Low Testosterone? Women Have It Too!

When I mention the hormone Testosterone, people automatically associate it with men.  Maybe that's because if you sit down for any length of time and watch TV, you will probably notice an advertisement pop up regarding low levels of Testosterone (low T) in men along with a loooooong list of reasons one should not take it.  Sometimes I wonder why they even bother paying the high price to advertise because by the end of the commercial you want nothing to do with any treatment that's promoted, not just T.  The truth (in real life), however, is that men with low T who begin therapy tend to do very well, and improve in many different areas of need.  In fact, the list of men seeking hormone replacement therapy is growing significantly as medical studies continue to prove that testosterone is important for prevention of cardiovascular disease, brain protection, and various other concerns of aging men.  But, testosterone in women is incredibly important as well.  In fact, Testosterone does so many things for women and I encourage you to do your homework on the benefits.  No doubt with aging, Testostosterone production from the ovaries and adrenal glands begins to decline right along with the other major hormones.  This is so important that the FDA now has several products on the docket for the treatment of low T in women and soon I expect that you will see some of the same commercials being promoted for women's issues.  Here's what we already know and why we have been providing Testosterone for women for a very long time.  It's not uncommon for me to recommend Testosterone therapy in women and often just a very mild dose will correct most of their troublesome symptoms. 

Testosterone does the following things in the body:
Increases sense of well-being
Increases muscle mass and strength
Helps maintain memory
Helps in combatting saggy skin
Decreases excess body fat
Elevates neurotransmitters in the brain promoting better mood
Decreases bone deterioration and maintains bone strength
Increases libido

So how do you know if you might have low Testosterone ladies?  ...

These symptoms may correlate with a lowered amount of Testosterone in your body: 
 
Muscle wasting, despite exercise
Weight gain
Low self-esteem
Decreased HDL (good cholesterol)
Decreased sex drive
Mild depression
Less dreaming
Dry, thin skin, with poor elasticity
Thinning and dry hair
Droopy eyelids
Thin lips
Hypersensitivity and hyperemotional

Menopause is not the only reason for Testosterone going down, down, down.  Here are some other links:

Childbirth
Chemotherapy
Hysterectomy
Adrenal stress and burnout
Endometriosis
Depression
Psychological trauma and strain
Birth control pills
Cholesterol lowering meds (the "statins" in particular)

Occasionally when women decide to evaluate their Testosterone, it is discovered that they have a high amount in their body. 

These are more common symptoms of increased T if that is the case:
Anxiety
Fatigue
Low Blood Sugar
Salt and Sugar Cravings
Agitation
Facial Hair
Acne
Irregular menstrual cycles
Infertility
Fluid retention
Hair loss on the scalp and growth in unwanted areas

The long and short (literally) of Testosterone analysis is testing.  If any of these things are going on with you, it would be good to have a saliva hormone panel. I mention saliva because it is a great indicator due to the way that Testosterone moves across the cell wall and to the target receptor sites where we need it.  About one percent of the testosterone you make is "free", and the rest is in a bound form making it less usable by the body's system.  Women with increased Testosterone have more free T which is very specific to the way that saliva testing is assayed.

As with everything else that you may be reading about hormone replacement therapy, it is important to balance ALL hormones.  For instance, estrogen is needed to help testosterone work better.  And there are conversions of one hormone to another that need to be considered in those needing therapy.  Too much of something is rarely ever a good thing and can happen with hormone replacement therapies if no one is paying attention to these key details.  I happen to know the metabolic cascade of hormones which is essential in taking good care of men and women.  I also know the complimentary options in helping to rid certain hormones from the body if you happen to be high in particular hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and Testosterone.  AND.. Natural or Bio-identical Testosterone is definitely the way to go over synthetic options that are available on the market.  That's why both men and women are seeking this customized approach to their care. 

We've been providing testing kits and customized bio-identical hormone replacement therapies for almost 15 years now. You are uniquely designed and that's why we are interested in giving you the personalized therapy that you need to get back to looking better, feeling better, and living better.  It's the BEST way to do hormone replacement therapy and to get rid of these unwanted symptoms. 

Call us for a testing kit today. 


To your good health,
Dr. Sonja