What Causes High Testosterone Levels In A Female?

Posted on Sat, 2 Jul 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 2 Jul 2016 Answered on

Sat, 23 Jul 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, I'm a female 53 years old. My testosterone levels have been extremely high. went from 749 to 950.57 ng/mL. WBC is low at 4.1 K/uL. Glucose at 111 mg/dL. SGOT/AST at 49 U/L. SGPT/ALT at 75 U/L. Cholesterol at 224 mg/dL. NON HDL Cholesterol at 164.00 mg/dL. Vitamin D 25 at 28.1 ng/mL

Answered by Dr. Mirjeta Guni (18 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please give some more information.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I read the result of the exams you reported.

Apart from the exams results there is some clinical data very important to know;

-Please specify your height and weight.

-Your symptoms and signs.

- Are you taking any medication actually ( for blood pressure, lipids etc.?)

-Have you done complementary exams for high testosterone ( abdominal ultrasound of the ovaries, adrenal gland etc.)

Please prescribe a more detailed medical history.
Will be a pleasure to answer again.

Kind regards,
Dr.Mirjeta

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Mirjeta Guni (20 hours later)

I am at 156 lbs. (overweight) 5 ft. 2 in. Not on any meds at the this time, over the counter at times when needed. I do take (when my stress/depression feel out of control and only then) ALPRAZOLAM 0.25 mg. (60 tablet can last me a year, take a half of a tablet) I do use cortisone cream 10 frequently for my hands off and on over 30+ years. Under a lot of stress/depression (work and home) I don't eat a lot, my sleep patter is shot, don't sleep much, drink NOS energy drinks, work in front of a computer all day. Had two ultrasound done the first one showed a mass (2014), the second showed nothing (2016). My last cycle was about 4 months ago. I have never been on any kind of birth control. Don't exercise the way I use to. Please explain complementary exams for high testosterone what is this.

Answered by Dr. Mirjeta Guni (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Exams to do.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,

Now the situation is a bit clear.
High testosterone level at your age may be due to;

-Policystic ovarian syndrome that has been present before
-Ovarian or adrenal tumors
-Cushing disease
-Overweight
The most probable cause is the hydrocortisone that you are taking from years, even though with low doses and topical it can cause cushing disease.
What is the most important thing now, is to exclude an ovarian or adrenal tumor.
You mentioned a mass that was diagnosed before but didn't specify where the mass was.

Any way what you need to do now is;
-DHEAS and 17-Oh progresterone
-Prolactine level
-Cortisol level at the 24 hours collected urine
-Ultrasound of the ovaries and uterus.
-Adrenal MRI

It will be a pleasure to contact again after the above results.
Kind regards,
Dr.Mirjeta

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina