What is testosterone?
Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone. It is produced mainly by the testicles, but also by the adrenal glands, and is responsible for male physical characteristics. Although it is considered to be a "male" sex hormone, it is important for women’s health, too. Testosterone testing is used to diagnose several conditions in men, women, girls, and boys.
Why test testosterone?
Testing testosterone is crucial as it plays a key role in muscle growth, fat loss, and athletic performance. In men, low testosterone can cause decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, infertility, and pubertal issues. In women, low testosterone can lead to irregular menstruation, infertility, endometriosis, low voice, unwanted hair growth, increased body fat, sleep problems, and decreased motivation. Additionally, monitoring testosterone levels helps track changes in blood values due to lifestyle modifications or supplementation.
What causes low testosterone?
Ageing, heavy drinking, stress, sleep problems, high consumption of processed foods, obesity, inflammation (IL-6), and prostaglandins A1, A2, and E2), soy-phytoestrogens and broad beans can all lower testosterone, as can certain health conditions, like severe hypothyroidism, sleep apnea, cirrhosis of the liver, chronic kidney failure and some drugs, such as statins and chemotherapy.
What causes high testosterone?
High testosterone levels in males can indicate testicular tumours. Increased testosterone in boys is usually the cause of early puberty. In women, elevated testosterone can indicate polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or an ovarian or adrenal gland tumour.
Preparations for this test
Do not eat for 10-12 hours before taking this test. Go to bed at the normal time today.
On the day
Take this test before 10:00 a.m. Testosterone varies during the day. Always take your I.D. when going to take a test.
If you take medication that does not need to be taken in the early am, take it after doing your blood test. Thyroxine should always be taken after your blood draw.