Doctors also watch out for high red blood cell counts, which could increase the risk of clotting. As a result, there is some controversy about which men should be treated with supplemental testosterone. Women may have a testosterone deficiency due to diseases of the pituitary, hypothalamus or adrenal glands, in addition to removal of the ovaries. Men taking testosterone replacement must be carefully monitored for prostate cancer. You could also experience balding from having too many hormones called androgens in your body. T has a role in numerous processes around the body, including the maintenance of bone and muscle mass and the storage and metabolism of body fat. Their doctor can then work with them to create a suitable treatment plan. Free testosterone is testosterone in the body that is not attached to proteins. This article will use the terms "male," "female," or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. The information should not be considered complete and should not be used in place of a visit, phone or telemedicine call, consultation or advice of your physician or other healthcare provider. All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. The longer the testicles remain suppressed, the more difficult it can become to restore normal function, though recovery is often possible with proper treatment. Additionally, very high testosterone can convert to estrogen through a process called aromatization, and elevated estrogen in men can cause sexual dysfunction, mood changes, and even breast tissue development. Some men with very high testosterone report that their libido becomes intrusive or difficult to manage, interfering with focus, work, and daily activities. You might expect that higher testosterone would always mean stronger sexual desire and better sexual function, but the reality is more complicated. They're external markers of internal hormone levels and can provide important clues about what's happening systemically. These changes happen because hair follicles convert testosterone into a more potent androgen called dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. If you're using testosterone therapy, your clinician can evaluate whether your current protocol is contributing to the problem. Testosterone levels are at their highest during adolescence and early adulthood. Everything you need to know about the holistic treatment. Three Hone patients share a timeline of benefits and changes during the first year of TRT treatment. Plus, when to take the pill to avoid a mid-sex softy. Mike McAvennie is an editorial director and writer with extensive experience driving original content production on a global scale. Focus on eating a high-protein diet, and consider adding these 14 testosterone-boosting foods to your grocery list. For men navigating hormone health, whether exploring TRT for the first time or optimizing an existing protocol, services like AlphaMD offer specialized support focused specifically on men's hormonal health. You cannot diagnose high testosterone or any hormonal imbalance based on symptoms alone. The goal is to find a hormone balance that supports stable mood and emotional health, not just physical performance. It's also worth noting that high testosterone often occurs alongside or causes elevations in estrogen, since testosterone converts to estrogen in fat tissue and other sites throughout the body. For example, the genitals may not enlarge, facial and body hair may be scant, and the voice may not deepen normally. It affects male fetuses as they develop in the uterus, as well as teenage sexual development during puberty. This is called androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) and occurs when someone is genetically male but is insensitive to androgens (male sex hormones). The symptoms of low testosterone vary based on your age. This condition is very common — up to 15% of females of reproductive age have it. In female adults, high levels of testosterone may be a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). If a tumor is causing your T levels to spike, a doctor may recommend surgery to remove the tumor. This can also help you lose excess weight caused by T imbalances and get more of the nutrients you need to support T production in your body. Keeping unwanted excess hair shaved or using facial cleaners for acne may help control your symptoms. If you’re on T supplements or TRT, talk with a doctor about how your T levels might respond if you’re taken off those medications. Stop taking anabolic steroids immediately and consult with a doctor to monitor any changes in your T levels. Eliminating any external source of high T levels is often the first line of treatment for high T caused by medication or steroid use. However, researchers also noted no significant change in the ratio between free testosterone, total testosterone, and cortisol, a type of stress hormone. However, they did not link this effect directly to high testosterone levels. If you're currently on testosterone replacement therapy, don't adjust or stop your treatment on your own. Proper evaluation includes blood work that measures not just total testosterone but also free testosterone, estrogen, hematocrit, liver function, lipids, and other relevant markers. The most important step is working with a qualified healthcare provider who understands hormone health and can order comprehensive testing. Treatment might involve adjusting testosterone dosing, adding medications to manage estrogen conversion, or incorporating other support like therapy or stress management techniques. There are also many ways you can naturally boost testosterone levels, but those should be done in conjunction with TRT. If you are experiencing any symptoms as described above, you should definitely get your hormone levels checked. When your testosterone levels are getting into the 1,000 up to the 1,500 ng/dL range—and staying up there—that’s too high, says McDevitt. "Testosterone has a mood stabilizing effect, so as it decreases, anxiety can arise." There are a couple of science-backed ways to help you boost testosterone levels naturally.
