Depending on the level of testosterone, high amounts in the body often fall into one of two scenarios that can impact physiological functions:

• 1. Your blood level of testosterone is in the mid to higher end of the normal range and your body functions properly as a result
• 2. Your testosterone test levels are abnormally high, and you suffer from adverse reactions to having too great an amount of testosterone in the bloodstream

What are high testosterone levels going to do to your physiological functions? Will the effects cause any long-lasting problems?

By understanding what high testosterone causes, you can often detect if you have this problem. For example, one sign for women is a diagnosis of PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome).

What does high testosterone do in men that can be instantly recognizable?

A male may notice adult acne, breast enlargement, or testicular shrinkage. Other dangers are possible.

How to Determine High or Low Testosterone Levels

Blood analysis determine a person’s testosterone levels. We recommend checking both free and total testosterone to assess what is going on inside the body accurately. Only the testosterone that is freely available in the bloodstream can be utilized by the androgen receptor cells. Total testosterone, when tightly bound to SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin) is not available for use.

What is considered high testosterone when checking total testosterone levels?

This first chart shows the average total testosterone range as compiled by reviewing multiple labs:

Age	Normal Total Testosterone ng/dL	Average Total Testosterone ng/dL
Men 30 – 39	219 – 1009	600 – 675
Men 40 – 49	201 – 993	500 – 550
Men 50 – 59	170 – 918	400 – 450
Men 60 +	156 – 700	300 – 350
Women 19 +	8 – 95	15 – 70

Any male with a total testosterone level reading higher than 1,000 ng/dL, accompanied by symptoms of too much testosterone, will likely receive a diagnosis of high testosterone from the hormone specialist. Even readings over 700 – 800 ng/dL can cause problems in some men.

A woman who has a total testosterone reading of more than 70 ng/dL may have high testosterone.

What is a high free testosterone level for healthy adults?

This chart shows the average range of male and female free testosterone:

Age	Free Direct Testosterone Range pg/mL
Men 20 – 29	9.3 – 26.5
Men 30 – 39	8.7 – 25.1
Men 40 – 49	6.8 – 21.5
Men 50 – 59	7.2 – 24.0
Men over 59	6.6 – 18.1
Women 19 +	0.0 – 4.2

To answer the question what are high testosterone levels, anything towards the top end may be considered abnormally high if accompanied by symptoms of high testosterone.

Signs and Effects of High Testosterone Levels in Women

Balanced testosterone levels are equally as important for women as men. Problems can occur when testosterone levels are too high or too low.

What is a high testosterone level in females going to do if left undiagnosed and untreated?

The primary concern associated with increased testosterone levels is PCOS which may increase the risks of low levels of HDL (good) cholesterol, carbohydrate intolerance, high blood pressure, increased LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglyceride levels, a higher heart disease risk factor, and insulin resistance.

What are high testosterone levels in females’ symptoms?

The following warning signs may be indicative of high testosterone:

• Infertility
• Adult acne
• Oily skin
• Thinning hair of frontal balding
• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Facial and body hair growth
• Increased weight – especially belly fat
• Enlarged clitoris
• Deepening of the voice
• Increased muscle mass
• Changes in mood and behavior

Signs and Effects of High Testosterone Levels in Men

We often see the signs of high levels of testosterone in males who engage in testosterone treatment without a physician’s authorization. This is an all too common practice among bodybuilders and some athletes – even though testosterone use is illegal in sports. When you boost the level of any hormone higher than normal side effects are likely.

What is a high testosterone level in males going to do to long-term well-being?

One significant concern is infertility. When the hypothalamus notices a plentiful supply of testosterone, it will shut down production of the hormones that trigger the testes to produce testosterone. This will result in testicular shrinkage and infertility.

Since testosterone stimulates red blood cell production, another serious concern is polycythemia – a condition that occurs when the red blood cell count becomes abnormally high.

What are high testosterone levels symptoms in men?

Here are the warning signs of high testosterone blood levels:

• Acne
• Oily skin
• Hair loss from head
• Bodily and facial hair growth
• Edema
• Worsening of sleep apnea
• Enlarged prostate
• Testicular shrinkage
• Infertility
• Breast enlargement
• Liver disease
• Aggressive or risky behaviors

To get additional information about high testosterone or to arrange for a hormone blood test, please contact Kingsberg HRT Clinic for a confidential consultation at no cost.