- High testosterone in women often signals PCOS, thyroid dysfunction, adrenal stress, or insulin resistance, so identifying which is driving yours is essential for proper treatment.
- These hormone systems talk to each other, so fixing high testosterone alone without addressing insulin resistance or thyroid problems usually leads to recurring symptoms.
- Your excess androgens may stem from your body's insulin resistance signaling your ovaries to make more testosterone, making metabolic support your first intervention.
- Addressing the root cause (whether thyroid, adrenal, or metabolic) matters more than trying to suppress testosterone with medications that ignore the underlying dysfunction.
Weight gain, acne, or hair loss.
Are you experiencing any of these symptoms?
These are only a few of the symptoms of high testosterone in women, but the real question is this:
Why do women have high testosterone, to begin with, and what can you do to lower it?
Unfortunately, many Doctors may tell you that you have high testosterone but rarely ever will they offer any advice on how to lower your levels to help you feel better.
That’s why it’s important to have an understanding of what is going on in YOUR body so you can figure out how to get back to normal.
The important thing to realize about high testosterone is that usually (95% of the time) it is caused by something else like another hormone imbalance.
So the way to fix the problem is by tackling and reversing the issue causing your high testosterone…
Symptoms of High Testosterone in Women
Before we jump into the causes of high testosterone and the treatment, we really need to understand the symptoms of high testosterone.
Symptoms are very important because each person is different in terms of how much is TOO much for their body.
I have seen plenty of women with “high normal” ranges of testosterone but ALL of the symptoms.
In these patients, it’s obvious they have too much testosterone, but their numbers make them look relatively “normal” but they still benefit greatly from treatment.
Use this list below to help guide you…
Symptoms of High Testosterone in Women:
- Weight gain or inability to lose weight (especially if weight gain is unexpected)
- Hair loss (especially if thyroid function and other hormones are normal and if the hair loss is “male-patterned”)
- Acne, changes in complexion or very oily skin (deep cystic acne is also common with high androgens usually in the jaw-line)
- Changes in mood including depression, irritability, or anger
- Imbalances of other hormones including estrogen/progesterone ratio, other androgens like DHEA, and thyroid hormone
As you will probably notice many of these symptoms are non-specific.
Meaning that there will be some crossover with other hormone imbalances in your body.
For instance: thyroid issues can cause weight gain and hair loss, but it usually isn’t male-patterned baldness.
Thyroid issues can also lead to acne, but it usually isn’t cystic or on the jawline.
Using these specific clues can help you determine WHERE exactly your hormonal issues are coming from.
But, because there is a crossover I always recommend you ALSO test your serum levels.
Testosterone Lab Tests
Ok so let’s talk about what abnormal testosterone tests look like.
First, let me show you an example and then explain:
Below you have example #1 which is a female with high FREE testosterone and high “normal” total testosterone.
From this example, you can see that only the “free” is marked as high but in reality, this patient definitely has high testosterone levels.
How do I know?
Because she presented with hair growth on the face, acne, and weight gain.
I want to take a second and explain that this pattern is VERY common and one of the most commonly missed forms.
You see:
Free testosterone is the ACTIVE form of testosterone, so this particular patient has high levels of ACTIVE and FREE testosterone floating around causing all of the symptoms listed above.
In her case, it was caused by insulin resistance, and by treating that problem her testosterone levels (and therefore symptoms) went away.
Here is example #2:
Again, you can see that her free testosterone is HIGH but her total testosterone is within the “normal” range.
This patient was missed by conventional Doctors because she presented with very slight hair growth and slight weight gain but with very prominent mood swings and irritability.
This is why it’s so important to match symptoms to lab tests to make sure you don’t miss the diagnosis.
I also wanted to show you an example of low testosterone for comparison:
Above you can see the serum testosterone levels are off the chart low (<3) and I also included in the picture her Hgb A1c which shows this patient with insulin resistance as the main cause of her issue.
Remember:
High levels of insulin can cause BOTH high testosterone and low testosterone – it just depends on the patient.
You can read more about the causes and treatment of low testosterone in this article.
So now that you know HOW to diagnose high testosterone levels and what symptoms to watch out for the next step is to find out HOW to treat it…
6 Causes of High Testosterone in Women
In this section, I’m going to go over the most common causes of high testosterone.
It’s important to remember that this list is NOT the complete list, it’s just the most common presentations that I have seen in my practice and the most commonly missed diagnoses.
I also want to spend some time on each to help you determine if you actually have these abnormalities because most Doctors tend to gloss over each of them.
When it comes to high levels of hormones in the body it can be difficult to treat because it requires some digging to find the “root cause”.
Compare this to LOW levels of hormones, which usually can just be “replaced” to achieve symptomatic relief.
High hormone levels require more knowledge and more advanced treatment plans.
1. Insulin Resistance
As I mentioned previously in this article the link between insulin resistance (1) (high blood sugar) and testosterone is VERY strong.
High insulin levels cause both LOW testosterone and HIGH testosterone.
In men insulin resistance typically causes low testosterone, but in women, it can cause both.
But, what is the best way to determine how it’s affecting your testosterone?
Simply check both your Hgb A1c and fasting insulin levels in addition to free and total testosterone.
If you have high testosterone levels + high levels of insulin then insulin is certainly contributing to your hormone imbalance.
(Example of elevated insulin in the serum, your fasting insulin should be < 5)
Women who tend to get HIGH testosterone levels with insulin resistance fall on the PCOS spectrum (2).
Meaning that as insulin increases, testosterone increases, estrogen increases, and progesterone decreases.
Some women can get away with some mild hair growth on the face, while others face serious symptoms like darkening of the skin, abdominal/visceral fat deposits, and extreme mood swings.
Generally, the higher your fasting insulin levels are the worse your symptoms will be.
2. Estrogen/Progesterone Imbalances (PMS/PMDD, Estrogen dominance)
ALL hormones in your body interact with one another.
Think of them like a spider web, you can’t pill a string in isolation.
Moving one strand of the web will move the entire web, to some degree.
The same concept is true with your hormones.
They all play together.
So when one hormone is imbalanced it will ultimately drag down (or up) other hormones in the body.
This concept is true for sex hormones in women (estrogen and progesterone).
The exact mechanism isn’t clear, but there is definitely a correlation between progesterone/estrogen and testosterone.
Take for example women with PMS and PMDD, conditions caused by elevated estrogen levels (AKA Estrogen dominance).
These patients have been shown to have increased levels of both DHEA and testosterone (3).
Compare this to menopause (a complete lack of progesterone with low levels of estrogen) and women generally end up with LOW testosterone levels.
One thing is clear:
Changes to estrogen/progesterone somehow affect testosterone levels.
3. Lack of Exercise (especially weight training)
think of exercise as an extra way to help prevent your body from developing high testosterone levels.
So lack of exercise doesn’t directly cause high testosterone levels, but exercising does help PREVENT high levels, to begin with.
This is most likely due to the effects of exercise on insulin levels (4).
Exercise helps lower insulin levels by sensitizing your cells to insulin.
Low insulin = normal testosterone levels.
High insulin = high testosterone levels.
It’s also worth pointing out that exercising can actually balance testosterone (5) levels to boost libido and muscle mass.
Exercising can also help prevent the abnormal fat distribution that comes with high/low testosterone levels (fat in the upper body and upper arms area).
4. Adrenal Disease (High DHEA Levels)
This condition is less common, but anything that cranks up adrenal production can ultimately lead to high testosterone levels.
To understand you need to see how testosterone is created in the body:
Using this diagram below you can see that testosterone can be created from precursors like DHEA, pregnenolone, progesterone, and androstenedione.
Anything that increases any of these hormones (even if you take these as supplements!) can increase your total testosterone.
There are also several medical conditions that can lead to elevated DHEA and testosterone through this pathway including adrenal hyperplasia, high stress (adrenal fatigue), excess supplementation of progesterone/pregnenolone/DHEA, and insulin resistance (6).
Obviously, the most common causes of high DHEA include increased demand for adrenal production (high cortisol and high DHEA levels) and excess supplementation (which can be a big problem as well).
For this reason, it’s a good idea to always check serum levels of DHEA in addition to cortisol levels when evaluating testosterone levels.
Remember that hormones do NOT operate in isolation, altering one will also alter others.
5. High Leptin Levels (AKA Leptin Resistance)
Leptin is the hormone that just might be making it impossible for you to lose weight and keep it off.
If you aren’t familiar with leptin please read this article which outlines how exactly it causes weight loss resistance.
But briefly here is the story:
Leptin is a hormone secreted by fat cells and it’s supposed to control your appetite, and metabolism and tell your brain to burn fat.
When you have leptin resistance guess what happens?
Your brain doesn’t get the signal and instead of doing all of those things it instead causes the EXACT opposite.
That means your metabolism slows down, your brain makes you think you are constantly hungry and your body refuses to burn fat.
AND…
In addition to causing weight loss resistance, high levels of leptin are also associated with high testosterone levels (7).
High leptin levels also are seen in women with PCOS (8) and many women with leptin resistance also have insulin resistance (which further worsens testosterone levels by itself).
So high insulin levels = high leptin levels = high testosterone levels.
High insulin and leptin levels make it impossible to lose weight and high testosterone levels cause all of the side effects listed above.
6. Weight Gain or Obesity
It turns out that excess fat (9) can also cause high testosterone levels by itself.
Fat cells themselves actually increase levels of androgens in females.
Studies show that this is caused by the upregulation of an enzyme known as 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 5 (10).
Forget the long name of the enzyme and just focus on the fact that fat cells themselves increase testosterone levels.
But, in addition to fat cells increasing testosterone levels…
Fat cells also increase insulin resistance which also leads to further androgen excess (high testosterone).
The moral of the story here is that you need to lose weight in addition to adding the other therapies above to normalize testosterone levels.
And don’t let that freak you out because the next section is all about treating high testosterone levels…
How to Lower Testosterone in Women
When attempting to lower your testosterone levels it is critical to know WHY you have high levels, to begin with.
This is because there are multiple “treatments” for the condition, but the theme is always the same: treat the root cause.
Below I’m going to go over some ways to treat high testosterone levels if you have the conditions listed above…
If you have high insulin levels AND high testosterone levels then consider the following treatments:
Treatment for high Testosterone levels due to insulin resistance
- Add in high-intensity interval training or weight training – building muscle mass sensitizes tissues to insulin levels.
- Decrease carbohydrates (especially refined carbs like sugar/bread/pasta/etc.): consider diets like nutritional ketosis.
- Consider the use of T3 hormone to boost thyroid function and sensitize cells to insulin levels.
- Consider insulin-sensitizing medications: SGLT-2 inhibitors, metformin, GLP-1 agonists, and alpha-amylase inhibitors.
- Consider supplements to lower insulin levels: berberine (1,000-2,000mg per day), alpha lipoic acid (600-1,200mg per day), magnesium, chromium, and glucomannan – all of these supplements have been shown to reduce blood sugar and insulin levels.
- Note: Treating insulin resistance will take more than 1 treatment as indicated above. I also find that insulin resistance is very common among women with weight loss resistance. Do not ignore this hormone!
Treatment for high Testosterone due to Estrogen & Progesterone imbalances
- Ensure that your thyroid is functioning optimally – hypothyroidism causes estrogen dominance and low progesterone levels
- Ensure your excretion and metabolism of estrogen is optimal – that means proper liver function and optimal methylated B vitamins and nutrients
- If menopause consider using bio-identical hormone replacement, especially if symptomatic (Bioidentical progesterone and estradiol/estriol combo in the form of biest work particularly well)
- Consider supplements to help estrogen metabolism: Vitamin B12 (preferably methylcobalamin), 5-MTHF, DIM or indole-3-carbinol, milk thistle, MSM, bio-identical progesterone (20-40mg transdermally on days 14-28 of your cycle)
- Note: The best way to check for estrogen/progesterone imbalances is through DUTCH testing, NOT serum levels. If you feel you have estrogen dominance but “normal” serum labs, then make sure to check via DUTCH (urine testing). Also, put special attention on thyroid function because imbalances in thyroid hormone can cause both low progesterone and high estrogen levels.
Treatment for high Testosterone due to Adrenal related issues
- Increase consumption of salt (Himalayan pink salt or Celtic sea salt)
- Manage stress levels with relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, spiritual prayer, time outside or in nature, etc. (see audio clip below for more info)
- Cut caffeine and alcohol consumption way, way down
- Avoid other stimulants like amphetamine-based medications (Adderall, Concerta, Phentermine, etc.)
- Get 8 hours of sleep each night and avoid high-energy tasks later in the evening. Make sure to also avoid taking naps during the day.
- Consider the following supplements: Adrenal adaptogens, Adrenal glandulars, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, and low doses of melatonin (if you are having issues with sleep)
- Note: Adrenal-related issues can be very complex to treat, so if you suspect adrenal issues are playing a large role in your high testosterone levels you would likely benefit from seeing a practitioner to help guide you. It’s also worth noting that the best way to test for cortisol/cortisone levels is again with a series of 4 urine tests throughout the day (DUTCH urinary testing).
Treatment of high Testosterone due to Leptin resistance
- Consider an intermittent or prolonged fasting program.
- Cut carbohydrates and fructose consumption (both make leptin levels worse).
- Treating underlying thyroid resistance and insulin resistance if present (use steps above) -> If you don’t balance these hormones treating leptin resistance will be almost impossible.
- Add high-intensity exercise with weight training.
- Consider leptin-sensitizing medications: Byetta, Victoza, Bydureon, or Saxenda.
- Consider supplements (there are no specific supplements to treat leptin resistance that work consistently): Insulin-sensitizing supplements (above), fish oil, zinc, and leucine.
- Note: Leptin resistance can be very difficult to treat and in order to treat it you must treat conditions that also make it worse (like insulin resistance and thyroid resistance). In my experience treating leptin resistance usually requires the assistance of medication (as listed above) and, when used correctly, weight loss and other hormone-balancing effects can be profound.
Bottom line:
Treating high testosterone levels is possible but it requires the right approach which means finding and treating the underlying cause.
If you are able to properly diagnose and treat the underlying cause you should be able to reduce your symptoms dramatically!
Most causes of high testosterone are due to one or more of the following: insulin resistance, leptin resistance, imbalances in estrogen/progesterone, imbalances in adrenal function, and poor diet/lifestyle.
If you are serious about treating your high testosterone levels make sure you find a doctor who understands hormone balancing and is willing to do some digging to get to the cause of your problem.
Now it’s your turn:
Do you have high testosterone levels?
What have you done to treat it?
What has worked for you?
Leave your comments or questions below!
Scientific References
#1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18615851
#2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1069067/
#3. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1438645
#4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10683091
#5. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11915780
#6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12505096
#7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19340711
#8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3728861/
#9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16647374
#10. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15531721
What is the best kind of doctor to see for this
I see an endocrinologist. You might need a referral from your OB/GYN if you think you may have PCOS.
Pretty much any physician can “treat” PCOS the conventional way, what you want is someone who look past the conventional treatment and try to reverse the conditions. Someone with an understand of hormone imbalances beyond OCP, metformin, etc.
Dr Childs: I have a feeling my high testosterone is caused or at least enhanced by insulin levels. Problem is that I’m a T1D and can’t get away from taking insulin. I eat a relatively low carb diet to begin with and don’t eat much/any dairy or gluten. Just not sure the best way to go about treating this, and I don’t have an endocrinologist that “believes” any of this. I do have a fabulous functional MD though. How do I go about unravelling this?
Hey Jennifer,
There are certainly ways to influence insulin sensitivity in the body to control for insulin resistance in type I diabetics. You can even augment this process using medications + lifestyle changes + botanicals + HIIT which will help lower insulin resistance and improve testosterone levels (assuming your levels aren’t coming from your adrenals).
Hi Dr. Childs,
I am 51 and had blood work done due to what I thought was onset of menopause. Believe it or not my Estrogen, Progesterone and FSH levels are normal. What brought me to the MD was weight gain, lethargy and difficulty sleeping so I assumed it was menopause. My blood work did show a high Testosterone level of 47, low vitamin D level of 21 and a low insulin assay level of 1.4L. I found your article very interesting as its one of the few that addresses high testosterone levels in women and how to treat it. I just can’t find the correlation how high testosterone and low insulin. Am I correct in assuming the high testosterone is what has caused my sudden onset of weight? and is lowering it what I should focus on?. I have always been able to control my weight and that changed in May of this year when I gained 14lbs in a little over a month and have not been able to lose it since. Thanks Eileen
Hey Eileen,
High testosterone is rarely the cause of weight gain, but usually secondary to other hormone imbalances that do cause weight gain. It’s a warning sign generally of other problems. You most likely won’t be able to drop the testosterone without addressing the other hormones.
You didn’t really answer Eileen ? Like you answered the others, I found her ? Interesting being she laid out a few good areas of issues
Hi Kamika,
I do my best to answer all of the questions I can, but sometimes I am unable to answer them due to time constraints or other reasons. For instance this morning I woke up to 30+ comments on the blog and 20+ emails, I wish I could answer them all but unfortunately I’m not able to.
Hello Dr. Childs,
I am 21 and have been having problems with high testosterone and DHEA since I was 17 years old. My main issue is sleep problems, and hair loss. Can you suggest any supplement that lowers DHEA levels or Testosterone levels, besides birth control , steroids, and Metformin? Also if you have any information on general about how to lower my levels, please let me know.
Thank you so much for your time,
Paige Campbell
Google about vitamin B5 as a natural alternative to metformin.
Hey Gina,
Thanks for the insight. Vitamin B5 is helpful in reducing insulin resistance but I have never seen anyone reverse their insulin resistance, lose weight and normalize their testosterone levels with B5 alone.
Hi Gina
my daughter was sick with high testosterone, eventually led to social withdrawal, then we found Pyroluria is a defeciency of b6 and zinc and b3 and with that and more b vitamins it helped. Praise be to God. It seems like a lack of B vitamins is the cause of many illnesses including diabetes. I think vitamins are needed to make hormones and progesterone, insulin, etc are all hormone. I would agree with you that B5 is a better substitute for metformin.
Hello! 33 Yr old female. Had anxiety for almost 9 years. Just dealt with it, and recently tried some supplements, exercise and counseling but got way out of hand. Finally broke down and accepted lexapro. Doc also suspected low progesterone. She was right. She’s and estrodol both seemed about right. Testosterone was high and so was cortisol. My bedtime level was off the bell curve.
When she originally suspected the low progesterone she planned to have me take bioidentical progesterone. Oillnsonce inhave kids and she didn’t want them touching it somehow.
What are your thoughts? Diabetes does run in my family. Had no issues with either pregnancy. But so sometimes feel shaky and weak of info too long without eating.
Hey Nikki,
Sounds like metabolic issues related to glucose metabolism, I would look into fasting glucose/insulin and hgb A1c.
Hi Dr. Childs!
I see a wonderful naturopath due to food, low thyroid and recurring low adrenal issues. I am 52.
Recently had a hormone saliva panel done and my testosterone was through the roof (way outside the normal range). I am 5’4″ and have been in fairly good shape, and aside from the items above, tests usually always come back great.
I have put on weight (maybe 10 lbs, which is a lot for me and not normal). I have a major issue with chin hair – essentially I grow mans stubble overnight and have to shave it every morning….this is very distressing.
We are not completely sure the cause at this moment, but my naturopath is thinking my adrenals may be the culprit. However, for the testosterone issue, at the moment we are trying Saw Palmetto twice a day and I take a 7-keto once a day. Next month we are re-testing but I’m certain it must still be high. There is no change in my weight and my stubble is the same or even possibly worse.
I know it’s difficult not knowing everything, but was wondering if you have any thoughts….???
Hey Ruth,
Make sure you check fasting insulin levels as well.
I was being exposed to the testosterone jell from my boyfriend. I went to the obgyn who checked my hormone levels and my testosterone levels was 641 and I’ve gained weight feel irritated and sluggish and dizzy. She said that he needed to change how he uses it and he has but she didn’t explain how long it would take for my levels to come down or how it would effect me. I keep feeling dizzy and nauseous and keep getting migraines. Can you help me understand what I need to do and if this level is dangerous. And if I need any further treatment. I’m 48 and I’m not in menopause my levels were fine with that. Thanks in advance for any help and info.
Hey Robyn,
I can’t give you any specific information, but in general and assuming you don’t have any other hormone imbalances your body should metabolism the testosterone over time – but, again, I don’t know your situation so I can’t really help you much. I would recommend you take these questions to your personal doctor.
Hi Dr westin Childs
My daughter is 19 and suffers from high testosterone due to adrenal. she is not very social and does not want to see a doctor. she rarely has any conversation with the family. the last time we saw the doctor her pcos can was unremarkable and her sugar levels are good, no diabetes . her iron and vt D were low. How can i help her. Also how is it possible to make an appointment to your clinic. I live in New York.
Hey Fadia,
I’m not currently accepting any patients but you should have her see a specialist who understands hormone imbalances (not an endocrinologist). If her problem is adrenal related, as in adrenal hyperplasia, then it depends on where her enzymatic problem is. Most of the time something else is contributing to the problem and making it worse (this is where a specialist can help the most).
Dear Dr Westin Childs
thanks for your reply. Can you say what causes social withdrawal when an individual does not socialise with the household as she did before, and is very calm and quiet. sometimes she may pet the cat.
Westin,
If not an Endo then what type of “specialist”?
thx
bob
Hi Bob,
Someone with post-graduate training in HRT such as integrative medicine, functional medicine or anti-aging medicine. You can learn more about it here: https://www.restartmed.com/thyroid-doctor/
In residency (which is where most physicians receive training), doctors are not taught about hormone replacement therapy with the exception of insulin for diabetes. So, in order for a doctor to be knowledgeable on this topic post-residency, they must do their own research and take extra courses.
Hi there, my 17-year-old daughter was just diagnosed with NCAH,-acne, weight gain, irregular periods, which has lead to confidence issues, etc. A specialist in endo /dietician can not help, they keep saying they just don’t know what to do. 3 months have passed and still no plan. How do we figure out the enzymatic problem?
I’m a 20 year old female who has struggled with acne since age 12, but it got significantly worse right before I turned 18. all signs point to high testosterone– deep cystic acne, high inflammation, mostly on cheeks and jawline, acne on chest and back, and irregular (if not absent) periods. However, my blood test results show that I am in the “completely normal” range for testosterone and free testosterone. is it possible that what is normal for me just isn’t normal according to the textbook definition? I’ve had blood tests 3 different times by 3 different doctors and all say everything is normal but SOMETHING has got to be the cause of all this since I follow all the “acne rules” (like consistently washing my face, not touching my face, changing pillowcases often, drinking enough water, etc….) and have tried everything topically on my skin one could think of.
Hey Olivia,
Yes that is still possible in regards to the testosterone levels.
You can also find out more about the hormonal connection to acne in this post: https://www.restartmed.com/hypothyroidism-acne/
I’ve read your article but I cannot figure out how I fit in. I have a lot of facial hair growth. To gain perspective I pluck for one hour every single day on my upper lip and around my jawline and now down my neck area. This has been happening for a total of 5 to 6 years and recently has gotten worse as I have seen a natural path and have been supplementing with bio identical hormone progesterone. Out of all of my tests, progesterone was the lowest at .5, testosterone was 31, and he did not test free testosterone, and my estrogen was 31. My thyroid is normal, my glucose is 94, I have slightly high total cholesterol and low vitamin D at 27.9. I have been supplementing both vitamin D and Progesterone for approximately two months now. I also take B 12,K2, magnesium, B complex, C, and E. He did not test my insulin but did IGF – 1 factor which came in normal at 1.59. The one thing that I thought was interesting is my FSH serum is at 47.3 which shows me in a post menopausal phase and I am only 48 years old. I have had a tubal ligation. And finally my DHEA is not high but it is near high at 234.9. Please if you can figure this out, let me know because I can’t seem to pinpoint my issue and I’m tired of plucking. Thinking of becoming a man or going to a transgender doctor to get my gender back! Oh and I have gained 40 pounds in the last 2 years. I have lost 3 inches around my waist since taking D3 and progesterone. Please help.
Hey Shaun,
You should have both your leptin and fasting insulin levels checked. You should also have free testosterone levels checked. Until you get these tests it’s hard to figure out what is going on.
For the past year I have had hair thinning and hair loss. The thinning started right after my doctor put me on BIEST for atrophy. I took that for about 9 months, then was put on 12 mg of DHEA and hair loss increased drastically. I was on the DHEA for only 3 months. I have been off of it for almost 4 weeks, and it seems that the hair loss has slowed down. I am 5′ 6″ and only weigh 105 lbs, and limit sugar and grains. My body temperature averages 94.3 to 95.3 and my hands and feet are freezing, 24/7. In spite of a fairly healthy diet, my cholesterol levels have shot up this past year.
I am female, 55 with hysterectomy (still have ovaries).
Below are some recent labs and I’m trying to make sense of it all:
TSH .998 uIU/mL
Thyroxine 6.5 ug/dL
Triiodothyronine, Free 2.4 pg/mL
T4, free (Direct) 1.04 ng/dL
Reverse T3, Serum 15.8 ng/dL
Testosterone, Serum 81 ng/dL
Free Testosterone .9 pg/ml
DHEA-Sulfate 34.0 ug/dL
Estradiol <5.0 pg/mL
Cholesterol total 202
Triglycerides 68
HDL 86
Non HDL 116
VLDL 14
LDL 102
Chol/HDL 2.3
Any direction is greatly appreciated!
Hey Dawn,
Make sure to check for micronutrient deficiencies as well as iron studies – all of which are required for proper hair growth.
Hi Dr. Childs,
I had lab work done in October. My Testosterone serum was 59 and free testosterone was 10.8. Estradiol was <5. Repeated labs in December. Tes. serum was still 59 and free T was 10.0. Estradiol was 81.8. I have been on hormone replacement since going through early menopause approximately 7 years ago. I lost 15 pounds have have maintained that all of these years. This July, I started putting on weight and noticed increase in muscle mass. I have now put on 15 pounds and little has changed in diet and exercise. I am a coach at a gym, I do a combinations of lifting heavy weights along with metabolic workouts. Other than the weight gain, my only other possible symptoms would be increase libido and anxiety. My doctor prescribed spironolactone to speed up the loss of the T in my system, which I discontinued because it made me dizzy which caused more anxiety. I am currently on Elestrin (1 pump), Norethindrome 5mg. I discontinued a 1mg testosterone troche in October. I had done very well on the medications until late summer 2016. Do you have any ideas about what the cause of the increased T might be in my case? I have an appointment with my GYN today to discuss. I have taken some notes from this article.
Thanks!
Hey Lara,
Insulin resistance is an underlying cause in many women, I would check fasting insulin, blood sugar and Hgb A1c (make sure to use the ranges I’ve outlined in my other writings or you will be blown off by a lack of understanding from your physician).
I have been to a dermatologist about two months ago. I just recently, since March 2017 have developed awful acne on the right side of my face, jawline, arms, back, etc. He put me on spiroctolane. I have been extremely stressed for over 3years . I have Fibromyalgia,plus have been a caregiver for my parents, and Husband whom have all passed. I’m thin, so no weight issues. Major fatigue, mood changes, I have hypothyroidism, and have had a hysterectomy. I’m taking levothyroxin, and 1 mg of estradiol along with other medications for depression. Would increasing my estradiol by 1 mg offset my high testosterone? 2mg estradiol? I need help
Hi Dr Childs, 1st would like to thankyou for taking time out of your day (which im sure is quite busy) for your amazing articles. I have learned more by reading them than all the countless articles I have read in a year. My daughter is 34, hasnt had a period in over a year and half. Testosterone through the roof, hair growing on face , back etc severe acne . 1 dr said pcos another said no. This has been going on for 2 years now with no answers. She see’s an endocrinologist who seems to have a wait and see aproach to see if testosterone will come down naturally. If its not down in 2 years, im thinkn she needs HELP! What dr would be better to deal with her situation? She is starting to get very depressed. Thankyou.
Hey Sharon,
Your best bet is looking outside of the insurance model and paying cash for someone who specializes in hormone balancing (with emphasis on women + thyroid). You will most likely never find the care you need inside the insurance model because you will be forced to use endcrinologists and/or ob gyn’s who (believe it or not) don’t do well with hormone balancing.
Dear Dr Childs, thankyou so much on your quick reply, it is greatly appreciated. Have you written any books on the subject of high testosterone in women? Id be very interested in purchasing, thankyou, Sharon
Hey Sharon,
Unfortunately I have not, I plan to create more content around testosterone and women at some point in the future – it’s just a matter of finding time.
HI Dr. Childs,
I have a 16 yo daughter with very similar symptoms as mentioned above. Hair loss, increase hair on face, neck stomach and back, acne, and irregular/no periods. Recent blood work shows high testosterone, insulin and DHEA. We are currenlty waiting to see an Endocrinologist. Your comment above has me thinking outside the box that she should see someone else. When I look for hormone specialists, all that I can find is Endocrinologists. What do you suggest to look for when finding someone outside of the insurance model? Thanks so much!
Hi there,
I have been in remission from A.l.l. leukemia since 1992. I get yearly blood work done since, about 2 years ago my labs came back that my testosterone was high. They sent me to an Endocrinologist who told me I have p.c.o.s. even though I have regular menstrual cycles and have had a child with no problems getting pregnant. He put me on metformin 500 mgs 3x a day… I did that for awhile started eating better and being more active I lost about 20 lbs Im now maintaining 128 lbs Im 4’11 went to the Obgyn they ruled out ovarian cysts however I have a bunch in my breasts so now I have to go in Feb to a breast cancer specialist. The Obgyn agrees with the Endocrinologist about p.c.o.s. I do have some insulin resistance but my sugar levels and thyroid are normal. Testosterone is still high, struggling to lose more weight what else can I do? Im at a loss, can pcos be from cysts in the breasts not the ovaries? Very confused about this…
Hey Danielle,
Your insulin levels and blood sugar levels are most likely not “normal”, your current physicians are just using the standard range to evaluate it.
I am an active 63 obviously post menopausal woman. I have both high testosterone and DHEA s. I am scheduled to see an endocrinologist but can not get in until July. We need endocrinologists here. Anyway I have the usual symptoms male pattern balding (I have always been know for my thick hair) lots of new dark facial hair and I am irritated and impatient all the time.
What I would like to know is if this could be causing me to experience adrenaline rushes. This only happens at night when I am sleeping. Of course this wakes me up into a flight or fight response. I am in constant dream mode (per a recent sleep study) and seldom go into restorative sleep. Off and on I get 4 to 5 hours of sleep per night due to these persistent rushes. No wonder I am irritated right! These never occur when I am awake during the day. Can this be due to my high testosterone and DHEA s levels. Feels like I am going crazy at times. Thanks for your input on this.
PS. I have a stress free life except for the above problem.
Hey Debra,
They could be related to a number of issues, definitely hormone related (cortisol, estradiol, epi/norepi) but most likely not related to testosterone levels.
Hi, I am 18 and have had no period for 6 months as well as blood work shows high testosterone level, I also have a high insulin level mark around my neck for past year but blood work for that is normal. I have been 120 ish lbs last 3 years. But in the last 3 month am up to 165. I have not changed my diet and continue to exercise. My doctor sent me to an endocrinologist who rechecked blood work and only thing came back was high testosterone level again. Did a pelvic ultrasound that came back normal. Dr wants to just put me on a birth control that could take 6 months to start periods. But everything I was told before was that they wanted to get to the root of the problem prior to starting any treatment. Now seems like they don’t know so they just want to put me on a med. Confuses and frustrated to not get to the bottom of such rapid onset of extreme changes Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Dianne
Hi, I am a 49 year old woman who had a hysterectomy when I was 27 and have been dealing not only with hormone issues but also weight issues for a long time. I have developed high blood sugar and also have minor gastroparesis. I recently had blood work done and my fasting Insulin was 19, both my total and free testosterone were high and my cortisol was on the high end of normal. My blood sugar was staying around 130-140’s but this time it has jumped up to 180’s with an A1C of 7.6. It has never been that high ever!! I am fatigued all the time, even when I get 8 hours of sleep. I cannot lose weight at all no matter if I cut carbs or not and all my weight is situated around my mid section. I have terrible mood swings. I work 6 days a week so I do not do a lot of exercise. I have been to Dr. after Dr. trying to figure something out but no one ever gives me an answer. I would love to wake up and feel good for once.
Hey Shannon,
You should try to find a physician that specializes in hormones (not an endocrinologist), you will likely have to look outside of the insurance model for physicians who will actually be able to help you.
I recently went to an internist, who takes an alternative approach.
He is having me take a DUTCH test.
https://dutchtest.com/
I’m looking forward to my results!
Hi Dr. Childs, Thank you so much for this very informative article!
I am a 29 year old female and just had some blood work done that showed my testosterone levels are slightly elevated (55 ng/dL). My doctor said all my other levels were “normal”, but what you said about the LH and FSH levels caught my attention because my LH is 10.87 mIU/mL and FSH is 6.12 mIU/mL, so not totally off but not equal, either. This all came about because I’m searching for answers as to why I have 45 day menstrual cycles (and sometimes 15 day cycles) and am having trouble conceiving. It took my husband about 2 years to get pregnant with our first daughter and we have been trying to get pregnant now again for a year and a half with no luck (she is 2.5 years old). Shortly before finally conceiving our first child, my husband and I changed to a low-glycemic diet (mostly to lose weight) but it was the first time I had ever had regular periods and then we found out we were pregnant. Is it possible that I’m Insulin Resistant and the low-glycemic diet helped regulate my hormones enough to get pregnant (my HbA1C is 5.5% and my eAG is 111 mg/dL if that helps)? I’m not getting very far with my doctor, as she doesn’t want to get to the root but just suggested I try Clomid to stimulate ovulation, but I would much rather find the cause and correct that. Should pursue trying to find out if I have PCOS brought on by Insulin Resistance, or just try going back to a low-glycemic diet (and then continuing this from now on not just to get pregnant or lose weight) since there isn’t a cure for PCOS only ways to manage it?
Thanks for any advice you can give!
Thank you for an excellent article! Timely as I’ll be having fasting, and infection blood work done soon and can add these hormone tests in also.
I’ve know that my hormones were out of balance and because of heavy pregnancy weight gains then slowly gaining through the years to about double the weight at age 55. Plus the soft blond facial hair turning to course, dark facial hair under nose and chin and a few cheekbone sites, and formerly had trouble with diabetes, the thyroid and adrenals. Currently only some infection and adrenal stuff is going on. The Leptin connection is new to me and I’ll be putting a great number of these things from your article into practise.
The lab I’m thinking of using is: https://www.healthonelabs.com/tests_offer/index/24
They have 10 hormone choices. Is the Basic Hormone Package the best one for me to choose? I’ll also be doing the Comprehensive Health Profile Package. Again, thanks for a great How-To Take Care of It article.
Hi Dr. Childs,
Great Article! This info will be very helpful for my wife.
I was just wondering what specifically you did for yourself in the beginning when you found you had “Adrenal Fatigue, Gluten and dairy intolerance, Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and a number of basic nutrient deficiencies” that brought you back to health?
Sincerely,
Jay
Hey Jay,
It took me about 1 year to fix all of those problems, with various steps involved along the way. Much of what I learned in the process is posted in some form on this blog.
Hello!
Thank you so much for this article! I am trying to figure out what to do about my 10 year old daughter. She has started developing body odor, breast buds and most recently a peach fuzz type mustache and body hair. She has always had a fair complexion with dark hair, but it seems to be getting worse. She complains of stomach cramps about once a month & Im so afraid she is going to start her period. Can you please give me advice on what I should do, where I should take her, what tests to run? I am so afraid this is all happening too soon & I do not want her to have to endure the whole female issues this early in life.
Thank you for any advice!
Hello 2 years ago i was diagnosed with thyroid and docter put me on 50 mg levaxin soon after i started losing and thinning hair docter ask me to use rogain without any further hormonal issues my periods are abnormally heavy i was iron deficient and take good multivitamin and iron supplements along with good diet but nothing works for my hair loss im also having infertility issues an you please help me what further i can do to fix my problem?
Hey Fatima,
I would check out this post for more info: https://www.restartmed.com/thyroid-hair-loss/
I have PCOS and my testosterone was 90 on 1/11/17. They tested my glucose, GHB, creatinine and BUN and all of it was totally normal. I was prescribed and started Metformin (1500 mg) and testosterone was 68 on 2/3/17. I started on 2000mg metformin and had testosterone checked on 2/24/17 and it was 64.
If insulin resistance isn’t the “cause” of the high testosterone, what do you think is? Why did metformin work but only a little?
I’m thin and don’t have any of the “normal” symptoms of high testosterone or PCOS. I’m wondering if something else is causing the high testosterone. I eat dairy because I don’t eat meat. How do you get protein if you can’t eat meat, soy or dairy? I drink protein shakes but hear that isn’t sufficient as an alternative. I take a prenatal that has fish oil. I don’t drink caffeine or alcohol or take stimulants. I feel like all roads point at an adrenal issue but I’m doing all the things you recommended. What do you think my next steps are to get that testosterone value down?? Thanks in advance.
Hey Tricia,
Part of the problem is that metformin is not enough to treat insulin resistance by itself. It works, but only slightly, so you can’t really say that insulin resistance isn’t the cause of your problem until you actually treat it. You should also make sure that you are getting non whey based protein powder. You can get protein from beans, etc. in plants and there are plant based protein powders.
Hi Dr.!
Really enjoying your site! Trying to figure out how I fit into this matrix:
I am in my early 30s, tall-ish, average weight which fluctuates from 125-155 depending on exercise and diet. Only mildest acne now due to skincare regime, but was awful as a kid. No idea if my cycles are normal because I’ve been on birth control forever. Some extra hairs here & there, but nothing out of ordinary. However, starting hair is thinning at crown & diagnosed with alopecia. Often suffer from fatigue and mood imbalances.
My is TT 54 ng/dl, SBH 65 n/mol, & albumin 4.8 which is in range according to doc, albeit higher end for TT. So why is my bioavailable T calculating at 15.7 ng/dl? I have been on birth control, and the upper range I am finding is 4 ng/dl.
I am not sure what the root cause is. Dr. Says maybe PCOS, but blood sugar within range. Fasting glucose is steadily 97 mg/dl, a1c 512, fasting insulin 8. Perfect blood pressure. TSH in range at 1.89 & not anemic. However, cholesterol high 245 total, 166 LDL, 59 hdl & triglyceride 123. Almost high Uris acid (6) and sodium (141) fasting.
What gives? Any suggestions on how to talk to my doctor about my concerns with the bioavilable T? She doesn’t seem too concerned.
Thank you!
Hey Karin,
Fasting insulin isn’t the best way to assess for insulin resistance, the definitive test is a 2 hour post prandial insulin level which will show if you have insulin resistance or not.
Hi!
I hope you are still answering questions on this blog!
I stumbled upon it in my search for answers related to unusual blood work and a diagnosis that doesn’t make sense to me. I came of the BCP in April of 2005. By January 2006 I still had no had a period and so a gynecologist sent me for random blood work to determine the cause. The blood work showed a Total Testosterone level of 141ng/dl (high) but a normal Free Testosterone level of 1.1pg/nl My fasting insulin was 5.9 uiu/ml (normal) and TSH was 2.49. (DHEA, DHEAS, estrogen and progesterone were not tested). She diagnosed me with PCOS which didn’t seem to fit as I didn’t have any symptoms of the syndrome. I have had blood work run several times since 2006 to “monitor” my supposed PCOS and my levels have all been normal every time.
I have been told by two endocrinologists (whose specialty was thyroid disorders) that I cured my PCOS, but at the same time have been told by a gynecologist and two general practitioners that you can’t cure PCOS.
Do you have any insight as to what could have cause the temporary elevation in Total Testosterone only?
Hi! Fabulous information . Just had my labs done & my progesterone dropped 1.00 & my testosterone both total & free were elevated 3x what they should be. I’ve been bioidentical estradiol& progesterone& nature throid for 12 years & have done very well. Occasionally testosterone jumps higher. Could chronic stress & or gum disease cause hormone imbalances?? I’m healthy & workout 5-6 days a week & eat a healthy diet. However I help my 88 year old mom daily so thats added stress of course. I just recently had some dental issues & had the lanap laser surgery on gums. It was suggested by my compounding pharmacy to take indole 3 carbinol to help balance things out. My thyroid & estradiol levels are good. Please advise on testosterone ,thank you in advance. susan
Hey Susan,
Yes, chronic stress can certainly impact hormonal levels including testosterone – most likely through cortisol.
I think I may have hormone issues, but do not know what category I would fit in. Not overweight, 5’1″ 115 pounds, eat healthy, exercise, do not smoke, drink occasional wine. My skin is extremely oily! By mid day an oil slick. I have face/body hair from head to toe, all blonde, but longer and more than any other female I have come across, even though a dermatologist told me it was normal (example, hair on arms is blonde, but almost a few inches long! longer then guys even). I have some acne here and there, but not too bad, except black heads on nose. I had done some research on my own and found out about testosterone/DHT as cause of oily skin. I have read that some people can have normal levels, but skin sensitivity to DHT, causing excess oil and hair. I asked my dermatologist to use spironolactone and she agreed. This is the only thing that has ever helped my oily skin, but I have not seen reduction in hair after around seven months. Any suggestions?
Thanks!!!
I did a Dutch steroid hormone test and found out that my androgens and testosterone are high as well as a couple estrogens. I also saw my DHEAS was high. I can’t stop gaining weight and I can’t figure out what is causing it. Progesterone was normal. I suspect adrenal. I have had chronic pain which comes and goes and is neurological. Other tests reveal low gut bio diversity even though I eat a ton of veggies and beta glucaronidase. Liver needs support as well. Is there anything you suggest?
Hey Keri,
It’s most likely insulin related, if you check a 2 hour post prandial insulin level you will likely have your answer.
Can you still have insulin resistance if your HbA1C is 4.6 and a random glucose test showed normal?
Hello,
I am 33 and within the last 2 years I have began balding on top, around my temples and just in general I have had hair loss of about 50%. I am extremely angry all the time, I have a 10 second memory span as well and cannot focus to save my life. I have thick hair that has been growing on my chin and stomach. I have also gained 15 pounds in about a year that will not go away. I decided to ask to have my Estrogen and Testosterone levels checked Estradoil: 89.80 pg/ml Testosterone Free 5.3 pg/ml and Testosterone Total: 60 ng/dl. My doc referred me to an ENDO. Should I be worried? I began taking Saw Palmetto and Licorice as well as drinking Spearmint tea. I am also seeing an Acupuncturist. Please help, I don’t want to feel so angry all the time.
Hi Dr. Childs , I have a question. I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 16 and I have been on birth control ever since. About 2 years ago my thyroid decided to stop working so I have been taking Synthroid 75 a day ever since and my thyroid is working just fine. I decided to stop birth control because I would like to start a family. Long story short, I had blood work done and found out my testosterone level (testosterone serum total) is 64 and apparently the range is up to 55. my free testosterone serum seems to be fine (2.6) but my % of free testosterone (dialysis) is low at 0.4 . I am not sure if those changes are happening because I stopped the birth control pills and that is what was controlling my hormones. My endo prescribed me 500mg of metformin daily so I am doing that. My insuline level is normal. I am not overweight, I lift weights 5 times a week and I have a healthy diet. I decided to stop all sort of dairy because since I stopped the BC I started suffering from severe acne (now I am taking accutane for that in hopes it will help) but to be honest, I am not sure about why is this happening. Why is my testosterone high? is this the root cause of my acne? my other hormones seem to be doing fine. What other blood work should I get done to find the root of all of this mess? sorry about my long post and thank you very much for reading this and replying 🙂
Hi Dani,
It’s best to have a complete functional blood chemistry analysis to start, that will help determine which (if any) advanced tests you need.
Hi Dr. Childs, thank you for your response. I have all my labtest results. Everything came back normal except testosterone and cholesterol (I am taking accutane right now so that was expected). Even tho I am not overweight or anything my metabolism is extremely slow and for such a high testosterone, I have an incredibly hard time building muscles and burning fat / increasing lean mass. I did the comprehensive blood panel and all came back normal. Should I test DSH? I dont want to sound desperate but I am . I want to have a six pack and have a face free of acne and live a happy life but it has been almost impossible. I feel fine I have energy but I know something is just not right.
Your help is appreciated. If you offer any type of private consultation or skype or something could you let me know? I live in Florida. Thanks.
Hi Dr Childs, your knowledge is outstanding and greatly appreciated. My daughter’s testosterone is threw the roof. Endo said it’s too high to be pcos. Hair growing on face, back, acne along chin line and hair line receding. She has become allergic to all kinds of food at the age of 34. She does have a dermoid cyst on right ovary but dr’s have not helped diagnose the issue. Is it possible that the cyst could cause testosterone to be excessive. She used to be very outgoing and is now depressed. Thankyou, Sharon
Hi Sharon,
It could also be related to some kind of adrenal hyperplasia issue. Your endocrinologist should know to look for this as well.
Hi Dr Childs, I am trying to concieve, and i have thyroid also, and my doc asked me to take few tests, to check the testosterone levels. I got testosterone as 77. She said its very high and asked me to take yasmin contraceptive pills(drospirenone and ethinylestradiol) for 1 month and said this will lower testosterone, if not will continue next month too. I am worried about this way of treating. Plz help
Hi In,
I can’t speak to that particular combination of medications as I’ve never used them before in that way.
I had to have a hysterectomy and oopherectomy at only 28 years old. I weighed 125 lbs, and always had since about 10 years old (I weighed even less before that). My doctor started me on estrogen and testosterone replacement. I began gaining weight and growing hair on my chin, but I was told that was just a side effect for some. To make a very long story short… over the last 5 years I gained 95 lbs. and have severe chronic pain. I have always excercised, eaten very healthy foods and only drink water or unsweetened tea. However, I am now disabled at 36 years old! I started studying the lab reports that doctors had to send in for my case last year, and my testosterone levels are over 300 for total as well as up to 7 or 8 for free!! I feel like something is seriously wrong with me, and my weight just keeps rising. It does not respond to anything. My DHEA level is at 451. What is happening here and what do I need to do next? Pease help me understand so I can get my body and life back!
PS- I forgot to mention that the extremely high testosterone lab results have been consistently that high for more than 5 years!
Just got bloodwork back from endocrinologist. Testosterone was110. I have been sick for 6 mo w/o answers. I believe that it is connected with adrenals which were low for a morning reading. You mentioned to another commenter that she should take her daughter to a doctor, not an endocrinologist, who understands hormone balancing. What kind of doctor would that be?
Hi Salvia,
You can try a more conventional doctor for problems like adrenal hyperplasia, etc., but if your problem is related to insulin resistance causing high testosterone you will need to see someone who specializes more in the PCOS spectrum.
Hi there,
I have hashimotos and androgenic alopecia. I have been supplementing with 10,000 IUs of Vitamin D for months and still my vitamin D is Low (around 28). My testosterone is high. Is there any correlation between vitamin D and testosterone?
Dear Dr. Childs,
I had to have a hysterectomy and oopherectomy at only 28 years old. I weighed 125 lbs, and always had been small. My doctor started me on estrogen and testosterone replacement (pellets). I began gaining weight and growing hair on my chin, but I was told that was just a side effect for some. To make a very long story short… over the last 5 years I gained 95 lbs. and have severe chronic pain. I have always exercised, eaten very healthy foods and only drink water or unsweetened tea. However, I am now disabled at 36 years old! I started studying the lab reports that doctors had to send in for my case last year, and my testosterone levels are over 300 for total as well as up to 7 or 8 for free!! I feel like something is seriously wrong with me, and my weight just keeps rising. It does not respond to anything. My DHEA level is at 451. What is happening here and what do I need to do next? Please help me understand so I can get my body and life back! Update: I tested positive for ANA and RF last week and the doctor wants to start me on methotrexate immediately. I am very worried about taking this and possibly getting more sick. I am told that the soonest I can get in to see a Rheumatologist is October. I am considering checking into Cleveland Clinic because I have too much going on and I feel that my condition(s) need personalized care. Any suggestions for are VERY much appreciated. I am a Neuroscience graduate, and I really want to get healthy again so I can continue pursuing my goals. Thank you!
I have been having issues since January 2017 , I have had inflammation in my left and right armpit glands it come and goes typically it is stronger towards menstration. I have a flutter in my throat also it seems to act up more in the afternoons a pose to the am. I have had a scan done of my glands and everything came back clear just inflamed. My thyroid was checked and it has to nodes and shows to be functioning normal. I recently had my testosterone and oestrogen levels checked and they were extremely high. I have been infertile for 10 years and now at the age of 32 I went to a fertility specialist and she said I had in Indometriosis and I’m a lazy Ovulator. Since January I have had late periods and now a light one that won’t go away. I never had acne growing up until my 20s as well as hair growth on the face .
The doctor seemed to be stumped at why I’m having all of these symptoms , I am really depressed and irritable ( emotional ) not feeling like myself.
The doctor checked my cholesterol and it is high, I am overweight and have been working on it for years. I have recently started the Mediterranean diet, and gave up eating meat.
I have an appointment in June to see an endocrinologist , I have put up with the acne hair growth and weight gain for years , The flattery my throat is what terrifies me. I have had my heart checked with an EKG on two occasions and it came back clear.
Have you ever heard of someone with a high testosterone having this type of flutter in the throat. The best way I can describe the flutter is air coming out of the tube with the interruption of the hand passing over the top.
Any help would be much appreciated
Hi Jennifer,
I have not had patients with high testosterone endorse those symptoms.
Hi Jennifer,
I feel I have similar problem. I started observing that I have weird pain on my thyroid for a month. I have high DHEAS and insulin too. Were you able to find out the reason for it? Did you fix the issue?
Hi there,
Just found your post and it’s super helpful.
I was just informed by my dr that my testosterone levels are up this month from the test they ran in Jan. Kind of freaked me out. But after reading your post I feel much better. I actually went to the dr in Jan because of hair loss, and unexpected weight gain. So seems like they’re on the right track.
Anyways, thank you for uou post. It’s proven to be very educational amd I now know better questions to ask when I next see me dr.
Thank uou again.
No problem, I’m glad you found it helpful.
What are your thoughts on supplementing with Inositol?
Hi Jen,
I like it and use it on occasion, like other supplements it depends on the situation.
Hi I would really like your advice on what to do. I’m ac28 years old woman and I have done a fasting blood test (not quite sure the right term for it) anyways, the reason it was done is because I have hair growing under my chin area not a lot though, but I do have a lot growing on my chest. Ever since I know myself I’ve had mood swings and anger for no reason as according to people. It never bothered me because that is how I’ve been forever . The results came back from the test and the only thing that was high was my testosterone level it was a 54. The doctor automatically told me I have pcos. I don’t agree because I have 4 children and after researching pcos most woman can’t have children. I’ve been the same weight since I was 16 I’m 6″0 feet tall and weigh 144. It seems I can’t gain weight (not really complaining though) but I really don’t want to be on birth control anymore it makes me feel weird, but it helps the hair growth, not a lot but it helps. I don’t have any other issue other than the hair but if did have other issues I wouldn’t really know because I don’t pay much attention because I been this way forever. I exercise a lot but it’s like natural for me. I don’t want to take any drugs but I would like for the hair growth in odd places to stop and maybe gain a lil weight to have a more girly figure. If you can tell me what test to take then I can maybe have more information for you because that is all I have so far. Thanks again for your time. My name is Shanel by the way.
Hello,
My 17-hydroxyprogesterone came back a bit high at 319.00 ng/dL two days after ovulation (high according to my lab but online I read it can be up to 500 ng/dL in luteal phase?). What is the best way to lower DHEAS and adrenal hormones that are causing high testosterone?
Thanks!
Hi Dr. Childs,
I read through your post as well as all of your replies to the comments- finally someone who seems to know what they are talking about!In an earlier comment you mentioned that a cortisol problem could also have an effect on testosterone. My serum testosterone has hovered between 100 and 134 (!) for almost 2 years. Free testosterone has always been in the “normal” range (actually low end to low mid range normal). After numerous scans and ultrasounds (no cysts in ovaries, adrenal etc on abdominal CT appear normal)- endocrinologist says I have a “perhaps a subclinical form of PCOS” and prescribed me spironolactone(yuck).
I have lost a ton of hair around hairline, and have growth on lip and chin area. I am 5’2 and weigh about 105 soaking wet. In addition to anxiety- I am exhausted- and I do mean exhausted- most of the time. Recently, I has cortisol saliva tests done and my cortisol is quite low (4.3) in the morning and also low again around 7 pm. Also, I am now told that my fasting glucose is a bit high (not diabetic range, but not normal).
My gut keeps telling me this is lifestyle and stress related. I have been under chronic stress for a number of years, and about the time I noticed my hair started first falling out I was under quite severe stress. Is it at all possible that this could be caused by stress?? Appreciate the insight, and thank you for all your efforts on this blog- wow!
H
Hi Dr. Childs,
I am 44 years old. I’ve been chasing the route of my adult acne for nine months now. I have had Malasma for a few years. I’m 99% sure it’s hormone related. I do everything right, diet, exercise, I take care of my self daily. I’m not overweight.
I have seen some thinning in my part , however fortunately, treatment shampoos have helped significantly.
I breakout same time monthly with cystic acne.
I will see my GYN next week. Can you recommend treatment I might ask her to discuss with me upon my visit? I’m normally anti medication but I’m so tired of chasing my acne and malasma .
Thank you,
Leann
Hi Leann,
You have to figure out which hormone problem you are suffering from in order to target treatment. You will need to get evaluated for testosterone, estrogen, progesterone and thyroid imbalances – this would be the best place to start.
Dear Dr. Childs,
I posted my questions/concerns twice previously (On April 14th and 28th starting with the oopherectomy and hysterectomy) but I’m not sure if you have seen them? Please respond to my post. I am very worried, and my doctor is telling me that testosterone pellet levels are different than other forms? I do not understand how my blood levels being so excessively high (see prior posts) can not be contributing to all this resistant weight gain, high DHEA, hirsutism and fatigue. Please help me understand. I have such appreciation and respect for your expertise and experience. Thank you so much.
Warm regards,
Jennifer Wilkes
Hi Dr. Childs,
I’m 26 years old and have been experiencing symptoms of what I believe to be high testosterone… Or at least some kind of hormonal imbalance?
To give a few: I’m always tired/fatigued, constant mood swings, blood sugar fluctuations (for instance, I’ll feel shaky and dizzy if I don’t eat every couple hours. I’ve nearly fainted a couple times), rapid heart beat – it only happens every couple months and it comes on suddenly, sleep issues, blurred vision throughout the day, and I’ve acne for the past 1.5 years – thankfully it’s gotten A LOT better.
I don’t have any sort of hair loss … my hair is still thick and healthy looking. And, I’ve only gained about 7 lbs in the last year … (I used to be 105, now I’m around 112 lbs). I also exercise regularly (weight-lifting, and I do HIIT/sprints on a regular basis) … So, not sure what could be causing my symptoms. I also eat a healthy diet rich in protein and complex carbohydrates, so I can’t imagine that I’m diabetic. And I take vitamins every day (Calcium, magnesium, salt, potassium, B1, B-complex, minerals, etc.)
I got blood work done @ my doctor’s office (towards the beginning of April), and the upshot was that I have high testosterone – They said my level was at 86. My progesterone and estrogen came back in normal range.
I’ve also had my thyroid tested periodically and everything comes back in the optimal range.
My doctor recommended that I go see an endocrinologist for further evaluation, so I’m going to see one on Thursday.
Just wanted to know if you’ve had patients w/similar issues to mine? If so … Is there any advice/recommendations you could give me?
Sorry if this was super long and boring … I’m thankful for any advice you’re able to give me!
Firstly, thank you so much for the wealth of information you have provided. I am 47 yrs old and have a combination of issues and confused as to which to treat. I had an extensive panel of bloodwork done and my doctor pretty much ignored everything except for my high TSH and prescribed thyroid meds. I have high TPO, high TSH, high DHEA, high Free Testosterone, low AM cortisol only, high A1C. I have had constant weight gain, facial hair, hair thinning, acne, anger/rage, cyctic breasts. My periods have always been normal and have never missed one, and I have had healthy pregnancies/births. Based on my blood test and symptoms, I have Hashimoto’s, insulin resistance, PCOS, Adrenal fatigue, and low progesterone which is 12 during my luteal phase. I have tried keto/low carb diet which increased high testerone symptoms and no weight loss. I’ve tried intermittent fasting with no results. Same goes for calorie restriction dieting. Should I treat my hashi, pcos, or adrenals? I am confused about which came first, the chicken or the egg. Thank you!
Hi Kristina,
The best thing you can do is find someone willing to help guide you. There is no substitution for personal help from a knowledgable source, it’s helpful for you to have some information and knowledge, but it doesn’t replace a physician – especially with multiple complex issues.
Hello Dr. Child’s,
My doctor just called today with my results from a saliva hormone test I did. First let me explain my health issues-I am 48, 100 lbs, 5’8″, and was diagnosed in 2008 with Lupus and autoimmune hepatitis. I went through the 2 rounds of prednisone initially as well as plaquenil and budesonide, before I stopped all medications and started treatment with a Naturopath and now a D.O. I since have developed RA, and my main symptom is always joint pain, which gets much worse right before and during my periods. Anyway, I take many supplements including DHEA-7, and my recent hormone test showed elevated testosterone, estrogen and DHEA. I have no hair growth/loss, acne, and cannot gain weight to save my life. Do you think the DHEA supplement may be the cause of my high testosterone? Also, my adrenals are fatigued. I haven’t seen my doctor yet, but I would like to have some idea of what to ask when I see him. Thx!
Hello Dr Childs,
I have been diagnosed with PCOS, last month and have been told that most probably it might be a hormonal issue but due to lack of professional doctors in my country and state I am a bit apprehensive to go to an endochronologist. I have thick facial hair growth especially on chin and upper neck and severe hair loss issues, both of which vary according to the “Way I feel”, some of the weeks its very severe and some of the weeks its bearable which it is directly linked to my emotional wellness. I have severe mood swings which I cant help. I also have on and off back pain. I am 26 and these symptoms started showing since i was 17. Rest everything is OK. I am lean, tall, fit and have periods on time.I usually have home cooked healthy diet and barely have any junk food. Would i have any insulin related issues?
Kindly suggest any lifestyle/dietary changes so that I dont further mess up my hormones going to a probable unqualified endochronologist.
I understand that i would have to seek a med practioner but if it is controlled by lifestyle/dietary then it would be the best for me
Thank you!
Hi Milli,
Yes it is still possible to be lean and still have issues with insulin regulation, so it’s certainly a possibility but you should check your labs to confirm.
Hello Dr. Childs,
I have had an issue with hair loss for about half a year now. it was so concerning that I met with a physician, but they weren’t sure of the cause. They preformed some blood tests but most were normal. My testosterone was normal, but vitamin B levels were low. Also, I believe my DHEA levels were high. I think my hair loss has to do with my lifestyle change that I began a year ago. I was overweight and completely changed my diet and exercise (I am now weightlifting). This is when I started noticing my hair loss. Now I have noticed increased leg hair as well as facial hair. I did notice a few abnormal periods, but they have been normal for the most part. Are there over the counter treatments or is this something where I should see a professional. I have not done anything about this, and I’m worried they will lead to more issues.
Hi Stephanie,
You can find a complete list of hair regrowth vitamins and nutrients required for hair growth in this article: https://www.restartmed.com/hair-growth-vitamins/