Blood levels of testosterone vary dramatically over time and even during the course of a day. Having too much naturally-occurring testosterone is not a common problem among men. While the specifics are uncertain, it's possible that androgens also play an important role in normal brain function (including mood, sex drive and cognitive function). It's important for your sex drive, bone and muscle health, energy, and mood. Women and people assigned female at birth also produce testosterone. Increased cortisol levels can also cause you to overeat, which can contribute to weight gain and lowered testosterone. Despite the lack of targeted therapies for women with low testosterone, they have one option that may increase their levels. There are currently no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved testosterone medical treatments for women. While it’s known that many men with low testosterone levels, often referred to as T levels, can be asymptomatic, the effects of low testosterone in women are not as well studied. Many women with high testosterone levels will have irregular menses or no period at all. "There are no established optimal testosterone levels for women, so most clinicians use a lab reference range to diagnose a woman with high testosterone," Dr. Dorr says. Magnesium supports testosterone through multiple pathways including SHBG reduction, sleep improvement, and cortisol modulation. For most men, achieving optimal levels requires supplementation at 4000 to 5000 IU daily, particularly during winter months or for those with limited sun exposure. Studies show that men with vitamin D levels above 50 ng/mL have significantly higher testosterone than men below 20 ng/mL. Synthetic testosterone is the main drug of masculinizing hormone therapy. Healthcare providers use synthetic testosterone to treat and manage various medical conditions. "Anabolic" refers to muscle building, and "androgenic" refers to increased male sex characteristics.
