The most abundant hormone in women. Lower percentage compared to men but still ultimately important. For instance, healthy male ranges in a 2022 pub med study stated 300-1000. In women they’re 15-70ng/dL though Centers for Disease Control list 8-49 ng/dL as healthy. The importance of this differential is this: are you focused on optimal ranges or on norms? And choosing a conservative governmental guideline or anyone quoting them, if you don’t feel good may leave out missing peer-reviewed evidence that other information exists. Remember it takes almost 2 decades, an average of 17 years for research to make it into mainstream. It takes longer to change a position statement or governmental guideline.
Recently, while experimenting with ways to stabilize levels of hormones overall, my tested level was well below 15, once at a 6! Not a great way to boost lean muscle mass.
And I knew it. Where once I was lifting X lbs, I was struggling with X- [purposefully, leaving numbers out.. There should be no comparison of what weight I lift to what what you lift. Heavy for you is reaching fatigue and the number of repetitions you should be reaching fatigue. The point… what was normal and challenging just a few months ago was suddenly not doable. So,
I knew.
Other Signs Testosterone Levels are Low:
Low sex drive
Bone density
Vaginal dryness
Low muscle mass
With low muscle mass- increased fat/belly fat
High Testosterone in Females:
Acne
Excess hair on face, back, chest
Oily skin
Irregular periods
In females, most testosterone converts into the sex hormone estradiol. In females ovaries produce testosterone and the adrenals produce a small amount of testosterone.
While it’s most known for sex drive and libido, then for muscle, it’s also important for bone and mental health and maintaining balance in other hormones.
Testosterone’s Role in the Human Body:
Blood cells
Body fat distribution and use
Bone density
Muscle strength
Sex drive
Breast health
Mental health
The most common testing reveals total testosterone. That’s a measure of both testosterone attached to proteins in the body and those not, that is referred to as free testosterone. It’s less commonly tested but measures the available testosterone in your body. A test for bioavailable testosterone is also available and you’d be working with a physician who deemed a need to deep dive if you were doing that.
How to Support Your Testosterone Levels:
Lifting weights with intensity (with adequate recovery)
HIIT (may not elevate much but will not harm T)
Adequate protein levels (it’s more than you think)
What Kills Testosterone Levels:
Endurance exercise
Sugar
Alcohol
stress
Low protein
It’s not just normal menopause or stress decreasing testosterone levels. Hormone disruptors are everywhere and can impact your testosterone levels (as well as other hormones). These hormone disruptors decrease testosterone production, or reduce use of testosterone by your body or reduce “free testosterone.”
BPA
The plastics used everywhere.
Don’t store food in them. Avoid heating in them.
Avoid plastic water bottles. Use glass and and stainless steel
Avoid the paper receipts
Avoid BPA-lined cans
Pesticides
A no-shoes policy in your house
Choose organics when possible
Wash produce before consuming
Forever chemicals
Avoid farm-raised fish and meat
In many dairy products
Keep paints, and toxic products in garage away from kitchen and living areas
Parabens
Read personal care labels carefully
Buy plant-based, organic when possible
References:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26358173/#:~:text=Clinical%20trials%20suggest%20that%20exogenous,musculoskeletal%20health%20in%20postmenopausal%20women.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9331845/
https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/104/10/4660/5556103
https://www.nrdc.org/stories/9-ways-avoid-hormone-disrupting-chemicals
https://www.endocrine.org/patient-engagement/endocrine-library/edcs#:~:text=EDCs%20are%20chemicals%20or%20mixtures,hormones%20from%20doing%20their%20job.
Resources:
14-day detox: https://www.flippingfifty.com/stress-less
10-Day Hot, Not Bothered Challenge: https://www.flippingfifty.com/hnb-challenge
Other Episodes You Might Like:
The Effects of Hormones on Lean Muscle (4 Studies): https://www.flippingfifty.com/effects-of-hormones-on-muscle/
It Takes More Than Hormones to Fix Hormones: https://www.flippingfifty.com/fix-your-hormones/
6 Ways Exercise Hurts or Helps Midlife Hormones: https://www.flippingfifty.com/midlife-hormones/
