How Do You Test For Testosterone

In Adults Assigned Female At Birth

For AFAB adults who arent intentionally modifying their hormone levels, research is limited into what low testosterone feels like. There also isnt a set guideline for what constitutes low T in this population.

Some symptoms, which are largely attributed to low estrogen levels, may include:

• fatigue or sluggishness
• unintentional weight gain
• mood changes, including depression

Consider talking with a healthcare professional if you experience any of these symptoms and suspect that you may have low or decreased testosterone. Again, since research is limited for low testosterone levels for AFAB adults, the symptoms could vary from those listed above.

The onset of menopause, dysfunction of the pituitary or adrenal glands, or problems with ovarian health could be causing your hormone levels to shift, and you may need to seek treatment or support managing symptoms.

Pcod In Women And Testosterone: Are They Related

PCOD is a common hormonal imbalance that affects 1 in 5 women in India. It leads to the irregularity of the menstrual cycle, acne, hair loss, excessive facial hair, coarse skin, and problems in conceiving. Many women with PCOD are found to have an imbalance in certain hormones, increased levels of testosterone being important. Usually, testosterone values in PCOD will be less than or equal to 150 ng/dL . Testosterone values of â¥200 ng/dL may warrant your physician to consider the cause to be an ovarian or adrenal tumor.

However, it is not the sole diagnostic criteria for PCOD. Depending on your results, you might also need one of these other tests:

• Androstenedione : To detect how well your adrenal glands or ovaries are functioning.
• DHEAS Test: To diagnose any problems in your adrenal glands.
• Estrogen level: To detect more about infertility or menopause.
• Follicle-stimulating hormone or luteinizing hormone : To evaluate fertility in women. Book LH-FSH ratio test here.
• Prolactin test: To look for possible causes of breast discharge, missing periods, or decreased sex drive in women.

Can This Test Be Used For Fertility

No. Even though testosterone is linked to fertility, checking your testosterone levels is not a reliable way to test your fertility. A male fertility test usually includes checking other things related to the quality of your sperm like:

• the number of sperm
• the shape of the sperm
• the movement of the sperm

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When Should You Check Testosterone Levels

In the majority of men, testosterone levels begin to naturally decline from the age of 40 – this decline tends to be pretty gradual at around 1% per year. For those deficient in the hormone, testosterone replacement therapy may be considered.

In saying that, if you suspect you may have a hormonal imbalance or would simply like to know more about your testosterone levels, you can get an idea of your hormonal health with a testosterone test.

The most reliable way to check testosterone levels from home is with an at-home Testosterone Test. The process is simple:

LetsGetCheckeds Testosterone Test offers a complete insight into your testosterone levels by measuring the amount of testosterone in your blood. Once your sample arrives in our certified laboratory, confidential results will be available from your secure online account within 2 to 5 days.

What Are The Normal Testosterone Levels For Men And Women

The so-called normal testosterone levels for men and women changes as you age. Also, depending on age, weight, overall fitness and lifestyle, what is considered a normal testosterone level for one man, could be low for another. However that having all been said, the normal range of testosterone levels for adult men is from about 270 to 1070 nanograms per deciliter .

The normal range for women of age 19 and up, is from 8 to 60 ng/dL.

The following graphic illustrates the decline in testosterone levels in men as they age.

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Why Do I Need A Testosterone Levels Test

You may need this test if you have symptoms of abnormal testosterone levels.

For males who have gone through puberty, the test is mostly used for symptoms of low T levels . Testosterone levels tend to decrease with age. But other health issues may also cause low T, such as thyroid problems, long-lasting illness, or problems with the testicles.

The symptoms of low T may include:

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Why Would Someone Need A Testosterone Test

The test is generally ordered when men have symptoms of low T or women have symptoms of high T. For example, tests may be used in the following scenarios:

• Infertility for either sex

• Erectile dysfunction

• Testicular tumors

• Early or delayed puberty in boys

• Excess body hair and deepening of the voice in women

• Irregular menstrual periods or difficulty getting pregnant

What Is The Difference Between Free Testosterone And Total Testosterone

Most of the testosterone in your blood attaches to 2 proteins: albumin and sex hormone binding globulin . Some testosterone is not attached to proteins, or free. Free testosterone and albumin-bound testosterone are also referred to as bioavailable testosterone. This is the testosterone that is easily used by your body.

If your healthcare provider thinks that you have low or high testosterone, he or she will first test total testosterone levels as above. This looks at all 3 types of testosterone. The free testosterone test may help give more information when total testosterone is low.

As with the total testosterone levels described above, your levels of free testosterone will vary due to age.

The following table illustrates the range of normal freetestosterone for men and women by age.

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More Than Just A Sex Hormone

Its not always obvious what could be causing issues such as a lack of energy, mood swings, low sex drive and abdominal fat. We often put these issues down to diet, lack of sleep or stress but there could be other underlying issues. This simple testosterone test can be used to identify a testosterone imbalance or provide insight into the onset of andropause .

Testosterone production declines at the rate of approx. 1% each year after the age of 30, but in some men this decline is more rapid. It is quite common for men entering their 40s to experience a loss of sex drive, impotence and depression due to a natural reduction in testosterone production. For men of any age difficulty controlling body weight and the inability to build muscle may indicate a hormone imbalance. Find out more with this simple testosterone test.

Why Would I Need This Test

Your doctor might suggest a blood test for testosterone if:

• you are having problems conceiving a child both men and women can be tested
• you are a man with a low sex drive
• you are a man with problems getting an erection
• you are a woman with masculine features, such as a lot of body hair or a low voice
• you are a boy and puberty has come very early, or is very late

Some diseases can also affect the amount of testosterone in your blood. These include diabetes, mumps and tumours on the testicles or ovaries. People who drink too much alcohol can also have low testosterone levels.

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How Old Are You

Once you hit age 30 your testosterone levels begin a slow, steady decline. T

his is because as we age we tend to spend less time physically active and more time working at a desk.

This is why its important to lift weights as we age it keeps our testosterone levels high. If you are in your 30s and 40s and dont lift, combined with a white-collar job you are likely a low testosterone man.

Is There A Way To Naturally Increase My Testosterone

There is not much that can be done to naturally increase testosterone levels. However, healthy lifestyle choices, including regular exercise, good nutrition, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding use of illicit drugs and/or excess alcohol, can help keep testosterone levels within a normal range. You may wish to talk to your health care practitioner about identifying and treating any underlying conditions or use of medications that might be contributing to your symptoms.

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Who Should Do Testosterone Testing

You may need to check your testosterone levels if youre experiencing any symptoms associated with low T, regardless of your age or sex assigned at birth.

Keeping an eye on your testosterone levels is also important for transgender men and transmasculine people who are using hormone replacement therapy as part of their transition.

Trans folks should check their levels every 3 months for the first year that theyre on HRT and every 612 months afterward.

Whats The Difference Between A Testosterone Blood Test And A Saliva Test

Both blood tests and saliva tests are well-established techniques for clinically measuring testosterone levels in men and women. But there are a few differences between these two testing methods:

• Sample type – Testosterone is circulated throughout your body by the bloodstream, and a fraction of it enters your saliva. Blood tests measure testosterone levels in a sample of blood, but saliva tests use a sample of saliva.
• Collection process – Blood samples are often collected through a blood draw , while saliva samples are often much easier to collect: you just spit into a tube, for example.
• Units of measure – Blood tests use nanograms per deciliter . Saliva tests use picograms per milliliter . For comparison, 1 ng/dL = 10 pg/mL, so the numerical results from two different tests that use different types of samples will look completely different. It doesnât mean either test is inaccurate.

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How It Works: The Everlywell At

Wondering how to test for low testosterone levels from the convenience of home? The Everlywell at-home testosterone level test is an easy, convenient way to check in on your T levels. The test uses a sample of your saliva to determine your bodyâs level of free testosterone â the type of testosterone thatâs biologically active and able to regulate metabolism and other functions in your cells.

Get Plenty Of Restful High Quality Sleep

Getting good sleep is just as important for your health as diet and exercise .

Sleep quality may also have major effects on your testosterone levels. In fact, one study involving 2,295 teenage boys and men found that impaired sleep could be linked to lower levels of testosterone .

The ideal amount of sleep varies from person to person, but a small 2011 study found that sleeping only 5 hours per night was linked to a 10%15% reduction in testosterone levels .

Interestingly, one study involving older men found that increased sleep duration of up to 9.9 hours was associated with increased testosterone levels. Conversely, sleeping more than 9.9 hours was actually tied to lower testosterone levels .

Although some people seem to do fine with less sleep, most research recommends aiming for at least 7 hours of sleep every night .

Summary

Its important to get plenty of high quality sleep to maintain healthy testosterone levels and optimize overall health.

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Testosterone Testing In Prostate Cancer

Total testosterone testing is indicated to confirm adequacy of androgen deprivation therapy in men with prostate carcinoma. Only tandem mass spectrometry is sufficiently sensitive to accurately measure the low total testosterone seen in men rendered chemically castrate for treatment of prostate carcinoma.15 In BC, testosterone analysis by tandem mass spectrometry is not routinely available and should be specifically requested on the requisition. Testosterone should be tested 3 months after initiating ADT, and in the event of any increase in PSA levels.

How Do You Test For Low Testosterone

Screening for low testosterone can be done with the Everlywell at-home test. This low testosterone test measures free testosteroneâinstead of total testosteroneâand only requires a simple saliva collection done in the morning . After collecting your sample, you send it to a lab for analysis. Youâll get your secure, online test result just a few days later.

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What Does The Test Measure

A testosterone test measures the level of the hormone testosterone in the blood.

Testosterone in the blood can be either bound or free:

• Bound testosterone is attached to proteins such as albumin or sex hormone binding globulin . Most testosterone is bound to SHBG.
• Free testosterone, the active form, is all the remaining testosterone that is not bound to other substances.

A total testosterone test measures both bound and free testosterone in a sample of blood. This is the most common type of testosterone test, and levels are commonly reported in nanograms per deciliter of blood . Less often, a test may be performed for free testosterone, which is reported in picograms per deciliter of blood .

Another less common test is for bioavailable testosterone, which is testosterone that can be used more readily by the body. Bioavailable testosterone includes all testosterone that is not bound to SHBG, including free testosterone and albumin-bound testosterone. Bioavailable testosterone is also commonly reported in nanograms per deciliter of blood .

The Most Common Symptoms Of Low Testosterone

As a man, testosterone plays a key role in your health and wellbeing. Its responsible for most of your male secondary sex characteristics, including your voice, facial hair growth, muscle strength and bone structure.

It also plays a key role in your sexual function. Testosterone is vital for proper sperm production, and as an adolescent, its involved in many aspects of your male sexual development.

Below, weve shared 12 common physical and mental symptoms that are used to diagnose low testosterone in men.

Because testosterone is a hormone with several functions, low levels can often result in multiple symptoms.

If youve noticed any of the symptoms below, its important to talk to your healthcare provider about getting a blood test to check your testosterone levels.

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What Other Tests Are Ordered Along With Testosterone Test

Along with testosterone test, a number of diagnostic tests are ordered to determine the exact cause of low or high levels of testosterone. Hormone tests such as total testosterone test, Luteinizing hormone test, Follicle stimulating hormone test, are ordered to help find the cause of abnormal testosterone levels.

Treatments For People With Vulvas

Treating your symptoms may be an easy initial way to reduce the effects of high T on your body.

You may decide to shave or bleach any unwanted hair or use a facial cleanser for acne to help reduce breakouts.

Exercise and a moderate diet can also help lower your T levels and reduce symptoms of certain associated conditions, such as PCOS.

Try exercising regularly with about 30 minutes of light to moderate daily exercise. Also, try eating whole, nutrient-dense foods to lose weight or ensure you get the nutrients you need.

A doctor may recommend medications to lower your T levels, including:

• low doses of oral contraceptives

Birth control pills are known to block T levels from getting too high. Some common birth control pills used to treat high T levels include desogestrel, gestodene, and norgestimate.

Low dose contraceptives arent recommended if youre planning to get pregnant.

You should also see a gynecologist before you start taking any birth control to see if there are any risks of side effects or complications from the changes that contraceptives cause in your hormones.

See a doctor as soon as possible if you experience any of the following symptoms that may mean you have high T levels:

• abnormal changes in your HDL cholesterol
• having a stroke
• swelling in your hands or legs
• having trouble sleeping or breathing while you sleep

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How To Prepare For The Test

Preparation to test your testosterone levels is easy. Other than the fasting previously mentioned, there is not much else to do except show up at the lab at the appointed time. The procedure itself takes only a few minutes, and since most labs have early morning hours beginning at 7 or 8 am, most people are on their way to work, the golf course, or breakfast in plenty of time to get the day started.

If you do not know where to get testosterone tested, do not worry, the HRT specialist will locate a lab near you and provide all of the information ahead of time. You may want to determine how much time it will take to get to the lab, as well as the best route ahead of time to ensure that you know where you are going and get there on schedule.

The testosterone test is a simple procedure that takes only a few minutes. For those who do have a fear of needles, it is recommended to turn ones head while the blood sample is collected. The only thing that will be felt is a tiny prick when the needle pierces the skin. Discuss any concerns with the HRT specialist ahead of time, and again with the lab technician at the time of appointment.