Ironically, this hormone testosterone is apparent in both males and females but in different quantities. It is revealed in the general body functions, starting with the compound formation of bone and muscles and continuing to sexual reproduction. This hormone is said to be particularly male, though it plays a part in the process of sexual differentiation. This is because hormonal testing of testosterone can give some valuable information concerning your state of health in general. If the level is another thing, it may mean some illness there is. Fortunately, there are at home testosterone test kit that make this test easier and more affordable than before. In this article, the author is going to explain what testosterone is, why people should monitor it, and especially how one could monitor the hormone that leads to taking control of one’s life.
What is Testosterone, and What Does it Do?
Testosterone is a male sex hormone referred to as androgen, which is synthesized in the testes in men and in the female ovaries and adrenal glands. It serves a variety of key functions in the male hormone cycle, including:
- Developing male reproductive tissues and regulating fertility
- Building bone and muscle mass
- Distributing fat tissue
- Production of red blood cells
- Libido and sexual function
The hormone is commonly labeled as the “male” hormone, yet women’s total testosterone levels are only 10-20% of that.
Testosterone is a ‘vital force’ that energizes, strengthens, stabilizes, and makes both males and females feel whole. They rise in young people, particularly at adolescence and early adulthood, and gradually decrease with age.
Free and Bound Testosterone
Testosterone exists in the body in two main forms:
- Free Testosterone: This is testosterone in which none of its molecules are attached to the proteins present in blood; it is the freely available form that may directly enter cells and stimulate receptors. Such levels are generally approximate 2-3% of total testosterone level.
- Bound Testosterone: About 60-80 percent of circulating testosterone is bound to other proteins such as SHBG and albumin, and beats only 2 percent of it is free. This bound testosterone is deemed inactive because it is unable to leave the blood and translocate to the appropriate tissues. However, it is a reserve that can quickly convert to free testosterone when needed.
It is important to measure even the total testosterone and free testosterone to get an idea about the androgen level. Obesity, for instance, will cause the levels of SHBG to rise by binding more testosterone, reducing the free levels. So, while total testosterone appears normal, free testosterone is low, causing symptoms. Testing both forms helps guide treatment decisions.
Reasons to Test Your Testosterone
There are several reasons to monitor your testosterone levels, including:
- Symptoms of low or high testosterone
- Routine screening for certain ages
- Specific health conditions
Transgender hormone therapy monitoring
Symptoms of abnormal testosterone levels can indicate an underlying issue. In males, low testosterone can cause:
- Low sex drive
- Erectile dysfunction
- Depressed mood and difficulty concentrating
- Reduced muscle mass and strength
- Increased body fat
Females may experience:
- Reduced sexual desire
- Depression, anxiety, and lack of focus
- Changes in menstrual cycle
- Thinning hair
- Growth of facial and body hair
For middle-aged and older males, routine testosterone testing can detect age-related decline. Levels naturally decrease after age 30, but excessively low levels may require treatment.
Metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and pituitary tumors, are other causes of testosterone problems. Testing helps diagnose these conditions.
For example, patients diagnosed as male to female transsexuals taking testosterone replacement therapy, the testing confirms the correct dosages of hormones, and the results assess the effectiveness of the therapy.
Clinical Testing vs. At-Home Test Kits
Traditionally, testosterone testing requires a blood draw at a lab or doctor’s office. The sample then gets sent for analysis to determine concentration. Clinical tests are highly accurate but less convenient.
At-home testosterone test kits provide a sampling alternative that is easy to use and more affordable. No lab or phlebotomist is needed. Most kits test levels using blood from a simple finger prick or saliva. You collect a sample in the privacy of your home and mail it to a lab for analysis.
In general, at-home kits have comparable accuracy if sampling protocols are carefully followed.
How to Test Testosterone Levels
Using an at-home test kit is quick and straightforward:
- Order a Test Kit: Reputable home testosterone tests can be purchased online or from pharmacies. Choose whether you prefer saliva or testosterone blood test.
- Prepare for Your Test: Avoid eating, drinking, or brushing teeth for 30 minutes before testing, as this can alter results. Some kits recommend gently rubbing the testing area to stimulate blood flow beforehand.
- Collect Your Sample: For blood testing, prick your fingertip and let a droplet of blood fall onto the collection card. Regarding saliva, spin the PCR tube and transfer saliva spit into a collection tube until it is filled.
- Send to the Lab: Place your sample card in the return mailer and drop in the mailbox. Avoid touching collection areas after sampling.
- Receive Your Results: You’ll receive a detailed testosterone test report within a few days. This will include your testosterone levels and an interpretation based on standard health ranges.
Understanding Your Test Results
Test reports present results in nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). The table below shows normal reference ranges:
| Group | Normal Testosterone Range |
| Males age 19-39 | 250-827 ng/dL |
| Males age 40-59 | 193-761 ng/dL |
| Females age 19-39 | 8-48 ng/dL |
| Females age 40-59 | 10-54 ng/dL |
Ranges can vary slightly between different laboratories. If your result falls outside of normal ranges, it indicates potential high or low testosterone:
- Low testosterone (below range) may suggest hypogonadism or underlying illness. Symptoms like low libido and fatigue may present.
- High testosterone (above range) is less common but can indicate a hormone disorder or steroid use if not associated with testosterone therapy. Acne, aggression, and masculine features can occur.
However, temporary lifestyle factors like diet, exercise, sleep, and stress can cause natural fluctuations too. Retesting is often needed to determine if abnormal levels warrant clinical investigation and treatment.
What Impacts Testosterone Levels?
Testosterone levels respond to various internal and external influences. As well as age-related decline, other factors like obesity, chronic disease, and medications can affect production.
Lifestyle and diet choices also play a key role. Excess body fat, inadequate fitness, poor sleep, smoking, and excessive alcohol tend to lower testosterone.
Conversely, weight loss, strength training, zinc-rich foods, and vitamin D can support healthy levels. Stress management is also beneficial.
When to Seek Medical Advice
You should consult a doctor or endocrinologist if:
- Symptoms are significantly impacting quality of life
- Test results are highly abnormal
- Levels don’t improve after lifestyle changes
Further clinical testing may be needed to confirm the at-home test results. Your doctor can then advise on potential treatments if low testosterone or other underlying conditions are diagnosed.
The Pros and Cons of At-Home Testing
At-home testosterone tests provide an affordable and convenient option for monitoring levels. However, they have some limitations to consider:
Pros:
- Lower cost than clinical tests
- Convenient home sampling
- Quick access to results
- Easy, regular retesting
Cons:
- Potential errors in sample collection
Generally less accurate than clinical tests - Still need doctor to interpret results
- Measures only total testosterone, not free and bound
Clinical lab testing remains the gold standard and is often needed to confirm at-home results before treatment decisions. However, at-home tests are extremely useful for routine tracking of levels and signaling potential issues.
Conclusion
Monitoring testosterone levels is important for both men and women to maintain energy, sexual health, and general wellbeing. Age-related decline and underlying illnesses can cause low testosterone, while lifestyle choices also play a role.
At-home testing empowers you to conveniently track your levels. While not a replacement for clinical tests, they allow you to spot potential issues early and seek medical advice when needed.