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What Causes Excessive Facial Hair And Cystic Acne While Testosterone Level Is 8?
Question: Hi, I recently asked on this site about PCOS and received great advice however, I have another question. How can I have symptoms of too much testosterone (hair on face, cystic acne on chin and jawline) but when I received my lab results, my testosterone level is an 8. I just turned 40 and have been trying to do a fitness competition but I'm also struggling to put on muscle mass and holding on to a little fat. Please help explain....
Brief Answer:
Spironolactone blocks actins of testosterone.
Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Noted your concern. In poly cystic ovary syndrome, your ovaries/adrenals may produce several male hormones like androstenedione, DHEA, DHEA-S etc apart from testosterone. It is not clear if you had got a Total testosterone level or a Free testosterone level done. Even if the total testosterone is normal, you may have elevated free testosterone which could cause several symptoms like acne and excessive hair growth.
Could you attach a copy of the investigations done ?
You are on Spironolactone which is an androgen receptor blocker ( testosterone receptor blocker). Testosterone is required for acquiring muscle mass. Since you are on an androgen recptor blocker like spironolactone which blocks the actions of testosterone, it may be difficut to develop a good muscle mass despite doing exercise. Please feel free to ask further if yiu need more clarifications.
Regards
Binu
Spironolactone blocks actins of testosterone.
Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Noted your concern. In poly cystic ovary syndrome, your ovaries/adrenals may produce several male hormones like androstenedione, DHEA, DHEA-S etc apart from testosterone. It is not clear if you had got a Total testosterone level or a Free testosterone level done. Even if the total testosterone is normal, you may have elevated free testosterone which could cause several symptoms like acne and excessive hair growth.
Could you attach a copy of the investigations done ?
You are on Spironolactone which is an androgen receptor blocker ( testosterone receptor blocker). Testosterone is required for acquiring muscle mass. Since you are on an androgen recptor blocker like spironolactone which blocks the actions of testosterone, it may be difficut to develop a good muscle mass despite doing exercise. Please feel free to ask further if yiu need more clarifications.
Regards
Binu
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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