Testosterone molecule
Testosterone
Saliva Test
What is testosterone?
Testosterone is an
androgenic hormone found in both men and
women, being produced by the
testes and the adrenal glands. The
testes produce large amounts of testosterone
and consequently testosterone is more
dominant in men than women. This hormone is
responsible for the distinguishing
characteristics of the masculine body, and
also is also responsible for libido, muscle growth and
calcium deposition in the bones, in both men
and women.
Women occasionally have higher levels of testosterone than
considered normal. This is seen in
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) commonly.
What are the symptoms of
testosterone imbalance?
Low testosterone levels in men results in lowered libido,
low mood, low motivation and drive, loss of muscle mass, decreased size of
sexual organs (if deficiency is severe),
difficulty establishing an erection and
infertility. Low levelss are also associated
with arteriosclerosis and hip
fractures. In women low testosterone can
also cause decreased libido and a loss of
motivation and drive.
Symptoms
of elevated testosterone in women include
hirsutism, acne, weight gain and anovulation.
Why
do imbalances occur?
The testes metabolic processes are sensitive to stress,
smoking, environmental toxins, oestrogen and
nutritional deficiencies. The increase in
these factors has resulted in a growing
incidence of male infertility, a doubling of
testicular cancer and a decrease in male
sexual function.
Stress
can also have a profound effect in both men
and women on testosterone production as can the
imbalance in other sex hormones.
What does the test involve?
The test is carried out using a single saliva
sample, giving valuable information about the
active levels of testosterone.
Pricing
To order test go to
Having
a Test
