Michael A. Werner, M.D.

It’s a fact that low testosterone can affect both men and women. 
You can get your level measured by taking a simple blood test.  But, a specialist is needed to interpret the results since tests may appear superficially normal even though testosterone levels are low.

It’s necessary for a medical professional to diagnose a problem with low testosterone.  Symptoms of low testosterone can be similar to many diseases and conditions, so a medical professional is needed to identify the issue and recommend treatment.  The doctor will look at the test results in conjunction with physical symptoms.  Some of those symptoms are low sex drive and impotence, fatigue or decreased energy, loss of muscle mass and strength, fat accumulation, depressed mood, increased risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Low Male Testosterone

What’s the best way to measure your testosterone level?  Opinions vary.
But it is well accepted that if your testosterone is below 200 ng/dl it’s considered low.  If it’s over 600 ng/dl then low testosterone is probably may be ruled out.

The analog free testosterone method is most widely used by large commercial U.S. labs.  We feel that a more accurate measurement is either free testosterone or bioavailable testosterone done in a specialty laboratory setting. While there is some variation in what tests should be used, it’s widely accepted that blood work should be done prior to 10 a.m. to capture peak values.

Low Female Testosterone

The medical community has only begun treating women with testosterone therapy fairly recently and there is little research available.  That’s why there’s little agreement about what “normal” testosterone levels are.  If a woman goes to a general physician and is told that her testosterone levels are "normal" all that means is that they are in a range of women who are not ill. It does not mean that the levels fall into a range that women need for optimal health and functioning.

But experts in the field are doing research, testing various levels with women, gathering anecdotal evidence (what women are telling them) and sharing the information with each other. Due to this, “normal levels” are being established even though there is still some debate about the limits for different ages.  Each specialist in the field might have a slightly different range and may use different measurements for diagnosis including total testosterone, bio-available testosterone, free androgen index or free testosterone.

If a woman wants her testosterone levels tested and she’d like to better understand her sex drive, she needs to consult a female sexuality specialist.

It is important to have a specialty laboratory test the hormones and to use the same laboratory every time the blood is tested. Studies show that lab results, vary from lab to lab and, in some cases, within a lab from test to test, specifically when dealing with testosterone. You really need to have a laboratory you can trust testing your blood, as the percent and level of increase is as important as the initial levels themselves.

To learn more about low testosterone and treatment options, please call Dr. Werner's office at (646) 380-2700 in NYC, (914) 997-4100 in Westchester, or (203) 831-9900 in Connecticut, or send us an email at info@wernermd.com.