Testosterone is known as a male sex hormone, but. A testosterone level test measures the amount of testosterone in a blood sample. Testosterone is known as a male sex hormone, but women have testosterone in smaller amounts. Testosterone levels are measured by drawing a blood sample from a vein in the arm. The sample is usually taken at the doctor's office, a medical clinic, a laboratory, or a hospital.
Home testosterone testing is no substitute for talking to a doctor, especially if your health has changed. Even if you don't have symptoms, doctors can also test your testosterone levels if you have a health problem that can affect hormone levels. Signs of low testosterone levels in men may include decreased sexual desire, lack of energy or fatigue, feelings of depression, irritability, hair loss, erectile dysfunction, reduced lean muscle mass, and weight gain. For example, abnormal testosterone results may be due to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), ovarian or adrenal gland cancer, or a pituitary disorder.
Testosterone, a hormone responsible for controlling fertility and sperm development in men or anyone with a penis, also plays an important role in the development of male sexual characteristics, such as a deeper voice, certain muscle development patterns and hair growth. Read on to learn more about testosterone, typical levels in men and women, and what a high or low result on a testosterone test can mean. If the results show high levels of testosterone, it may be worth meeting with the doctor to confirm the results using a doctor-ordered blood test and to discuss the next steps to take. If your doctor recommended that you get tested, the costs of measuring your testosterone level are generally covered by health insurance.
If you have certain health problems or take certain medications, free or bioavailable testosterone tests can provide more detailed information about whether hormone levels in the body are normal. After menopause, usually between the ages of 45 and 55, women's testosterone levels drop significantly. A testosterone level test alone cannot diagnose any health problems, but abnormal results with symptoms may be a sign of a health problem. However, several studies have confirmed that saliva only offers a relatively accurate measurement of testosterone levels. Testosterone tests can also monitor the health of transgender men who were assigned female at birth, but who identify as men.
Associated with physical endurance, muscle mass and high sexual desire, testosterone is the main male sex hormone that, as you can see, plays a crucial role in keeping your body working as it should. Testosterone is a hormone that stimulates sperm production and sexual desire, and helps build muscle and bone mass.
