TESTOSTERONE

• Testosterone is the most important representative of the male sex hormones collectively called androgens. The male gonads (testes) produces testosterone, under the influence of a hormone released from the pituitary gland called luteinizing hormone and the adrenal gland produces testosterone in small amounts.
• In women, 50% comes from the ovaries, with the rest coming from the adrenal gland or conversion in the tissues. The signals are particularly strong in the early morning which accounts for the higher testosterone levels. By late evening the levels of testosterone can fall by 50 percent.
• Testosterone production increases rapidly at the onset of puberty, but starts to drop the nearer you get to 30 years of age. During puberty, testosterone levels are at their lifetime peak. A high intra testicular level of testosterone is an absolute prerequisite for sperm production. In men, it has been well established that mean testosterone levels drop progressively with age.
• Testosterone aids in the development of secondary male sex characteristics – increased growth of body hair , beard growth , deep voice , increased production of sebaceous glands , development of the penis , aggressiveness , sexual behaviour , libido and the maturation of sperm and in Promotion of the protein biosynthesis which accelerates muscle build up , increases the formation of red blood cells , speeds up regeneration , and speeds up recovery time after injuries or illness .
• Typically , a test for Testosterone is used for diagnosis. The total Testosterone measures testosterone that is bound to proteins and free testosterone .
• Excess Testosterone leads to early Puberty, enlarged penis, small testes in males and in females Enlarged Clitoris resembling a Penis ,Irregular Menstrual Periods and trouble in Conceiving
• Low production of testosterone leads to Decreased sex drive, Erectile dysfunction (ED), Lowered sperm count or increased breast size ,Increased irritability ,inability to concentrate and depression

• In men, the test is done when infertility is suspected or when man has decreased sex drive or Erectile dysfunction
• When a young boy seems to be undergoing precocious puberty
• In Woman when there is irregular periods or Amenorrhoea, infertility and masculine features

MALES :

• Testicular Tumours
• Adrenal tumours
• Use of Androgens
• Early puberty of unknown cause
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Women:

• PCOS
• Ovarian or adrenal Tumour
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia

• Hypothalamic or pituitary disease
• Klienfelter’s syndrome
• Kallmann syndrome
• Prader -willi syndrome
• Infertility
• Chronc disease such as diabetes