Free Testosterone in Women: How Free is it?

Remember, testosterone has important functions in women, and an imbalance can lead to uncomfortable symptoms and metabolic disorders.

Free testosterone is the active hormone that circulates unbound to sex hormone binding globulin or albumin. Like any hormone, too much or too little can significantly affect the body.

Levels in women should be evaluated in the event of masculinization, changes in libido, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition associated with excess testosterone. 

High levels of free testosterone can be seen with masculinization, PCOS, insulin resistance, abdominal obesity, and increasing severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, steatohepatitis, and fibrosis.

Lower free testosterone in women has been associated with lower libido and decreased sexual function index scores in several categories.

CLICK HERE to read a post we made on why NOT to measure Free Testosterone in favor of using the Free testosterone calculator.

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