Androgen

Question: How do I get my androgen levels tested? I have all the textbook "symptoms" of high androgen levels but I want to find out for sure. What kind of doctor does this sort of thing? Or where could I go?

Answer: Your family doctor can order any types of tests and can interpret the results. Just ask. S/he can also help to treat many problems. If there is something that is beyond the scope of his/her knowledge, you will be referred to the appropriate specialist. In this case, that might be an endocrinologist and not a GYN. But start with your GP, always.

Question: Is there a birthcontrol pill that can lessen androgen hornmones? I've heard that androgen hormones is the cause of unwanted hair growth and pimples. I'm really desperate!

Answer: You can take spironolactone to counteract androgens directly. Birth control pills contain female hormones, which counteract the effects of androgens.

Question: What is the use and purpose of an anti-androgen pills? Is it also available for men to prevent pimples? I found out from a TV ad that anti-androgen pills are taken up by women as a contraceptive, which is good for the skin. I'm having pimples because of my hormonal imbalance. I would like to know if I can avail to take in those anti-androgen pills for me to figure out if I'm going to have a good skin. Are those pills going to harm me? Or is it okay if I'm going to take it in?

Answer: Women take it to treat excessive curly pigmented terminal hair growth like on face. Men should not take Anti-androgen pills unless there is a clear indication. Antiandrogens are of different categories and have different indications. eg. Finasteride for male pattern baldness & bph. Others are given in prostatic cancer. So bottomline do NOT take it just like that unless you have a condition and your doctor has told you to do so !

Question: Is it possible to get androgen levels checked? If I go to the doctor and get blood work, can a doctor check my androgen like they can with hormones such as estrogen and progesterone?

Answer: Yes, they can test for androgen, but you may need to offer your doctor an explanation of why you are interested, if you expect insurance to cover that test.

Question: Are their any ways to increase androgen levels? besides taking steroids? What kind of doctor would I see if I have a androgen disorder?

Answer: An endocrinologist who deals with glands & hormones.

Question: How can I lower ANDROGEN levels in the body (for males)? How can I lower ANDROGEN levels in the body (for males)? It is a hormone that is part of or related to testosterone. It is relatively high. Any help you may have is very appreciated. Also, will losing weight lower androgens?

Answer: The primary and most well-known androgen is testosterone. Why do you want to lower your testosterone levels. Don't you know that high levels of testosterone are what makes a man a dominant alpha? It's what draws women to men. You will definitely have to explain your reasoning on that one.

Question: What is the criteria for Partial Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome? What is the criteria for Partial Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome?

Answer: Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) is typically characterized by evidence of feminization (i.e., undermasculinization) of the external genitalia at birth, abnormal secondary sexual development in puberty, and infertility in individuals with a 46,XY karyotype. AIS represents a spectrum of defects in androgen action and can be subdivided into three broad phenotypes: complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS), with typical female genitalia; partial androgen insensitivity syndrome (PAIS) with predominantly female, predominantly male, or ambiguous genitalia; and mild androgen insensitivity syndrome (MAIS) with typical male genitalia. Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) can be subdivided into three phenotypes: complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS), partial androgen insensitivity syndrome (PAIS), and mild androgen insensitivity syndrome (MAIS) (Table 1). The clinical findings that permit a presumptive diagnosis of AIS include the following: Absence of extragenital abnormalities Two nondysplastic testes Absent or rudimentary müllerian structures (i.e., fallopian tubes, uterus, and cervix) and the presence of a short vagina Undermasculinization of the external genitalia at birth Impaired spermatogenesis and/or somatic virilization at puberty

Question: When you lose weight do your androgen levels go down significantly? If you got down to a healthy body weight, would your androgen levels go down significantly? GYNOS AND FEMALES WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ONLY PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Answer: Um... there isn't an easy answer to this... I have only had experience with this so I will tell you my story. First, I am betting that you are a PCOS suffer. As am I. One of the things about PCOS is that since your hormones including androgen is all out of whack. You are told that you will have a hard time getting pregnant because of it. I went on to a very low calorie diet, dropped ten pounds in a week (please don't tell me how unhealthy this was, I know but I was determined to get this under control!) and then I turned up pregnant! Now here is where things get really weird! When you are pregnant and in good shape you are expected to gain about 30 pounds of baby weight. That's baby, amniotic fluid, uterus lining, breast milk and baby. According to the scales I have gained a grand total of six pounds! So that means that I have actually lost 24 pounds! They have checked -- twice -- on the baby to make sure she is growing like she should be and she is. So since I have been pregnant and my hormones have turned off I have been losing weight. I haven't really been trying at all but I haven't wanted the sugars and the bad for you things that are such diet busters! I just haven't wanted them. I hope this helps.

Question: Do birth control pills actually lower your androgen levels? Do they just lower the ratio of androgens to estrogen? And exactly what happens with the estrogen your body already produces? Does your body stop producing estrogen and progesteron (whatever it's called) because you are getting it through the pill?

Answer: The Pill prevents pregnancy in two ways: it directly stops the ovary from releasing an egg, and it prevents the man's sperm from entering the uterus by thickening the mucus produced by the woman's cervix so that it forms a natural barrier.

Question: Will Androgen help relieve muscular-skeletal aches and pains? Does it require a doctor's prescription? If so, is it expensive, cost-prohibitive? And are there other types of remedies which do not require a script but will accomplish the same result, or cost less?

Answer: Androgen could help relieve the aches and pain of the musculoskeletal system depending on what is causing the aches and pains. As for cost, it would depend on the diagnosis requiring the androgen and whether or not insurance would cover it. As for non-prescription alternatives to help with aches and pains related to the musculoskeletal system one can try things like Ibuprofen and Tylenol as well as things like IcyHot. However, before trying any of this I would recommend seeing your doctor for further evaluation of the situation.

Question: How to reduce high androgen (testosterone) levels in women? And if that is not possible, how to reduce the effects of the excess of the hormone like being overweight, hairiness, acne or deep voice?

Answer: If you know yoga, then you have to do pranayam to achieve this :-).

Question: how could any supplement possibly lower DHT but multiply testosterone and androgen? testosterone and androgen are metabolized by enzyme 5a forming DHT. most of the foods i found to naturally lower DHT are estrogenic. yet there's supplements that claim to increase testosterone and androgen while lowering DHT. is that possible?

Answer: No that is way impossible dude Colors

Question: Should a blood test for hormone imbalances pick up on excess androgen production? Thanks.

Answer: depends on the type of blood test

Question: Can you take any drugs to counter act the side effects of androgen/anabolic steroids? Can the hypogonadism and shrinkage be controlled with FSH/LH treatment> Can high LDL's and low HDL be fixed with niacian or statin? Can the hypertension be controlled with diuretic? If they can be corrected, would affect the steroids efficiacy?

Answer: Look into Nova, clomid and HCG. I can't really discuss steroids much here but make an ID at www.thestrengthsociety.com and ask the question there

Question: So i've read that women taking saw palmetto can lower their androgen levels and it will increase estrogen? But i read that this is for women with high testosterone levels. Can anything bad happen if a women with "normal" testosterone and estrogen levels takes saw palmetto?

Answer: Saw Palmetto helps balance out hormones in women with high(er) testosterone levels. It is typically useful for women with PCOS. It helps stop unwanted hair growth and can help with acne and balding. I have PCOS and started taking Saw Palmetto today :) I heard it was beneficial in 160mg My friend had "normal" levels and was the one who gave the supplement to me because she said it didn't do anything for her... We'll see if it helps PCOS! If you don't want to change or alter your hormone levels you should prob not take this supplement- I would suggest a Hair, Skin, and Nails one if you want the hair and skin benefits. Good luck! xx

Question: What doctor can check my androgen level? Is there a specific doctor I need to go to or can any doctor check?

Answer: Any MD or PA can order the test from just about any lab. Here's more: http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/BHCV2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Androgen_deficiency?ope