Estrogenic testosterone. Hormones testosterone and estrogen - how they affect weight, mood, bones, heart and memory

IN male body estrogens are present in smaller quantities than in women, but perform no less important role. However, hyperestrogenism in men (high estrogen levels) can cause unwanted side effects.

In men, estradiol is synthesized in the testicles. Its usual concentration is low. With more high rates it causes gynecomastia with typically female secondary sexual characteristics.

: 40-180 pmol/l.

As a rule, an increase in the female hormone goes hand in hand with a decrease in typical male hormone– testosterone. Therefore, you should pay attention to this factor.

Symptoms of increased estrogen in men

The following signals may indicate that estradiol levels in the body are exceeded:

• problems with erection - increased estrogen in men and, accordingly, leads to erectile dysfunction;
• decreased libido;
• fatigue and lack of energy - a signal of hormonal imbalance may be the fact that a man is constantly in a “sleepy” state, despite sufficient quantity sleep. The higher the estrogen and lower the testosterone, the stronger the fatigue;
• a loss muscle mass– since the male sex hormone (testosterone) is responsible for the formation and strength of muscles, men with its reduced level and, conversely, with increased estrogens, they have problems with physical strength;

• hair loss - paradoxically, an increase in estradiol in the stronger sex manifests itself in exactly this way;
• decreased sperm production – if the female hormone is at a higher level than necessary, feminizing symptoms occur, in particular, decreased sperm production;
• increase in body fat – it is estrogen, i.e. its excess, that is responsible for weight gain;
• Mood swings – while mood changes in women (such as during menopause) cause decreased estrogen levels, men's mood and general psychological condition its increased values ​​have a significant effect.

How to reduce estrogen levels in men?

Feminization significantly affects a man's self-confidence, his mental condition. You should also take into account the health problems that arise with an increase in female hormones. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce its indicators. Antiestrogens can help with this - substances that reduce estradiol levels and, accordingly, help increase testosterone.

Actually, male hormones, in particular testosterone, are antiestrogens. The higher the testosterone values, the lower the estradiol.

What is the value of seafood

Eating seafood is the main way to increase your intake of vitamin D, which is directly related to male and female hormone levels. Scientists in a study conducted at Harvard School in Boston found that men with increased vitamin D intake also had significantly higher testosterone levels and lower estrogen levels.

The study noted that vitamin D levels in the body, in most cases, are associated with more strong body, incl. muscle mass.

Unfortunately, large percentage men are deficient in this vitamin, especially in winter time, which often causes a decrease in the male hormone and an increase in the female hormone.

"Marine" antiestrogens:

• fish fat;
• white and red fish;
• caviar.

Pumpkin seeds to reduce estrogen levels

We are talking about a rich zinc supplier playing significant role in various enzymatic reactions occurring in the body, including those responsible for the secretion of major sex hormones.

Experts have found that men with insufficient zinc intake have lower concentrations of testosterone and higher concentrations of estrogen. However, for women everything is different - zinc is recommended for them to increase female hormone levels. Pumpkin seeds can be added to oatmeal, salads, yogurt, and even protein shakes.

Other sources of zinc include, for example, lentils and wheat germ.

Healthy Saturated Fats in Coconut

Not only will this nut help you enjoy your food more and feel like you're on a tropical vacation, but it will also help keep you... hormonal background at the optimal level. This happens because we're talking about about the source of saturated fats, which are extremely important for increasing testosterone and suppressing estrogen.

In healthy representatives of the stronger sex, who have switched from their usual high consumption fat (13%) on a low-fat diet (5%), a significant suppression of testosterone values ​​was recorded and, conversely, an increase in estrogen levels. Saturated fats, in addition to coconut, are also found in fatty dairy products and meat.

Oat and wheat flakes

Few people know that wheat flakes can help a man reduce estrogen and increase testosterone. This is due to high content magnesium Recently, Turkish scientists have proven that men who consume magnesium have as soon as possible There was a decrease in female hormone levels.

Magnesium is also effective in increasing testosterone secretion, especially when combined with strength exercises. This mineral takes part in hundreds biochemical reactions, in which it plays one of the most important roles, and the production of male sex hormone is one of them.

Magnesium is also found in whole grains and beans.

Ricotta cheese to reduce estrogen levels

It is one of the best sources of whey protein. Experts have proven that men who consume this protein have lower levels of cortisol - the stress hormone - and estrogen. The branched chain amino acids found in this protein help blunt the cortisol response during intensive training. This is important because cortisol can inhibit testosterone production and stimulate estrogen production.

Whey sources: Protein powder, milk and dairy products.

Other foods that stimulate testosterone production

A wide range of products include antiestrogens, including:

• Vegetables. Among the foods that help reduce the amount of estrogen are cabbage: cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower. These vegetables help boost testosterone. It is good to include garlic in your diet as a source of allicin, which also helps normalize hormonal levels.
• Parsley. It contains vitamin K, which is important element, playing a role in hormonal balance. The body cannot create it on its own, so it is necessary to ensure its consumption through food. It is found in green vegetables such as spinach or broccoli. However, parsley is famous for its maximum content.

Lifestyles that help reduce estrogen in men

There are a number of other tips on what methods can be used to reduce the level of female hormones in a man’s body:

• Prosperity sunlight. Sun rays necessary for the production of vitamin D, which not only increases testosterone and decreases estradiol in men, but also has important for healthy sperm development and maintenance of sperm numbers.
• Strength exercises. Sports training, in which muscle strength is used - these are antiestrogens, in themselves. Such activities promote the production of testosterone. It is advisable to exercise 4-5 times a week.
• Sex. With frequent sex, testosterone increases. When testosterone increases, it increases sexual desire. In other words, not having enough sex can lead to decreased testosterone and increased estrogen. And vice versa.
• Get enough sleep. It has been proven that with a lack of rest, the levels of growth hormone and testosterone in the body decrease. This, in turn, can cause an increase in estrogen. Therefore, it is important to set aside 7-8 hours a day for sleep.

• Minimum stress. Stress increases cortisol levels in the body, which not only can block the effects of the male hormone, but also promote fat storage and the conversion of testosterone to estrogen.
• Limit alcohol. Alcohol converts testosterone into estrogen. Thus, testosterone and alcohol are incompatible.
• Maintenance correct weight. This rule is very important. Accumulation of fat increases the activity of an enzyme called aromatase. It converts testosterone into estrogen.

Herbs that help reduce estrogen in men

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum). This plant improves the release of lutropin and helps increase testosterone and reduce estrogen.

Tribulus terrestris (Tribulus terrestris). This plant promotes the leaching of lutropin into the blood. As a result, there is an increase in testosterone production and inhibition of estradiol in men.

Ginseng (Panax ginseng). The root influences the central nervous system. In men, it maintains erection and helps build muscle mass.

Tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia). A plant that normalizes male hormonal levels. Contained in some dietary supplements.

Medicines that lower estrogen levels

If balanced diet and lifestyle cannot reduce estrogen levels, then doctors recommend drug therapy. The most common drugs:

• Antiestrogenic drugs (Tamoxifen, Clomiphene);
• Antioxidants – affecting the aromatase system ( ascorbic acid, zinc preparations);
• Aromatase inhibitors (Letrozole, Anastrozole).

Why do men get fat?
Author: Konstantin Guryanov
Published in the magazine “Hercules No. 2 2013”
Remember, like Chekhov: “Everything in a person should be beautiful.” And one of the great ones said that outer beauty- display of internal, or something like that. The creations of ancient Greek sculptors confirm the correctness of these words, but as soon as you look at the beach or in the bathhouse, you begin to understand that many of us, to put it mildly, are not close to the ancient Greeks. Protruding bellies, sagging sides - all this “decorates” the figures of men and women in abundance. About the ladies some other time, but today we’ll talk about men over 40.
It cannot be said that yesterday we fell asleep slim and beautiful, and today we woke up fat. The processes of fat accumulation proceed slowly, but around the age of 40 they accelerate. Although my appetite and eating habits seem to have remained the same. What is the reason? The answer is simple - hormonal imbalances! Many men at this age begin to think worse, they are more often “overcome” by depression, their muscles become flabby, and sexual desire- weak. Not so long ago, it was generally accepted that all these were signs of impending old age. Although how old is 40 years old?! These men end up in the hands of doctors, they are prescribed a bunch of medications and antidepressants, although in fact the problem is that the hormonal balance is simply disturbed. And the situation can be radically changed by raising the level of testosterone in the body and lowering the level of estrogen. It is known that testosterone is main hormone in the body of a man, which is responsible for male sexual characteristics. Thanks to testosterone, men develop sexual organs and secondary sexual characteristics. Male muscles and a deep voice are the merits of testosterone. Thanks to him, men experience sexual desire and are capable of such a thing as spermatogenesis. 95% of testosterone is produced in the testicles and 5% in the adrenal glands. IN female body testosterone is also produced (in the adrenal glands), but only 10 times less. How is testosterone produced? Testosterone production begins in the brain. When the hypothalamus detects a lack of testosterone in the blood, it produces gonadotropin-releasing hormone, which in turn instructs the pituitary gland to produce luteinizing hormone (LH). LH then causes the Leydig cells in the testicles in the ovaries to produce testosterone. Estrogen is the main hormone in a woman's body. It is responsible for the formation of the genital organs and secondary sexual characteristics in women. The male body also produces estrogen. One of key points- the ability of testosgerone to be converted into estrogen. Estrogen is an essential hormone for men, but its excess causes a large number of health problems. Most dangerous by-effect increased estrogen And low testosterone- This big risk heart attack or stroke. Also, high estrogen levels can cause benign prostate enlargement. The most unpleasant thing for our forms is that estrogen lowers the level of testosterone in the body, which provokes obesity. When there is little testosterone in a man's body, estrogen attaches to testosterone receptors throughout the body, thereby causing a variety of problems. When the concentration of estrogen in the body is high, it can have a negative impact on testosterone production. This occurs due to estrogen binding to receptors in the hypothalamus. A suppressed hypothalamus tells the pituitary gland to stop producing LH, which in turn is needed by the ovaries to produce testosterone. Therefore, high estrogen levels can completely suppress normal endogenous (i.e., one's own) testosterone production. How do situations arise when there is little testosterone in the body, but there is a lot of estrogen? Factors contributing to this are listed below.

1. Excess of aromatase enzyme. With age, the male body produces large quantity an enzyme called aromatase. This enzyme converts testosterone to estrogen. Inhibition of the aromatase enzyme produces a significant reduction in estrogen levels while at the same time increasing the amount of free testosterone. Therefore, drugs called aromatase inhibitors may be important for aging men who have excess estrogen.
2. Obesity. Fat cells, especially in the abdominal area, produce the aromatase enzyme. Low testosterone levels cause obesity, which in turn causes increased production aromatase enzyme, and this leads to a further decrease in testosterone levels and an increase in estrogen levels through aromatization.
3. Lack of zinc. Zinc is a natural aromatase inhibitor, meaning it interferes with its production.
4. Changes in lifestyle (for example, a sharp reduction in alcohol intake) lead to good improvement estrogen-testosterone balance, but nevertheless, many men need to take aromatase inhibitors to lower estrogen and restore liver function to eliminate excess SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin). Remember: aromatase converts testosterone to estrogen and indirectly increases the level of SHBG, which already binds testosterone, converting it into an inactive form.

How to deal with the problem that has arisen? Definitely what you need to do first is general analysis blood, and at the same time a hormone test, revealing the levels of total and free testosterone, estradiol (estrogen), progesterone, LH and FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) in the body. Next, the test results need to be deciphered. One of the difficulties in defining a standard for interpreting test results is that laboratories use different testing methodologies and different reference values ​​for testosterone and other hormones. Therefore, when deciphering testosterone and estrogen levels, you should be guided by the following rules. Free testosterone should be closer to upper limit reference range. We define the upper normal range as the upper third of the total reference range. And in any case, the free testosterone indicator should not fall and leave the upper normal range. Estrogen (estradiol) levels should be in the mid to lower normal range. If the indicator is in upper third general reference range or generally exceeds the upper limit, measures must be taken to eliminate excess estradiol. That's why standard reference values can confuse the patient and the doctor, as if everything is “normal”. Below are the average test indicators for men 20-49 years old and the indicators desirable for most men over 40 years old:

If free testosterone levels are below normal (that is, lower than the upper third of the reference range), there are five possible causes:
1. Too much testosterone is converted to estradiol due to excess aromatase enzyme and/or the liver is unable to utilize excess estrogen. Excess aromatase enzyme and/or liver dysfunction are the most probable reasons, if your estradiol level is 30 or higher.
2. Too much free testosterone binds to SHBG. This reason is relevant if the total amount of testosterone falls in the high normal range (upper third), but nevertheless the free testosterone level is below the high normal range, that is, falls in the lower and middle thirds of the total range.
3. The pituitary gland produces an insufficient amount luteinizing hormone for testosterone production. Total testosterone in this case will fall in the lower half of the reference range.
4. The testicles are physically unable to produce adequate amounts of testosterone, despite sufficient amounts of luteinizing hormone. In this case, the LH level will be higher than normal, while total testosterone will be very low.
5. Insufficient production of DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) in the body, DHEA is a precursor for androgens and estrogens.

What to do if the performance is below optimal? If the estradiol level is high (above 30), the indicator total testosterone falls into medium or high normal level and your free testosterone levels are below the high normal level, you should take the following steps:
1. Make sure you take 80-90 mg of zinc per day.
2. Consume 110 mg of soy isoflavones (phytoestrogens) daily. Phytoestrogens compete with estrogens for cell receptors and stimulate the liver to utilize excess estrogen. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower also stimulate the liver to get rid of excess estrogen.
3. Reduce or stop drinking alcohol altogether. This will help the liver fight excess estrogen.
4. Carefully review your entire list of medications to find those that interfere with healthy liver function. The most common drugs that affect the liver are NSAIDs (ibuprofen, aspirin), cholesterol-lowering drugs, and some anti-inflammatory drugs. blood pressure and heart and some antidepressants. It's interesting to note that drugs prescribed to treat depression actually make the problem worse by lowering testosterone levels.
5. Lose weight. As already mentioned, fat cells, especially in the abdominal area, produce the enzyme aromanase.
6. If the above does not help, use Arimidex 0.5 mg twice a week. This dosage will result in a significant reduction in estrogen levels and an increase in free testosterone levels to normal levels.

If free testosterone levels fall in the lower two-thirds of the reference range, total testosterone is in the high normal range and estradiol levels do not exceed 30:
1. Consider the previous points for aromatase suppression, as these factors are also responsible for elevated SHBG levels.
2. Take 320 mg of saw palmetto (dwarf palm) extract and 240 mg of nettle (Urtica dioica) extract. Nettle reduces SHBG levels while saw palmetto blocks receptors in the prostate, preventing the stimulating effects of testosterone and dehydronestosterone. Saw palmetto also prevents the oxidation of testosterone to androstenedione, which may be responsible for the development of certain prostate pathologies.

If total testosterone levels fall in the lower two-thirds of the range and free testosterone levels are low:
1. Check your LH levels. If your LH levels are below normal, your doctor may prescribe individual doses of hCG (gonadotropin). HCG mimics LH and can/should restore normal testicular testosterone production.
2. After a month of using hCG, a blood test should show a significant increase in testosterone. You may also notice a visual enlargement of the ovaries. Once your testosterone levels are restored, monitor your estradiol and free testosterone levels every 30 to 45 days for the first 5 months to ensure that exogenous testosterone is increasing your free testosterone levels without increasing estradiol.

If your total testosterone levels are still low despite hCG therapy, it means your testicles have lost the ability to produce testosterone. In this case, begin therapy with a testosterone patch or cream. Before starting therapy, take a PSA (prostate specific antigen) test and undergo a manual prostate examination. Once testosterone levels are restored to normal, monitor estradiol, PSA, and free testosterone levels every 30 to 45 days for the first six months to ensure that exogenous testosterone is being produced in the right way. Your goal is to raise free testosterone levels to the upper third of the reference range without increasing and controlling estradiol levels. A significant decrease in estrogen levels in the male body can help you get rid of excess fat deposits and improve your appearance. But don't go to extremes. Estrogen is essential for bone mass, and abnormally low estrogen levels are strong factor risk for osteoporosis, which is the leaching of calcium from bones, causing them to become brittle. Take care of yourself!

Progesterone: what is this hormone?

Progesterone is a hormone that is produced in the body in both men and women. It is often called the “female hormone” because it plays an important role in ovulation, pregnancy and gestation. But the level of this hormone is quite high in the blood of men, since its functions are important for men's health. Men produce approximately 5-15 mg of progesterone in the testes every day. It can be converted into estrogens, that is, it is a precursor of these and other (and aldosterone) sex hormones in men. Progesterone levels typically fall with age, which also affects testosterone production. As a man ages, the amount of testosterone and progesterone in a man decreases, and the level of estrogen increases. When high levels of estrogen are not suppressed by testosterone and progesterone, it results in a condition called estrogen dominance in men.

The level of estrogens, estrogen-like substances such as phytoestrogens and xenoestrogens, increases in a man's body throughout his life. Progesterone counteracts this process and balances excess estrogens and xenoestrogens.

BLOOD TEST FOR PROGESTERONE: NORMAL IN MEN

Progesterone: normal for men by age (table)

Units of measurement: nmol/l, ng/ml, pmol/l

Majority modern research show that progesterone in men has almost the same effect on the body as testosterone. Like it, progesterone increases libido, improves mood, helps maintain weight and increases muscle mass, adds energy, makes bones stronger, and erections more durable. Progesterone also increases testosterone levels in a man's body and enhances its effects. At the same time, it reduces estrogens ( female hormones) and resists their effects.

Benefits of Progesterone for Men:

1. Helps burn fat, making it easier to lose weight.
2. Increases muscle mass (which is why it is sometimes used in bodybuilding).
3. Protects against cancer prostate gland and mammary gland.
4. Increases sexual desire.
5. Corrects erectile dysfunction much like Viagra does, by increasing the production of nitric oxide.
6. Helps normalize blood sugar levels.
7. Normalizes hormone function thyroid gland.
8. Stimulates bone formation.
9. Improves brain function and has antidepressant properties.
10. Makes it easier skin problems, including acne, seborrhea, rosacea, psoriasis.
11. Reduces muscle pain and has anti-inflammatory properties.
12. Improves sleep.

INCREASED PROGESTERONE IN MEN

High progesterone in men can be associated with general hormonal imbalance (for example, due to age), tumors of the testicles or adrenal glands, taking medications such as (clomiphene), ketoconazole, corticotropin, mifepristone, valproic acid, or using drugs with progesterone (creams or tablets).

The main problems that elevated levels of the hormone progesterone can cause in men (including when using progesterone cream):

1. DHT

Progesterone is a strong 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, meaning it tends to reduce. If DHT decreases too much, it can negatively affect libido and brain function, reducing muscle growth. However, if a middle-aged or older man has excessively high levels of DHT and associated problems (such as baldness), then progesterone can help combat this imbalance.

1. Accumulation in adipose tissue

The use of progesterone cream may promote the accumulation of the hormone in adipose tissue in men. Therefore, when using it, regular monitoring of saliva for progesterone levels is recommended.

1. Increased SHBG

Quite a lot of men have high blood pressure, which reduces free testosterone. Increasing progesterone levels can further increase SHBG and, therefore, worsen the condition.

1. Prostate

Some doctors believe that progesterone is beneficial for the prostate gland because it controls estradiol and DHT. However, it is not yet known for certain whether this is so. There is evidence that progesterone increases PSA (prostate-specific antigen) in some men.

1. Blood pressure

Progesterone tends to decrease blood pressure. Simultaneous use progesterone and hypertension medications can lead to low blood pressure.

Before reducing progesterone, it is necessary to analyze the content of other hormones in a man’s blood. A decrease in progesterone usually occurs when other hormone levels return to normal. A partial decrease in progesterone occurs with a decrease in SHBG and an increase in DHT.

Low progesterone in men: symptoms

1. Hair loss.
2. Weight gain.
3. Fatigue.
4. Depression.
5. Gynecomastia (increase mammary glands in men).
6. Erectile dysfunction and impotence, low libido.
7. Decreased bone density.
8. Loss of muscle mass.

Low progesterone often occurs in older men or with hormonal imbalances, and can also be caused by recent use of antibiotics (ampicillin).

HOW YOU CAN INCREASE LOW PROGESTERONE IN MEN

• Omega-3

Fatty acids help increase progesterone naturally. A good source is quality fish oil. Also contained in linseed oil and semen, but this product may also lower testosterone in men.

good natural sources of this mineral are sesame seeds, raw pumpkin seeds, green pea And raw mushrooms Champignon. Zinc deficiency occurs in those men who train a lot and have increased physical activity. also inhibits the enzyme aromatase, which prevents the conversion of testosterone to estrogen.

• Walnuts

They help increase progesterone and decrease estrogen levels. It is enough to eat 30-50 grams per day.

• Vitamin B6

Pyridoxine increases progesterone and decreases estrogen. Good sources are liver, beans, beans, chickpeas, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts and chestnuts.

PROGESTERONE CREAM: USE IN MEN

Natural progesterone cream is often used to treat hormone imbalances and protect men from cancer and other prostate diseases. Doctors also sometimes prescribe progesterone to men to treat erectile dysfunction.

Any use of progesterone cream should be supervised by a specialist. Long-term use may lead to increased progesterone levels and associated side effects.

The amount of progesterone prescribed depends on symptoms, but not on weight, height or age. For men, I usually prescribe no more than 6-10 mg of progesterone per day. This dosage is sufficient to treat symptoms of low progesterone, low testosterone, or signs of estrogen dominance.

Maintenance dose. Once symptoms have passed, the amount of progesterone cream a man uses should be tapered off slowly over at least a few weeks.

The fact that a meeting between a man and a woman is always a collision of two worlds is explained by two small hormones: representatives of the strong half of humanity are controlled by testosterone, but the beautiful half is controlled by estrogen. The first is a symbol of courage, the second, on the contrary, femininity.

If the hormone testosterone pushes men to various victories, then the hormone estrogen causes emotionality in women, sometimes with destructive force. The combination of these two hormones helps a man and a woman find each other. But their lack (or excess) can also play a role cruel joke. Let's try to figure out which one it is.

The hormone testosterone is the hormone of kings and passionate lovers

Excess estrogen leads to obesity (fat is formed on the abdomen and thighs), decreased libido, increased premenstrual syndrome and severe headaches. Doctors also associate the occurrence of some benign tumors with excess estrogen.

If estrogen is normal, then the woman looks much younger than her age. Besides beautiful figure and velvet skin, she is distinguished by an excellent memory (this is where a woman’s ability to remember detailed details is hidden), a penchant for learning languages, and also a burning desire to see the man of her dreams next to her.

The hormone estrogen provides our body

• protection of blood vessels from cholesterol plaques;
• regulation of water-salt metabolism;
• bone strength.

Just as in men with age, the level of testosterone in the blood begins to decrease, so in women there is a depletion of estrogen, which portends the period of childbearing and the onset of menopause. This condition is accompanied by dry skin, sudden hair loss, and a high degree of injury. Estrogen replenishment is the main principle hormone therapy. However, if the loss is not so great, then it can be replenished without resorting to drug treatment.

How to increase estrogen without resorting to medications

Adjust your diet. The menu should include foods rich in natural estrogens. These are meat, vegetables and fruits, legumes and nuts, pomegranates. But the appearance of those that reduce the level of this hormone is better to limit.
Foods that lower estrogen levels:

• refined rice, wheat flour;
• cabbage (including broccoli);
• onions, asparagus, corn;
• figs, pineapple, citrus fruits;
• pears, grapes;
• alcohol.

Refusal to lose weight. The fat layer promotes the production of estrogen. Excessive thinness can cause destabilization.

Sex. Is the best prevention many diseases.

Aromatherapy. The production of estrogen is promoted by such essential oils like basil, anise, fennel. And lavender and rose water support hormonal balance.

Protection from stress. During a strong emotional shock, cortisol and adrenaline are produced, which have a suppressive effect on estrogen.

About high testosterone levels in women, by Westin Childs, a practicing physician and functional medicine specialist. Childs maintains a blog for patients, writes as clearly as possible, shows printouts of the tests he relies on, and makes specific recommendations. For women suffering from hirsutism, this article is useful both in terms of content and as an illustration of the approach.

Weight gain, acne, hair loss (and hirsutism - approx. website) - do you have any of these? This is far from full list symptoms of high testosterone levels in the blood in women. Why are testosterone levels rising and what needs to be done to reduce them?

Any doctor can say that the concentration of testosterone is higher than normal, but few are ready to voice recommendations for solving the problem. To move towards normal life, you need to understand what exactly is happening to your body.

The problem here is that in 95% of cases, high testosterone is not a syndrome, but a symptom of another hormonal imbalance. Therefore, the main task is to find this imbalance and solve the problem associated with it - then the concentration of testosterone in the blood will decrease.

Symptoms of High Testosterone Levels

Before we move on to discussing the causes of high testosterone levels in the blood and how to correct it, we need to list the symptoms of this condition.

Symptoms are of key importance because each person’s body has its own normal limits. I've seen plenty of women with all the symptoms higher level testosterone, while their tests were only at the upper limit of normal. (Read how the concept of “norm” differs greatly for individuals, populations limited geographically, and humanity in general - approx. website)

So, the main symptoms of high testosterone:

• Weight gain (especially rapid) or inability to lose it.
• Hair loss, especially male type and with normal thyroid hormone levels.
• Acne, changes in oily skin and hair; Cystic acne is common, especially on the chin.
• Mood changes: depression, irritability, anxiety, frequent change moods.
• Other hormone imbalances: estrogen to progesterone ratio imbalance, thyroid hormone deficiency (Childs doesn't go into detail about this, so read my article on how - approx. website), excess adrenal androgens (eg, DHAE-S).

As you can see, these are nonspecific, very vague symptoms, which are also characteristic of other hormonal abnormalities. For example, a lack of thyroid hormones can lead to weight gain and hair loss, but in this case the hair will fall out evenly, without the bald patches seen in men. Excess thyroid hormones can lead to acne, but it is rarely cystic and does not tend to occur on the chin. Thus, these symptoms will help determine where exactly the problem occurred. hormonal disbalance. The hypotheses then need to be tested in the laboratory.

Laboratory testing of testosterone levels in the blood

So let's talk about what abnormal testosterone levels look like. Let's look at a few examples. In the first example, the woman has high levels of free testosterone and the upper limit of normal for total testosterone.

You see that only free testosterone is labeled as high, but in reality the patient has excess testosterone altogether. How do I know? The thing is, I see facial hair, acne and overweight. See: free testosterone is physiological active form testosterone, high concentrations of which are responsible for the symptoms listed above. (Total testosterone has virtually no diagnostic value - approx. website.)

In this patient's case, the cause was insulin resistance. Working in this direction, she and I managed to reduce the level of free testosterone in the blood, and the symptoms disappeared.

Second example.

Again we see a high level of free testosterone and a completely normal level of total testosterone. Family doctor I didn't notice any problems because overgrowth her hair was weak, her weight was at the upper limit of normal, but the girl suffered from sudden mood swings and irritability.

This is why it is so important to study symptoms together with laboratory tests to see and diagnose the problem.

I also want to show you an example of low testosterone levels in the blood.

The patient’s main problem was insulin resistance, which is why I gave the value of glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (HbA1c is a specific marker that helps estimate the average blood glucose level over the past 2-3 months - approx. website). Remember: high insulin levels can cause both high and low level testosterone, it depends on the individual patient. And both of these conditions are equally bad.

Now you know how to identify elevated testosterone levels and what symptoms to monitor.

6 Reasons for High Testosterone Levels in Women

When hormone levels rise high enough, it becomes more difficult to figure out what exactly triggered the process. This situation is completely different from low levels, where it is enough to “add what is missing” to reduce symptoms. Therefore, most doctors general practice confused when faced with rising hormone levels.

1. Insulin resistance

The connection between insulin resistance (or simply - high level blood sugar) and testosterone are HUGE (more on this connection - approx. website). Insulin can lower and raise testosterone levels. In men, the hormone usually lowers testosterone levels, but in women both occur. To determine the connection in your body, you need to donate blood for glycosylated hemoglobin A1c, fasting insulin along with total and free testosterone. If high levels of insulin are found along with high levels of free testosterone, insulin is the cause of hormonal imbalance.

Women with high testosterone levels combined with insulin resistance acquire (polycystic ovary syndrome). These patients have high levels of insulin, testosterone and estrogen and low levels of progesterone. It leads to moderate growth facial hair, but in some cases hormonal imbalance It also leads to darkening of the skin, deposition of belly fat and extreme mood swings. Typically, the worse your fasting insulin levels, the more severe your symptoms.

2. Estrogen dominance over progesterone

All hormones in our body interact with each other. Think of them as a web: you can't touch one thread without disturbing the others, and to change the entire web you only need to break one thread. This principle also applies to hormonal system. Hormones play together, so if one gets out of the program, it will lead to a failure in the others.

The female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone are particularly closely related. The exact mechanism of the connection between them is unknown, but they definitely affect testosterone levels. Take, for example, women with premenstrual syndrome or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (severe form premenstrual syndrome - approx. website). These conditions are associated with estrogen dominance, and these same women have been found to have elevated levels of testosterone and DHEA. Compare them to menopausal women, when low estrogen levels couple with complete absence progesterone, and later testosterone levels in the blood decrease (but the mustache still begins to grow, again due to the mutual concentration of sex hormones - approx. website). One thing is clear: changes in the concentration of estrogen and progesterone affect the concentration of testosterone.

3. Low physical activity

Training is an additional help for your body to utilize excess testosterone. Although there is no direct link between physical activity and testosterone levels, exercise helps with excess insulin levels, which in turn lowers high testosterone levels. The mechanism is simple: low insulin- This normal testosterone, high insulin- this is high testosterone. Physical activity lowers insulin levels, making your body's cells more sensitive to it.

In addition, physical activity helps to overcome the eternal companion of abnormal testosterone levels - excess weight.

4. Adrenal diseases (high DHEA levels)

Adrenal gland diseases are less common. Anything that provokes excess work adrenal glands, can lead to an increase in testosterone levels. To understand this, look at this diagram of how your body secretes testosterone:

It can be seen that the precursors of testosterone are DHAE, pregnenolone, progesterone and androstenedione. If there are more of them, then testosterone levels may also increase.

There are also a number of conditions that lead to increased production of DHEA and testosterone: severe stress and associated adrenal fatigue, overuse supplements with DHAE/pregnenolone/progesterone and, again, insulin resistance. Therefore, checking the levels of DHAE in the blood and cortisol in 24-hour urine is good test when looking for causes of elevated testosterone levels. Remember that hormones do not work independently of each other.

5. High levels of the hormone leptin (leptin resistance)

Leptin creates conditions that make it difficult to lose weight. If you don't know what leptin resistance is, please read up on English language about how exactly it disables the utilization of excess weight.

In short, leptin resistance is a condition where you have too much leptin in your body and you gain weight, but your brain doesn't see it. Hunger reigns in the head, and the body swells with fat. Leptin not only regulates satiety, but is also part of the reward system.

Leptin, produced by fat cells, is involved in the regulation of appetite, metabolism, and tells the brain when fat needs to be stored and when it’s time to burn it. Guess what happens when leptin sensitivity decreases. Your brain stops receiving leptin's messages about satiety and begins to give the exact opposite commands: your metabolism slows down, you think you're hungry, and your body stops consuming stored calories.

And not only that: leptin controls the secretion of testosterone. The more leptin, the more it stimulates endocrine glands secrete testosterone. (This is where it is somewhat opaque; I could not find a single article confirming that leptin stimulates the secretion of steroids, rather the opposite; however, there is definitely a connection between leptin and testosterone, see my article - approx. website.)

High levels of leptin are also found in women suffering from insulin resistance (which in itself increases testosterone).

6. Obesity

Excess weight can increase testosterone levels on its own. Fat cells increase testosterone secretion by increasing the activity of the enzyme 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (type 5). Forget this long name: the main thing here is that fat increases testosterone on its own, and also by reducing the sensitivity of other tissues to insulin.

The moral of the story is that you need to lose weight in addition to all other treatments.

How to lower testosterone levels in women?

First you need to decide why your testosterone level in the blood is elevated. The goal is to cure the root cause. Below I will talk about ways to treat the six causes that I talked about earlier.

High insulin levels:

1. Add high-intensity exercise: increasing muscle mass increases tissue sensitivity to insulin.
2. Reduce your carbohydrate intake (especially refined carbohydrates - sugar, bread, pasta, etc.), for example, as in the Nutritional Ketosis diet.
3. Consider taking T3 thyroid hormone to speed up metabolism and increase cell sensitivity to insulin (note that we are talking about T3, not T4, but only T4 is sold in Russia - approx. website).
4. Consider taking special medications that increase insulin sensitivity: SGLT-2 inhibitors, Metformin, GLP-1 agonists, alpha-amylase inhibitors.
5. Consider taking dietary supplements: Berberine (1000-2000 mg/day), alpha lipoic acid(600-1200 mg/day), magnesium, chromium, PolyGlycopleX - all of these supplements can help lower blood sugar and insulin levels.

Imbalance of estrogen and progesterone:

1. Make sure your thyroid functions normally: hypothyroidism causes estrogen to dominate over progesterone.
2. Make sure that the metabolism of estrogen in your body is optimal, liver function and proper nutrition are important for this.
3. During menopause, consider taking bioidentical hormones (a mixture of progesterone and estradiol/estriol).
4. Consider supplements to support estrogen metabolism: vitamin B12 (sublingual 5000 mcg/day), 5-MTHF, DIM or Indole-3-carbinol, milk thistle, sulfur in the form of MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), bio-identical progesterone (20-40 mg transdermally on days 14-28 of the cycle).

Adrenal problems:

1. Increase your salt intake (Himalayan pink salt or Celtic sea salt).
2. Learn to work with stress and switch from negativity (yoga, meditation, hiking etc.)
3. Reduce caffeine and alcohol consumption.
4. Reduce consumption of amphetamine-based stimulant medications (adderall, concerta, phentermine, etc.)
5. Sleep at least 8 hours a day; eliminate daytime naps to avoid problems falling asleep at night; Do not overeat at night so that excess energy does not occur at the time before bed.
6. Consider taking the following dietary supplements: adrenal adaptogens, adrenal hormones, vitamins B6 and C. If you have problems falling asleep, use melatonin.

Excess leptin:

1. Consider the possibility of therapeutic intermittent fasting(meaning skipping some scheduled meals every few days and fasting days - approx. website)
2. Reduce carbohydrate intake, including fructose.
3. Compensate for hypothyroidism and treat insulin resistance, against which restoration of sensitivity to leptin is unlikely.
4. Add high-intensity loads.
5. Consider Admission special drugs to increase sensitivity to lepin: Byetta, Victoza, Bydureon or Symlin. In my experience, overcoming leptin resistance without medication is very difficult. At correct use they can significantly adjust weight and hormones in the blood.
6. Consider taking dietary supplements: fish oil, zinc, leucine and supplements recommended for insulin resistance. There are no specialized supplements that help with excess leptin.

Conclusion

Decrease high concentration testosterone in the blood is possible, but to do this you need to find the root cause of the failure. If this cause can be correctly diagnosed and treated, the symptoms will decrease rapidly.

Typically, high testosterone levels are associated with one or more of the following reasons: insulin or leptin resistance, problems in the mutual concentration of estrogen and progesterone, adrenal disease, unhealthy diet and lifestyle.

If you're serious about addressing your high testosterone problem, find a doctor who understands how the hormones relate to each other and is willing to devote the time to get to the bottom of the cause.