Elevated Testosterone Levels
Hello there! I recently underwent hormone testing and some additional evaluations as I'm a trans woman beginning hormone therapy. I have a follow-up appointment with my healthcare provider in approximately two and a half months, and I’m curious about how concerning my results might be in the interim. Here are the levels I received: | **Hormone** | **Level** | **Reference Range** | |--------------------|--------------------|-----------------------------------| | **Testosterone** | **39.0 nmol/L** | 8.64 – 29.0 nmol/L | | **DHEA-S** | **553 µg/dL** | ~80 – 560 µg/dL (varies by lab) | | **Prolactin** | **15.3 µg/L** | 4.0 – 15.2 µg/L | | **Progesterone** | **0.3 µg/L** | ≤ 0.2 µg/L (baseline for AMAB) | | **Estradiol (E2)** | **<25 ng/L** | ≤43 ng/L (baseline for AMAB) | | **LH** | **4.4 u/L** | 1.7 – 8.6 u/L | | **FSH** | **3.4 u/L** | 1.5 – 12.4 u/L | | **TSH** | **0.77 mU/L** | 0.27 – 4.20 mU/L | | **FT4 (Free T4)** | **18.6 pmol/L** | 11.0 – 24.0 pmol/L | | **FT3 (Free T3)** | **4.3–6.7 pmol/L** | | I'm eager to understand more about what these numbers may indicate for my health, especially concerning my testosterone levels. Thank you!
Answers (1)
6/17/2025, 1:10:54 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's great that you're taking an active interest in your health and hormone levels, especially as you begin your hormone therapy journey. Your testosterone levels are elevated compared to the normal reference range for women, which may be a concern during the course of treatment.
Understanding Your Results:
-
Testosterone (39.0 nmol/L): This is above the typical reference range for cisgender women (8.64 – 29.0 nmol/L). Elevated testosterone could lead to symptoms like increased body hair, changes in body fat distribution, or mood swings, among others. Monitoring is key, as these levels can impact how you feel both physically and emotionally.
-
Other Hormones:
- DHEA-S (553 µg/dL): This is at the higher end of the reference range, which may be considered normal but still worth discussing with your healthcare provider.
- Prolactin (15.3 µg/L): Slightly above normal, which could warrant further investigation, as high prolactin can affect menstrual cycles and mood.
- Estradiol (<25 ng/L): This is on the lower end and could indicate that your hormone therapy might need adjustment.
The other hormone values (LH, FSH, TSH, FT4, FT3) appear to be within normal limits, which is a good sign.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Symptoms: Pay close attention to any physical or emotional symptoms that may arise as you continue hormone therapy. Keeping a journal of your symptoms can help when you discuss your results with your healthcare provider.
-
Self-Care: Focus on a balanced diet and regular physical activity, as these can help manage hormonal fluctuations and improve your overall well-being.
-
Educate Yourself: Consider researching more about the effects of testosterone and estrogen therapy in trans women. Understanding how these hormones influence your body can empower you in discussions with your healthcare provider.
-
Plan to Discuss: When you have your follow-up appointment, bring up your concerns about your testosterone levels and other hormone results. Ask your provider about potential adjustments to your hormone therapy based on these results.
Remember, it's normal to feel anxious when facing hormone changes, and having open conversations with your healthcare provider is crucial in making informed decisions about your health. You're taking important steps toward understanding your health better, and that is commendable!
Related Questions
The Dilemma of Antibiotic Use
Approximately four weeks ago, I discovered a tick on my shoulder, which was quite small, and I promptly removed it. The following day, I awoke feeling under the weather, exhibiting cold-like symptoms that have persisted intermittently for the past month. These include a sore throat, nasal congestion, headaches, aching muscles—especially in my back—along with a fever that spiked at least once last week. On certain days, I feel relatively normal, while other days are quite challenging. Typically, I wouldn't seek medical advice for such symptoms, as I could easily attribute them to severe allergies. However, given that both my father and brother have experienced Lyme disease, I decided to consult a doctor yesterday. The physician indicated that my symptoms could merely be a result of allergies or a minor infection but prescribed a ten-day course of doxycycline at 200 mg per day as a precaution. I'm often apprehensive about taking antibiotics when it's not entirely necessary. I've also encountered information suggesting that Lyme disease symptoms often manifest weeks, months, or even years later, which raises my doubts about whether I actually have it. Nonetheless, I want to be proactive and address the situation appropriately. What are your views on accepting this antibiotic treatment? I am likely to proceed with it just to be cautious, but I am interested in hearing others' opinions. For context, I’m a 23-year-old female, standing at 5 feet 6 inches, weighing 129 pounds, a non-smoker, not on any medications, and I have a clean medical history.
Can Viruses Reach the Brain? A Concern During Blood Draws
Age: 22, Gender: Male Recently, I scheduled a comprehensive health examination that required a fasting blood glucose test. While the technician was drawing my blood, I experienced an unsettling sensation in my chest that prompted me to take a deep breath. Suddenly, I found myself making unusual noises as if someone was rousing me from a deep slumber. Confused, I asked my father if I had fainted, and he confirmed that he had been holding me. This strange episode lasted only a few seconds, but I noticed my lips and the area beneath my eyes turning pale, as my father pointed out. Afterward, I felt dizzy while seated; I drank some ORS mixed in water, which helped me feel better after a few minutes. Subsequently, blood was drawn from my other arm. When I shared these events with a general practitioner, he requested several tests, including those for malaria, dengue, typhoid, a chest X-ray, an ECG, and a CRP test. All test results came back normal, with the exception of my CRP level, which measured 7.95 mg/dl—slightly above the standard range of 0-6 mg/dl. Upon examining the X-ray, the doctor mentioned the possibility of a virus affecting my brain, which he suggested could have caused the seizure-like episode. This left me feeling anxious, especially since he mentioned these episodes could reoccur. When I recounted my history of upper respiratory infections, he did not seem to pay attention. Despite my father's request for medications, the doctor insisted on hospitalization, eventually prescribing LEVEPSY 500 MG and VOCPODX 500 MG. He indicated that I was dealing with a viral issue and prescribed antibiotics as well. Upon researching, I found that Levepsy is typically used for seizures, yet the doctor did not clarify its necessity for my situation and suggested I schedule an MRI scan before taking it. I'm feeling quite perplexed. I even consulted ChatGPT, which recommended seeking a second opinion on my condition. Should I follow that advice? I appreciate any guidance you can provide.
Experiencing Chest Discomfort and Breathing Issues After Running
A 19-year-old female, with a height of 162 cm and weight of 54 kg, has reported low iron levels (17) and is currently taking iron supplements. Both my partner and I identify as women in a same-sex relationship, so pregnancy is not a possibility. To provide some background, my girlfriend suffered from pneumonia as a child, likely due to being unvaccinated. Unfortunately, her mother delayed treatment and didn’t allow her to rest during her illness. Since then, she has been unable to run even a short distance without experiencing tightening in her chest, which she describes as burning. Alongside this, she feels dizzy and her breathing becomes noticeably irregular. Although she claims her airways are not obstructed, she produces wheezing sounds reminiscent of a squeaky toy. Most recently, she attempted to run for less than a minute on a Sunday, which triggered the aforementioned symptoms again. She noted that the burning sensation extended to her chin and lower teeth had a tickling quality, and her heart rate remained elevated and did not normalize. Concerned about her wellbeing, I advised her to contact emergency services for evaluation. Upon their arrival, the paramedics noted her irregular breathing pattern and observed that her heart rate remained somewhat elevated even after nearly an hour post-exertion, albeit only slightly above normal. This warranted further assessment, and she was transported to the hospital for evaluation. However, after a brief ECG, the hospital staff dismissed her, attributing her symptoms to exercise-induced asthma and suggesting she was not a priority. I am not a medical professional, but I am skeptical about the asthma diagnosis. If it is asthma, I suspect it might relate to a more significant underlying problem. Later that night, as we were preparing for bed, she suddenly felt nauseous and was on the verge of vomiting. Throughout the day, she had experienced nausea following her asthma episode, and she appeared quite pale during these episodes. I suggested she try to sleep it off, and she agreed to rest. After some time, she woke up feeling extremely unwell and ended up vomiting quite a bit. Now, I'm uncertain whether her nausea is connected to her previous symptoms, which is why I’m seeking advice here. I considered taking her to the emergency room, but after she vomited, her nausea seemed to lessen, and she fell back asleep. Additionally, it's worth noting that she just began a new birth control regimen today to manage her severe endometriosis, but I doubt this is related, given the timeline of her symptoms. If anyone has insights or further questions, I’m open to discussing them.
Feeling Overwhelmed by OCD: Seeking Help, But Unsure What It Will Achieve
I’m a woman in my late 20s residing in Canada. I regularly consume cannabis and take a daily dose of sertraline (100mg) along with over-the-counter allergy medications such as Blexten. Occasionally, I use generic XR Adderall. My medical background includes a diagnosis of ADHD and several allergies, plus physical health issues like endometriosis and having one kidney, but those specifics are not central to this discussion. I genuinely feel that I’m exerting every effort possible in managing my situation, which makes me hesitant to approach a doctor for assistance, fearing I might merely be wasting their time. I currently rely on walk-in clinics since I don’t have a family physician, and I'm on the waiting list for outpatient treatment related to an eating disorder. Having been diagnosed with OCD at the age of 16, it's been over a decade since I’ve navigated this condition. Throughout these years, I've engaged in therapy, tried antidepressants, and even participated in a clinical trial that initially yielded great results. Unfortunately, once the trial was extended, I could no longer attend due to transportation issues, and I’ve been off that medication for over two years now. A personal tragedy in 2024 led me to stop taking sertraline for most of the year, as I lost sight of the importance of my health. However, since the start of 2025, I’ve been diligent about my medication intake, having only occasionally skipped doses, ensuring I adhere to the prescribed routine 98% of the time. Reflecting on my journey with OCD fills me with a mixture of absurdity and shame—not about having the disorder itself, which I am open to discussing and educating others about, but rather regarding the extent to which it has influenced my life. My OCD manifestations have spanned a wide range, from an aversion to bleach due to fear, incessantly checking locks and lights, health-related obsessions, to perfectionism and scrupulosity. While many of these symptoms have become manageable, a resurgence of obsessive thoughts, particularly around moral scrupulosity, has surfaced recently, leading me to dark places where I feel an overwhelming sense of worthlessness. For instance, I might accidentally nudge a family member's belongings while vacuuming, which triggers an immediate spiral of self-loathing where I convince myself I am disrespectful and unworthy. It’s shocking how such minor incidents can plunge me into feelings of despair, even if I rectify the situation immediately and know rationally that my family wouldn’t mind. The fear that my perceived imperfections reflect on my value as a person looms large. At times, the intensity of these feelings immobilizes me, leaving me to sit in anguish, where I might reach out to friends in tears. However, I often find myself feeling guilty for burdening them with my struggles, feeling like I’m an inconvenience with all the challenges they face in their own lives. Expressing my fears to a busy doctor seems daunting, especially when they may be unaware of the nuance behind these seemingly trivial experiences that, in my mind, amount to emotional catastrophes. I have a supportive therapist, but I cannot afford to attend sessions at this time, especially as I search for employment following my recent college graduation. The job market is particularly challenging in my area right now. I have no interest in trying benzodiazepines; I'm already using marijuana to cope, and I’d prefer to avoid adding another dependency. One of my family members has struggled with benzodiazepine dependency, and I have witnessed the impact of addiction through my parent’s issues with crack cocaine, making me wary of creating further dependency. I often worry that medical professionals might expect me to seek quick-fix medications like benzos, which I consciously avoid. I have always been cautious with medications, not having taken anything stronger than Tylenol until I turned 20, and even hesitated with certain childhood vaccinations. I prefer exploring sustainable coping mechanisms; quick fixes like reassurance from others only create additional hurdles in managing my OCD. Given all this, I question whether visiting a doctor is beneficial, especially with a clinic physician I've seen only a couple of times regarding my antidepressant. I tend to be quite emotional, and the prospect of breaking down in front of a doctor is daunting. I feel I am doing all I can with the resources available to me, and if that’s insufficient, I am at a loss for what more could be done. There’s an ongoing confusion about the workings of my mind, especially when my life appears stable—I’m in a loving relationship, actively preparing for an exciting career with an upcoming licensing exam, and although money is tight, I'm managing my basic needs. An important aspect to note is that these intrusive thoughts echo my experiences growing up from ages 5 to 19, though not from the family with whom I currently reside. While I do share a home with a passive-aggressive individual who can trigger my anxiety, I mostly enjoy a peaceful living environment and have distanced myself from toxic dialogue for nearly eight years, bolstered by extensive therapy. To clarify, I cultivate my own cannabis, so my financial investment in it is minimal.
Seeking Guidance on Health Issues
I am a 24-year-old female weighing 125 pounds. Over the last year, I have encountered various troubling symptoms, including unintentional weight loss, persistent fatigue, changes in my bowel movements, and an unexplained case of thyroiditis. Additionally, I have experienced a reduced appetite and a peculiar, strong odor in my urine that resembles chicken broth. Recently, I've noticed that sometimes when I use the restroom, hard, brown, scab-like fragments appear in my stool. Disturbingly, today I observed similar pieces in my urine as well. This ongoing situation is quite concerning, and I have an unsettling feeling that my health is deteriorating. I would greatly appreciate any insights or suggestions on what might be going on and how I should proceed. Thank you for any help you can offer.