Testosterone Toxicity
What Does It Mean?
Testosterone toxicity occurs when abnormally high levels of testosterone circulate in the body, leading to metabolic, cardiovascular, and hormonal imbalances. This can result from endogenous overproduction, exogenous hormone use, or impaired detoxification pathways.
How Did We Get There?
Root Causes:
- Excessive Exogenous Testosterone Use – Overuse of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) or anabolic steroids.
- Impaired Hormone Detoxification – Poor liver function and glutathione depletion hinder testosterone metabolism.
- Estrogen Imbalance – Inefficient testosterone-to-estrogen conversion may lead to excessive free testosterone.
- Dysregulated Androgen Receptors – Sensitivity variations in androgen receptors can cause exaggerated responses.
- Metabolic Dysfunction – Insulin resistance and obesity may contribute to altered testosterone metabolism.
Signs & Symptoms:
- Aggressiveness, mood swings, or irritability
- Acne and excessive oil production
- Elevated blood pressure and cardiovascular strain
- Increased muscle mass with concurrent fatigue
- Prostate enlargement and urinary symptoms
- Suppression of natural testosterone production (feedback inhibition)
- Elevated red blood cell count, increasing clotting risk
Lab Test Findings
| Lab Test Name | Expected Change | Optimal Range |
| % Free Testosterone | Increased | 1.60-2.20 % |
| ALT (SGPT) | Increased | 10.00-26.00 IU/L |
| AST (SGOT) | Increased | 10.00-26.00 IU/L |
| Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) | Increased | 50.00-65.00 ug/dL |
| Estradiol-E2 | Increased | 24.00-39.00 pg/mL |
| Estrogen (Female) | Decreased | 80-250 pg/mL |
| Hemoglobin (Female) | Increased | 13.50-14.50 g/dL |
| RBC (Male) | Increased | 4.20-4.90 cells/µL |
| Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (Male) | Decreased | 40.00-46.00 nmol/L |
| Testosterone, Total (Male) | Increased | 700.00-1100.00 ng/dL |
How Do We Treat It?
Functional Medicine Approach:
Reducing excess testosterone requires hormone detoxification, estrogen modulation, and metabolic support.
Supplement Protocol
| Supplement | Function | Dosage & Frequency |
| Hormone Plus | Provides nutrients to balance hormone metabolism | 2 capsules without food, daily |
| Vita-Glutathione | Enhances detoxification and antioxidant support | 3 capsules with or without food, daily |
| Vita DIM | Supports estrogen metabolism to reduce excess testosterone | 1 capsule with or without food, daily |
Additional Lifestyle Interventions:
- Reduce Exogenous Testosterone Use: Reevaluate dosage or eliminate unnecessary testosterone supplementation.
- Support Liver Detoxification: Consume cruciferous vegetables, green tea, and turmeric to enhance hormone clearance.
- Monitor Estrogen Balance: Maintain healthy aromatase activity to prevent excessive free testosterone.
- Optimize Cardiovascular Health: Exercise regularly, manage blood pressure, and avoid excessive stimulants.
- Hydration & Nutrition: Ensure adequate water intake and a balanced diet to support metabolic function.