When To Consider A Testosterone Test - Healthline

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HealthlineSubscribeTestosterone Tests: How They Work and Understanding the Results

Medically reviewed by Matt Coward, MD, FACS — Written by David Heitz and Kimberly Holland and Kelle Walsh — Updated on April 29, 2024

Testosterone explained
Symptoms
How they work
Testosterone ranges
When to talk to a doctor
FAQ
Takeaway

You can check your testosterone level with a simple blood test, either at your doctor’s office or with a home test kit.

Image of a person doing pushups during a workout class — Tom Werner/Getty Images

Testosterone (sometimes shortened to “T”) is often associated with males, whose bodies produce the hormone in large amounts. But female bodies produce testosterone as well. For both sexes, having too little or too much testosterone can cause symptoms.

Only a testosterone test can measure how much of the hormone is in your body and determine whether your level is within a healthy range.

Read on to learn more about testosterone, typical levels for males and females, and what a high or low testosterone test result may mean.

Language matters

In this article, we use “male and female” to refer to someone’s sex as determined by their chromosomes, and “men and women” when referring to their gender (unless quoting from sources using nonspecific language).

Chromosomes determine sex, and gender is a social construct that can vary between time periods and cultures. Both of these aspects are acknowledged to exist on a spectrum both historically and by modern scientific consensus.

What is testosterone?

Testosterone is a male sex hormone (or androgen) present in both sexes. In males, it’s produced in large amounts in the testes and is responsible for physiological male sex characteristics as well as secondary traits, including:

body hair
muscle mass
voice deepening
bone density
sperm production
red blood cell production
sex drive

In females, testosterone is produced in much lesser quantities in the ovaries, adrenal glands, and fat cells. It’s converted into the female sex hormone estradiol, and is involved with:

hormone production
bone, breast, menstrual, and vaginal health
fertility
sexual drive

Testosterone production is strongest in puberty and early adulthood and begins to decline around age 30 years.

What are the symptoms of low testosterone?

You may also want to take a testosterone test if you’re experiencing symptoms of low or high testosterone.

Symptoms in males

Low testosterone in males may lead to:

lower sex drive and energy level
erectile dysfunction (ED)
less hair growth
weight gain
feelings of depression
decreased bone density
lower sperm production

High testosterone levels in males are associated with:

aggression
excessive facial and body hair
acne
increased blood pressure

Symptoms in females

Low testosterone in females can also lessen sexual desire and affect mood, concentration, and energy levels.

High testosterone levels may:

affect hair growth, including both baldness and excess body hair
trigger acne
cause irregular menstruation
make it difficult to conceive

It’s also associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

Regular testosterone level checks are essential for transgender men and transmasculine people using female-to-male testosterone therapy.

Can I test my testosterone levels from home?

Speaking with a doctor or medical professional is a good place to start if you have concerns about your testosterone levels. There are several companies offering simple, at-home testosterone tests that can deliver results in just a few days. While these tests can be good for initial screening, a physician-ordered blood test will offer the most accurate results.

Additionally, the time of day that you take the test can also influence the results, as testosterone levels decline throughout the day. This means that early mornings are the best time for testing.

For more information, check out our picks for the Best At-Home Testosterone Tests of 2024.

How do testosterone tests work?

Testosterone tests are primarily done with a blood sample.

Testosterone tests measure:

total testosterone, or testosterone that’s both bound to proteins and floating free
free testosterone, which can be useful in ruling out certain medical conditions

These blood tests can be administered by a medical professional in a lab, or through an at-home testosterone test kit, which requires you to mail your test sample to a lab for analysis. Results are typically available within a few days.

For males under age 45 years, a testosterone test is usually performed in the morning when T levels are highest. Sometimes, the test needs to be retaken to confirm the measurements.

A saliva test may be an alternative if you experience difficulties with needles or blood samples. However, several studies have confirmed that saliva offers only a relatively accurate measurement of testosterone levels. Supplemental tests, such as serum testing, are necessary to ensure that salivary test results are accurate.

Read our list of the best at-home testosterone test kits.

Testosterone ranges: What your test results may mean

In adult males, the average testosterone range will depend on a person’s age. The unit of measure for reporting T levels is nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL), with typical average testosterone levels for younger males being in the 400s. This can be lower for males who are around age 35 years and older. However, according to the American Urology Association, men with levels below 300 ng/dL should be classified as having low T, or hypogonadism.

For adult females, testosterone is generally between 15 ng/dL and 70 ng/dL.

Aging

Keep in mind that average testosterone levels decrease with age.

For example, after age 30 years, a male’s testosterone levels, on average, decrease by 1% per year but can be as much as 2% per year. And about 50% of males older than 80 years have low T levels.

In females, testosterone levels also begin to drop more rapidly after age 30 years and are significantly reduced postmenopause. This change is associated with higher levels of body fat, decreased muscle mass, diminished bone density, and lower sexual desire and may be linked to increased risk of breast cancer.

Related conditions

If your testosterone test results show that your testosterone level is low, this may be a result of aging. But it could also be due to underlying conditions, including:

obesity
sleep apnea
cardiovascular disease
diabetes
testicular disorders

In some cases, low testosterone in females may also be caused by low estrogen or menopause, as there’s some overlap in the symptoms.

Results showing high testosterone levels could be an indication of:

PCOS
congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) in women
testicular or adrenal tumors

However, it is worth noting that high testosterone levels are rare in cases where someone is not taking testosterone. If your results show high testosterone levels, it might be worth meeting with your doctor to confirm the results through a physician-ordered blood test and to discuss your next steps.

When to talk with a doctor

If you’re concerned about your reproductive health or are experiencing any of the symptoms of having high or low testosterone, it may be a good idea to speak with a doctor.

If you took an at-home testosterone level test and your results showed levels outside the standard range, it may be worthwhile to make an appointment to see a doctor to discuss the results. Your doctor can help confirm the results, or they may order additional tests to understand what factors could be causing your low or high hormone levels. After that, they may also conduct a physical exam to check for signs of low or high T.

If the levels aren’t within a standard range, you can discuss potential treatment options, including testosterone replacement therapy. You may also consider natural ways to increase testosterone levels.

Frequently asked questions about testosterone tests

How do I test my testosterone levels?

You can test your testosterone levels with a testosterone test. These simple blood tests can be administered by a medical professional in a lab or through an at-home testosterone test kit.If you have a hard time with needles or blood samples, a saliva test may be an alternative. However, several studies have confirmed that saliva offers only a relatively accurate measurement of testosterone levels. As such, supplemental tests, such as serum testing, are necessary to ensure that salivary test results are accurate.

You can test your testosterone levels with a testosterone test. These simple blood tests can be administered by a medical professional in a lab or through an at-home testosterone test kit.

If you have a hard time with needles or blood samples, a saliva test may be an alternative. However, several studies have confirmed that saliva offers only a relatively accurate measurement of testosterone levels. As such, supplemental tests, such as serum testing, are necessary to ensure that salivary test results are accurate.

What are signs of low testosterone in males?

The signs of low testosterone in males may include reduced sex drive, low energy or fatigue, feelings of depression, irritability, hair loss, erectile dysfunction, reduced lean muscle mass, and weight gain.

How do I know if my testosterone is low?

A testosterone test is the only way to know for sure if you have low testosterone levels. But you may suspect you do if, as a male, you have symptoms including:

reduced sex drive

low energy or fatigue

feelings of depression

irritability

erectile dysfunction

weight gain

As a female, you may notice symptoms including:

decreased sexual desire

tiredness

low mood

difficulty concentrating

A testosterone test is the only way to know for sure if you have low testosterone levels. But you may suspect you do if, as a male, you have symptoms including:

reduced sex drive
low energy or fatigue
feelings of depression
irritability
erectile dysfunction
weight gain

As a female, you may notice symptoms including:

decreased sexual desire
tiredness
low mood
difficulty concentrating

What is average testosterone level by age?

At this time there are no age-specific testosterone reference ranges for males or females. But there are ranges over a lifetime by which testosterone levels are measured and compared at any age.For males, the average testosterone level range is 300–800 ng/dL. For females over age 19 years, it’s between 15 ng/dL and 70 ng/dL.Testosterone levels for males and females will be on the highest end of the respective ranges in puberty and young adulthood, peaking at 18 or 19 years, and declining as much as by 1–2% per year after age 30 years.After menopause, typically between the ages of 45 and 55 years, testosterone levels in females decrease significantly. While in men older than 80 years, low testosterone level, or less than 300 ng/dL, is common.

At this time there are no age-specific testosterone reference ranges for males or females. But there are ranges over a lifetime by which testosterone levels are measured and compared at any age.

For males, the average testosterone level range is 300–800 ng/dL. For females over age 19 years, it’s between 15 ng/dL and 70 ng/dL.

Testosterone levels for males and females will be on the highest end of the respective ranges in puberty and young adulthood, peaking at 18 or 19 years, and declining as much as by 1–2% per year after age 30 years.

After menopause, typically between the ages of 45 and 55 years, testosterone levels in females decrease significantly. While in men older than 80 years, low testosterone level, or less than 300 ng/dL, is common.

Takeaway

A testosterone test can help reveal whether any unusual symptoms, such as hair loss or excess body hair growth, mood changes, or changes in sexual desire, are related to high or low testosterone level. It may also reveal whether underlying conditions, health issues, aging, or lifestyle choices are affecting your testosterone production.

Testing can be done in a lab with a doctor’s order. Or, an at-home testosterone test can be a convenient first step in understanding your testosterone level. No matter which test method you choose, it’s best to consult with your doctor to discuss your results and go over options for potential next steps.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

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Medically reviewed by Matt Coward, MD, FACS — Written by David Heitz and Kimberly Holland and Kelle Walsh — Updated on April 29, 2024

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