High Testosterone: 7 Possible Root Causes You Need to know about

LET'S TALK TESTOSTERONE.⁠

Testosterone is AS important for women as it is for men, despite what you thought previously.

In males, it regulates fertility, muscle mass, and fat distribution and in females, optimal testosterone levels help: ⁠

〰️Increase energy ⁠

〰️Support fertility⁠

〰️Normalize blood sugar levels⁠

〰️Increase libido⁠

〰️To reduce cellulite ⁠

〰️To handle stress better⁠

〰️Build muscle⁠

〰️Support immunity ⁠

〰️Protect your heart, bones, brain, and breasts⁠

Now that you know the importance of testosterone, let's dig a bit deeper to see if yours is out of balance. ⁠

SOME COMMON SIGNS OF ELEVATED TESTOSTERONE IN WOMEN OF ANY AGE INCLUDE:

✔️Hirsutism ⁠

✔️Skin tags⁠

✔️Hair loss⁠

✔️Irregular periods⁠

✔️Acne or oily skin⁠

✔️Irritability⁠

✔️Rough darkened skin patches⁠

✔️Anxiety/depression ⁠

✔️Enlarged clitoris⁠

✔️Decreased breast size⁠

✔️Elevated prolactin

Any or all of these stand out to you?

Lowering your elevated testosterone isn’t so straightforward because you NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHY. Think root cause always.

ROOT CAUSES OF HIGH TESTOSTERONE❗️

There are many ways to address elevated testosterone levels⁠ but understanding the root cause is just as important. ⠀

High testosterone can happen for a number of reasons including:⁠

High insulin levels and insulin resistance -it can up-regulate DHEA to testosterone conversion. Common in PCOS⁠

High-stress levels and inflammation block DHEA production which is a “raw material” for making testosterone and estrogens. ⠀⁠

Post birth control pill use -in post-birth control syndrome androgens levels can rebound.⁠

⁠Hypothyroidism can cause a decline in the production of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), which is integral for balancing the sex hormones in a person’s blood. If SHBG levels fall too low, testosterone levels may increase⁠

⁠Increased CYP17A1 enzyme function ⁠

⁠Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (high testosterone and low cortisol) usually due to 21-hydroxylase⁠

⁠Supplementing with too much testosterone or testosterone boosters like Maca & bee pollen

The only way to know is through functional testing and evaluating which one ☝🏽 is happening in your body. This is why finding a practitioner that believes in treating root causes, not just symptoms are key.

Here are some ways to lower elevated testosterone levels:

 ✔Eating enough and balanced meals containing carbs, fat, and adequate protein cannot be overlooked! It's the foundation of everything else⁠. 

✔Omega-3 is an anti-inflammatory, fatty fish like sardines and salmon or a good quality supplement. ⁠

✔Inositol can improve insulin sensitivity and overall egg quality. It can also help with acne & mood. ⁠

✔NAC is an antioxidant and also helps improve insulin sensitivity, so it's a double whammy when it comes to insulin resistance and inflammation⁠.⁠

✔Vitamin D has been shown to help reduce testosterone levels in women⁠ (get yours checked)⁠ 

✔Spearmint, lemon balm, nettle tea and green tea. ⁠

✔Magnesium plays a role in glucose and insulin regulation. It can help with insomnia, anxiety, and may improve PMS symptoms⁠

✔Cinnamon may help improve insulin sensitivity⁠

✔Cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage, bok choy, brussels sprouts, kale

✔ Red grapes 

✔White button mushrooms

If you want some deeper answers about your hormones and health let’s talk.⁠

If so you can learn more about ways to support high testosterone levels in my do at your own pace program Mend Your Menstrual Cycle.

Ready to explore getting some support from a practitioner? Take a minute to review the options for working together here.

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