Testosterone in blood (chromatography)
Testosterone occupies a central position among androgens - male sex hormones, which determine the development of reproductive organs in men and determine the formation of secondary sexual characteristics, as well as maintaining general health. The same hormone is present in smaller concentrations in the female body, performing equally important biological functions. During the day, testosterone levels are subject to fluctuations: they reach peaks in the morning and lows in the afternoon. Physical activity favours its increase, whereas with age there is a tendency for its concentration to decrease.
Androgens, derived from cholesterol and synthesised by both the sex glands (testes in men and ovaries in women) and the adrenal glands of both sexes, play a crucial role in the development of male sex characteristics. Their imbalance can lead to serious violations:
Testosterone levels increase when:
- Premature sexual development (PSD)
- Hyperthyroidism
- Tumors of the testicles/ovaries/adrenal glands
- Congenital adrenal dysfunction (CAD)
- Itsenko-Cushing's disease and related syndromes
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Adrenogenital syndrome
- Chromosomal anomaly XYY
- Decrease in the level of globulins binding sex hormones
- Taking danazol (in high doses), dehydroepiandrosterone, finasterine, flutamide and other drugs
The decrease in the level is due to:
- Diseases of the hypothalamus or pituitary gland
- Genetic disorders (for example, Klinefelter syndrome)
- Disorders of gonadotropin synthesis and hyperprolactinemia
- Adrenal insufficiency
- Hypogonadism
- Oral contraceptives
- Gozerelina
In men, a decrease in testosterone leads to:
- Obesity
Taking certain medications also helps to lower hormone levels, including danazol (in low doses), buzerin, carbamazepine and other medications. In women, a decrease in testosterone is observed when using:
Additional factors include the use of dexamethasone, ketoconazole, methylprednisolone and other steroids.