-containing drugs. like this hormone therapy Only a doctor can prescribe it.

For successful treatment You must stop smoking and drinking alcohol.

A mountain of muscles, hair growth throughout the body, a deep voice - all these signs are associated with the concept of masculinity, and the male hormone testosterone is responsible for them. Mindless hobby anabolic steroids and some dietary supplements lead to too much testosterone in the body. Hormonal surges affect sexual behavior, mood and well-being, and sometimes cause illness. Let's consider what an imbalance can mean for a person.

Normal indicators

In the human body, the hormone exists in 2 forms: free testosterone (its share is no more than 2% of total number) and bound to plasma proteins (98%). It is free androgen that affects male strength and fertility.

The norms for total testosterone are: 11-33 nmol/l, free testosterone – 4.5-42 pg/ml.

The substance is produced by Leydig cells, which are located in the testes. The male hormone is produced in smaller quantities by the adrenal cortex.

Androgens work in several ways:

Increase libido and potency;
Helps sperm synthesis;
Participate in the formation of protein molecules and the accumulation of muscle mass;
Affect development skeletal system, calcium and nitrogen metabolism.

Any man can find out his potential; to do this, he should come to the laboratory and get tested. Please note: the amount of the substance constantly changes throughout the day, which should be taken into account when interpreting the results. Testosterone levels can be affected by increased physical activity, smoking, and emotional outbursts.

The highest level is detected in the morning, and in the evening the amount of androgen drops to a minimum value. Therefore, it is recommended to take tests before 11 a.m., on an empty stomach, in a calm state.

It is advisable to repeat the study several times to find out the exact picture of hormonal levels.

Signs of increase

Hormonal imbalance may not be dangerous if detected in young men during puberty. This is usually a temporary phenomenon and the amount of androgens stabilizes with age.

In adult men, increased testosterone manifests itself as follows:

aggressive behavior and sudden mood changes;
insomnia;
headache;
desire for frequent sexual intercourse;
prolonged erection;
increased hair growth throughout the body against the background of scalp baldness;
acne on the skin.

Typically, such men have well-developed muscles without a bit of excess fat, excessive hair growth on the back, chest, abdomen, limbs, stocky build.

A large release of hormones affects behavior: increased erection leads to frequent changes of partners. The man becomes aggressive and hot-tempered, seeking sexual intimacy. Over time, fatigue sets in, and high sexual activity is replaced by apathy, or even depression. Suicidal tendencies are possible.

Bodybuilders and professional athletes who take synthetic supplements and substances that stimulate testosterone synthesis are putting their health at risk. After their use, the production of one’s own androgens decreases, which can lead to dire consequences.

If an artificially synthesized hormone regularly enters the body, this leads to testicular atrophy, decreased sperm production, and infertility.

Where does excess testosterone come from?

The causes of hormonal imbalance can be both the most harmless (insufficient sleep, poor nutrition) and serious (adrenal gland diseases, genetic abnormalities). Since the testes and adrenal glands are responsible for the production of androgens, excessive activity of the glands leads to a number of diseases.

The following conditions may be the causes:

Ishchenko-Cushing's disease - a disorder of the adrenal glands caused by a tumor of the pituitary gland;
androgenital syndrome – congenital anomaly adrenal cortex;
prostate tumors;
testicular cancer;
resistance (insensitivity) to male sex hormones, a man with this pathology has an effeminate body type;
early puberty in boys - a pathology characterized by the presence of a large penis and underdevelopment of the testicles against the background of delayed mental maturation;
use of anabolic steroids.

Taking some medications can cause hormonal imbalance. Men taking uncontrolled Gonadotropin, Finasterine, Danazol, Mifepistone should regularly check their testosterone levels.

Health implications

Representatives of the stronger sex, having discovered high numbers in the analysis, do not always rush to see a doctor. Many people consider an increase in androgen a sign of their male power, meanwhile, an anomaly can lead to serious consequences.

Excessively high levels of androgens can provoke a number of pathological abnormalities:

liver diseases;
cardiovascular disorders ( arterial hypertension, heartache);
enlargement of the prostate gland, which leads to problems with urination;
sexual dysfunctions – premature ejaculation, erectile disfunction, impotence;
increased cholesterol;
changes in metabolism;
violation brain activity– deterioration of memory, attention;
High activity of the sebaceous glands contributes to the formation of acne.

High levels of testosterone in the blood can be both a cause and a consequence of prostate cancer. Due to its excess, the pituitary gland produces fewer hormones, which leads to problems in intimate sphere, decreased fertility, atrophy of the testes.

Men with high testosterone levels have a short life expectancy and age early.

Treatment

If an adult man shows signs of hyperandrogenism - enhanced growth hair, constant sexual desire, unusual aggressiveness, he should see a doctor and undergo the necessary tests.

When a doctor sees high androgen levels, he is first of all interested in whether the patient is taking any dietary supplements or synthetic analogues of androgens. It may be enough to stop using them for the hormonal levels to return to normal.

To reduce testosterone, your doctor may prescribe drug treatment. These may be drugs - luteinizing hormone agonists (Lupron, Goselerin). These substances are used to treat early puberty in young men, as well as prostate tumors. This hormonal medications, which have serious contraindications, therefore only an andrologist or endocrinologist should prescribe them.

Other medications reduce the amount of testosterone: Carbamezepine, Ketoconazole, Finasteride, Magnesia.

Patients need to reconsider their lifestyle, get enough sleep - at least 7 hours, and avoid stressful situations.

Long walks, jogging lower testosterone fresh air. From classes in gym worth refusing.

Sufficient attention is also paid to maintaining sexual hygiene: relationships with a partner should be regular, but not too frequent. You should not resort to masturbation.

Normalize hormonal status will help special diet With increased content phytoestrogens. These are substances that act like female sex hormones. They neutralize hyperandrogenism and metabolic disorders.

flaxseed and oil;
legumes: soy protein, beans, natural beans, lentils;
red grapes;
rich and tea;
grenades.

Diet includes dairy products high fat content, . Drinks you should give preference to: herbal decoctions based on clover, linden color, hop cones, licorice.

Prohibited foods include sugars and starches, as they significantly increase the level of the hormone in the body. Meat products are excluded for some time: they are a source of protein involved in the synthesis of androgens.

You should stick to this diet for no more than 10 days until your emotional and physical condition. In the future, you should eat foods with a high amount of estrogen only if signs of aggression, irritability, and intimate dysfunction recur. Long-term adherence to the diet can negatively affect health and lead to feminization.

If the anomaly is caused by an adrenal tumor androsteroma, a cure can only be achieved surgical treatment . After the operation, the hormonal levels stabilize and the growth stops. muscle tissue. Patients can expect a favorable prognosis.

An increase in testosterone is no less dangerous than its decrease. Excess androgens can result in decreased erection, impotence, prostate cancer, and more serious illnesses internal organs. Prescribing medications on your own without prior examination is extremely dangerous. To restore hormonal status, a man will need to change his lifestyle, and, if necessary, visit a doctor and undergo a course of treatment.

About high testosterone levels in women, by Westin Childs, a practicing physician and specialist in functional medicine. Childs maintains a blog for patients, writes as clearly as possible, shows printouts of the tests he relies on, and makes specific recommendations. For women suffering from hirsutism, this article is useful both in terms of content and as an illustration of the approach.

Weight gain, acne, hair loss (and hirsutism - approx. website) - do you have any of these? This is far from full list symptoms of high testosterone levels in the blood in women. Why are testosterone levels rising and what needs to be done to reduce them?

Any doctor can say that the concentration of testosterone is higher than normal, but few are ready to voice recommendations for solving the problem. To move towards normal life, you need to understand what exactly is happening to your body.

The problem here is that in 95% of cases, high testosterone is not a syndrome, but a symptom of another hormonal imbalance. Therefore, the main task is to find this imbalance and solve the problem associated with it - then the concentration of testosterone in the blood will decrease.

Symptoms of High Testosterone Levels

Before we move on to discussing the causes of high testosterone levels in the blood and how to correct it, we need to list the symptoms of this condition.

Symptoms are of key importance because each person’s body has its own normal limits. I've seen plenty of women with all the symptoms higher level testosterone, while their tests were only for upper limit norms. (Read how the concept of “norm” differs greatly for individuals, populations limited geographically, and humanity in general - approx. website)

So, the main symptoms of high testosterone:

Weight gain (especially rapid) or inability to lose it.
Hair loss, especially in male pattern and with normal thyroid hormone levels.
Acne, changes in oily skin and hair; Cystic acne is common, especially on the chin.
Mood changes: depression, irritability, anxiety, frequent change moods.
Other hormone imbalances: estrogen to progesterone ratio imbalance, thyroid hormone deficiency (Childs doesn't go into detail about this, so read my article on how - approx. website), excess adrenal androgens (eg, DHAE-S).

As you can see, these are nonspecific, very vague symptoms, which are also characteristic of other hormonal abnormalities. For example, a lack of thyroid hormones can lead to weight gain and hair loss, but in this case the hair will fall out evenly, without the bald patches seen in men. Excess thyroid hormones can lead to acne, but it is rarely cystic and does not tend to occur on the chin. Thus, these symptoms will help determine where exactly the problem occurred. hormonal disbalance. The hypotheses then need to be tested in the laboratory.

Laboratory testing of testosterone levels in the blood

So let's talk about what abnormal testosterone levels look like. Let's look at a few examples. In the first example, the woman has high levels of free testosterone and the upper limit of normal for total testosterone.

You see that only free testosterone is labeled as high, but in reality the patient has excess testosterone altogether. How do I know? The thing is, I see facial hair, acne and overweight. See: free testosterone is physiological active form testosterone, high concentrations of which are responsible for the symptoms listed above. (Total testosterone has virtually no diagnostic value - approx. website.)

In this patient's case, the cause was insulin resistance. Working in this direction, she and I managed to reduce the level of free testosterone in the blood, and the symptoms disappeared.

Second example.

Again we see a high level of free testosterone and completely normal level total testosterone. Family doctor did not notice any problems because the excess hair growth was weak, the weight was at the upper limit of normal, but the girl suffered from sharp changes mood and irritability.

That's why it's important to look at symptoms along with lab tests to see and diagnose the problem.

I also want to show you an example of low testosterone levels in the blood.

The patient’s main problem was insulin resistance, which is why I gave the value of glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (HbA1c is a specific marker that helps estimate the average blood glucose level over the past 2-3 months - approx. website). Remember: high insulin levels can cause both high and low level testosterone, it depends on the individual patient. And both of these conditions are equally bad.

Now you know how to identify elevated testosterone levels and what symptoms to monitor.

6 Reasons for High Testosterone Levels in Women

When hormone levels rise high enough, it becomes more difficult to figure out what exactly triggered the process. This situation is completely different from low levels, where it is enough to “add what is missing” to reduce symptoms. Therefore, most doctors general practice confused when faced with rising hormone levels.

1. Insulin resistance

The connection between insulin resistance (or, to put it simply, high blood sugar) and testosterone is HUGE (more on this connection - approx. website). Insulin can lower and raise testosterone levels. In men, the hormone usually lowers testosterone levels, but in women both occur. To determine the connection in your body, you need to donate blood for glycosylated hemoglobin A1c, fasting insulin along with total and free testosterone. If high levels of insulin are found along with high levels of free testosterone, insulin is the cause of hormonal imbalance.

Women with high testosterone levels combined with insulin resistance acquire (polycystic ovary syndrome). These patients have high levels of insulin, testosterone and estrogen and low levels of progesterone. This results in moderate facial hair growth, but in some cases hormonal imbalance It also leads to darkening of the skin, deposition of belly fat and extreme mood swings. Typically, the worse your fasting insulin levels, the more severe your symptoms.

2. Estrogen dominance over progesterone

All hormones in our body interact with each other. Think of them as a web: you can't touch one thread without disturbing the others, and to change the entire web you only need to break one thread. This principle also applies to hormonal system. Hormones play together, so if one gets out of the program, it will lead to a failure in the others.

The female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone are particularly closely related. The exact mechanism of the connection between them is unknown, but they definitely affect testosterone levels. Take, for example, women with premenstrual syndrome or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (severe form premenstrual syndrome - approx. website). These conditions are associated with estrogen dominance, and these same women have been found to have elevated levels of testosterone and DHEA. Compare them to menopausal women, when low estrogen levels couple with complete absence progesterone, and later testosterone levels in the blood decrease (but the mustache still begins to grow, again due to the mutual concentration of sex hormones - approx. website). One thing is clear: changes in the concentration of estrogen and progesterone affect the concentration of testosterone.

3. Low physical activity

Training is additional help your body to utilize excess testosterone. Although there is no direct link between physical activity and testosterone levels, exercise helps with excess insulin levels, which in turn lowers high testosterone levels. The mechanism is simple: low insulin is normal testosterone, high insulin is high testosterone. Physical activity lowers insulin levels, making your body's cells more sensitive to it.

In addition, physical activity helps to overcome the eternal companion of abnormal testosterone levels - excess weight.

4. Adrenal diseases (high DHEA levels)

Adrenal gland diseases are less common. Anything that causes the adrenal glands to overwork can lead to an increase in testosterone levels. To understand this, look at this diagram of how your body secretes testosterone:

It can be seen that the precursors of testosterone are DHAE, pregnenolone, progesterone and androstenedione. If there are more of them, then testosterone levels may also increase.

There are also a number of conditions that lead to increased production of DHEA and testosterone: severe stress and associated adrenal fatigue, overuse supplements with DHAE/pregnenolone/progesterone and, again, insulin resistance. Therefore, checking the levels of DHAE in the blood and cortisol in 24-hour urine is good test when looking for causes of elevated testosterone levels. Remember that hormones do not work independently of each other.

5. High levels of the hormone leptin (leptin resistance)

Leptin creates conditions that make it difficult to lose weight. If you don't know what leptin resistance is, please read up on English language about how exactly it disables the utilization of excess weight.

In short, leptin resistance is a condition where you have too much leptin in your body and you gain weight, but your brain doesn't see it. Hunger reigns in the head, and the body swells with fat. Leptin not only regulates satiety, but is also part of the reward system.

Leptin, produced by fat cells, is involved in the regulation of appetite, metabolism, and tells the brain when fat needs to be stored and when it’s time to burn it. Guess what happens when leptin sensitivity decreases. Your brain stops receiving leptin's messages about satiety and begins to give the exact opposite commands: your metabolism slows down, you think you're hungry, and your body stops consuming stored calories.

And not only that: leptin controls the secretion of testosterone. The more leptin, the more it stimulates endocrine glands secrete testosterone. (This is where it is somewhat opaque; I could not find a single article confirming that leptin stimulates the secretion of steroids, rather the opposite; however, there is definitely a connection between leptin and testosterone, see my article - approx. website.)

High levels of leptin are also found in women suffering from insulin resistance (which in itself increases testosterone).

6. Obesity

Excess weight can increase testosterone levels on its own. Fat cells increase testosterone secretion by increasing the activity of the enzyme 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (type 5). Forget this long name: the main thing here is that fat increases testosterone on its own, and also by reducing the sensitivity of other tissues to insulin.

The moral of the story is that you need to lose weight in addition to all other treatments.

How to lower testosterone levels in women?

First you need to decide why your testosterone level in the blood is elevated. The goal is to cure the root cause. Below I will talk about ways to treat the six causes that I talked about earlier.

High insulin levels:

Add high-intensity exercise: increasing muscle mass increases tissue sensitivity to insulin.
Reduce your carbohydrate intake (especially refined carbohydrates - sugar, bread, pasta, etc.), for example, as in the Nutritional Ketosis diet.
Consider taking T3 thyroid hormone to speed up metabolism and increase cell sensitivity to insulin (note that we are talking about T3, not T4, but only T4 is sold in Russia - approx. website).
Consider taking special medications that increase insulin sensitivity: SGLT-2 inhibitors, Metformin, GLP-1 agonists, alpha-amylase inhibitors.
Consider taking supplements: Berberine (1000-2000 mg/day), alpha lipoic acid (600-1200 mg/day), magnesium, chromium, PolyGlycopleX - all of these supplements can help lower blood sugar and insulin levels.

Imbalance of estrogen and progesterone:

Make sure your thyroid functions normally: hypothyroidism causes estrogen to dominate over progesterone.
Make sure that the metabolism of estrogen in your body is optimal, liver function and proper nutrition are important for this.
During menopause, consider taking bioidentical hormones (a mixture of progesterone and estradiol/estriol).
Consider supplements to support estrogen metabolism: vitamin B12 (sublingual 5000 mcg/day), 5-MTHF, DIM or Indole-3-carbinol, milk thistle, sulfur in the form of MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), bio-identical progesterone (20-40 mg transdermally on days 14-28 of the cycle).

Adrenal problems:

Increase your salt intake (Himalayan pink salt or Celtic sea salt).
Learn to work with stress and switch from negativity (yoga, meditation, hiking etc.)
Reduce caffeine and alcohol consumption.
Reduce consumption of amphetamine-based stimulant medications (adderall, concerta, phentermine, etc.)
Sleep at least 8 hours a day; exclude nap to avoid problems falling asleep at night; Do not overeat at night, so that excess energy does not occur at the time before bed.
Consider taking the following dietary supplements: adrenal adaptogens, adrenal hormones, vitamins B6 and C. If you have problems falling asleep, use melatonin.

Excess leptin:

Consider intermittent fasting (meaning skipping some scheduled meals every few days and fasting days - approx. website)
Reduce carbohydrate intake, including fructose.
Compensate for hypothyroidism and treat insulin resistance, against which restoration of sensitivity to leptin is unlikely.
Add high-intensity loads.
Consider taking special medications to increase sensitivity to lepin: Byetta, Victoza, Bydureon or Symlin. In my experience, overcoming leptin resistance without medication is very difficult. At correct use they can significantly adjust weight and hormones in the blood.
Consider taking dietary supplements: fish oil, zinc, leucine and supplements recommended for insulin resistance. There are no specialized supplements that help with excess leptin.

Conclusion

It is possible to reduce the high concentration of testosterone in the blood, but to do this you need to find the root cause of the failure. If this cause can be correctly diagnosed and treated, the symptoms will decrease rapidly.

Typically, high testosterone levels are associated with one or more of the following reasons: insulin or leptin resistance, problems in the mutual concentration of estrogen and progesterone, adrenal disease, unhealthy diet and lifestyle.

If you're serious about addressing your high testosterone problem, find a doctor who understands how the hormones relate to each other and is willing to devote the time to get to the bottom of the cause.

Testosterone is considered specific male hormone, responsible for the development of muscle strength and mass, sexual behavior, masculinity and courage, bordering on self-sacrifice. This is all true, but no less important role The hormone also plays in the body of women, although its content in the weaker sex is approximately 25 times less.

Men try in every possible way to increase the level of this hormone in the body, to become even stronger and sexier, but women, on the contrary, are very afraid of this, since in women it not only harms the external female attractiveness, but can lead to such serious illnesses like infertility. Treatment when there is an excess of hormone levels above normal is not an easy process, but it is feasible.

The symptoms of high testosterone in women are hard to miss. Hair on a woman’s body suddenly begins to grow where it shouldn’t be at all, on the face, on the arms. And where they should be, on the head, on the contrary, they begin to fall out en masse. The figure begins to develop according to the male type, the skeleton is wide at the shoulders and narrow at the hips, strong angular muscles, a rough, low voice.

In addition to external unattractiveness, high testosterone negatively affects menstrual cycle and ovulation, so it should be taken into account that the violation monthly cycle and its intensity - possible symptoms high testosterone.

During pregnancy general level The hormone is naturally increased, this is necessary for bearing the fetus and developing the mammary glands, but the level must be controlled, since too high a level of the hormone can cause miscarriage or miscarriage.