Typical Testosterone Levels In Men
Its important to speak with your doctor after receiving your results to better understand what they mean for you and your health. If your doctor has any concerns, they may consider a full diagnosis and treatment plan.
Levels between 300 and 800 nanograms per deciliter are the most common levels.
According to the American Urology Association, in men, levels below 300 ng/dL should be classified as low T or hypogonadism.
Testosterone levels typically decrease with age, so its not unusual to have lower levels at an older age. In fact, 50% of men over age 80 may have low T levels.
Ask your doctor about testosterone tests if you suspect you have below-standard hormone levels or if you notice developmental issues in your children. A wide range of treatments are available.
Some treatments include testosterone pellet implants and an oral testosterone supplement approved by the Food and Drug Administration .
The most common treatment for low testosterone is testosterone replacement therapy . TRT is given as an injection, a skin patch, or a topical gel containing testosterone that replaces the testosterone missing from your body.
Though this treatment is common, TRT is known to have some risks and side effects, including:
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- Sample collection method: finger prick
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This company provides a variety of home tests, including testosterone tests. The pack includes a lancet to collect a sample so a person can perform a finger prick test at home.
The company reports that its labs have CLIA certification.
When LetsGetChecked receives a persons test, an individual should follow the instructions to activate the test on the companys website and take their sample in the morning.
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Results will appear on a persons online account within 25 days. Additionally, the company claims that nurses are available 24 hours a day to explain results and next steps in case of positive or indicative results.
LetsGetChecked does not accept private health insurance, but it takes many FSA and HSA payments.
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The pros and cons of the LetsGetChecked test may include:
Pros
- can send results within 2 days
- nurses are available 24 hours a day
- accepts FSA and HSA payments
Cons
When Should I Consult A Doctor About My Testosterone Levels
If you are concerned about your reproductive health or are experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms of having high or low testosterone, it may be a good idea to speak with a doctor.
You can explain your symptoms to your doctor, who may suggest a testosterone test or other hormonal tests to help diagnose your symptoms and create a treatment plan.
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When Should I Get This Test
Your doctor may order a testosterone test if you are experiencing symptoms that suggest hormone levels outside of a normal range.
- Early or late onset of puberty
- Erectile dysfunction
- Osteoporosis or thinning of the bones
Even if you donât have symptoms doctors may also evaluate your testosterone levels if you have a health condition that can affect hormone levels. For example, testosterone testing may be performed if you have HIV/AIDS, unexplained bone density loss, infertility, or anemia. If you have undergone certain types of cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiation to the testicles, you may also have your testosterone levels checked.
Doctors may check testosterone levels as part of a diagnostic work-up in women or anyone with ovaries if physical changes suggest a higher-than-normal testosterone level. Changes may include the following:
- Irregular periods
- Changes in hair growth patterns
- Skin changes such as oily skin or acne
- Enlarged clitoris
You may also have testosterone testing if you are a transgender man on masculinizing hormone therapy intended to induce and maintain male sex characteristics. Testing is recommended every three months during the first year of therapy as your dose is adjusted. After that, your doctor may suggest monitoring your testosterone levels one to two times per year.
If you have questions about testosterone testing, talk with your health care provider, who can discuss whether this testing is appropriate in your situation.
Mens Health Assessment And Blood Test
The first part of testing for low testosterone is to undergo a comprehensive mens health assessment. After discussing concerns and symptoms with your doctor, you will take a blood test to determine the amount of testosterone in your body, along with other things like red and white blood cell count. We do this to get a broad view of your health and determine the cause of your symptoms. In addition, we do a full blood panel to test for both testosterone and other conditions you may be suffering from. Your blood work includes both testosterone tests for a more detailed look at your hormone levels.
Some doctors will initially only do one type of testosterone test to check for low T. However, we take a holistic approach to mens health to help you get results. We conduct both testosterone tests at the same time for your convenience and for a broader look at your levels. The two types of testosterone tests are total testosterone tests and SHBG tests. Each contribute to determining whether you could benefit from testosterone replacement therapy.
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Do A Credential Check
If you are going to get TRT, then the last thing you would want to happen is for things to go wrong. And it will cost you not only your money but your precious time trying to reverse it. Testosterone replacement therapy is something that is getting a lot of popularity and a lot of quacks are on the rise to get their hands on this cash cow. Take your time and go through a clinics website. With a keen look at the website, you will get to know the staff and how qualified they are. For more information on the doctors, you can get a more detailed external website search.
How To Get Your Free Testosterone Checked
Chris Rue
Free testosterone! It is what matters. Total testosterone levels are insignificant when it comes to treating low testosterone. Here’s why. Free testosterone is the active form of testosterone in the body. It comprised about 2% of the total present in circulation. Most of it is bound to proteins like albumin and sex hormone binding globulin . This means that 98% is being used for other things. So, if only total T is checked then there is an unclear picture of the active form in the body.
So, when someone checks your total T and not the free T you must ask yourself if they routinely work with men who have low T. Remember those symptoms I wrote about in a previous post: low sex drive, increased abdominal fat, weight gain, decreased muscle tone/strength, loss of morning erections, cloudy thinking, man boobs and low motivation. That’s a lot of effects on the body from one hormone and you certainly deserve to be provided the total picture of your hormone status. The fact that testosterone has so many benefits presents a strong argument as to why OPTIMAL levels of hormones are important to maintain.
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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.
Whats The Difference Between A Total Testosterone Test And A Free Testosterone Test
Some of the testosterone in the body circulates freely, but much of it is bound to other proteins in the bloodstream like sex hormone-binding globulin . Testosterone that circulates freely is known as free testosterone.
Total testosterone, on the other hand, represents the total amount of testosterone in the blood â both free and bound. So your total testosterone levels should be higher than your free testosterone levels.
While a total testosterone panel measures your total testosterone level, the Everlywell Testosterone Test measures your free testosterone level. Research shows that free T levels may be a better predictor of testosterone deficiency symptoms compared to total testosterone levels.
For example, in one study, âfree testosterone correlated with erectile dysfunction severity among young men with normal total testosterone.â
Learn more about testosterone levels in women: Unhealthy Testosterone Levels In Women: Causes and Symptoms
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Are The Testosterone Tests Reliable
The blood tests for low testosterone are reliable when they are done properly, and the individual follows all guidelines for the testing such as fasting before the blood specimen is drawn. This is what helps provide an accurate reading.
One of the most important markers checked is the results of the testosterone total test. This will measure the amount of testosterone that is bound to proteins in the blood and that which is not bound. Bioavailable and free testosterone levels are also checked. The free levels are important because that is what helps with muscle tone, energy, memory and concentration, and of course sex drive and performance.
In addition to the blood test for low testosterone, the doctor will also check IGF-1 levels for growth hormone deficiency, thyroid functions, complete blood counts, cholesterol and triglycerides, and other crucial markers to ensure that an accurate reading and understanding of the persons medical condition is determined.
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.
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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.16In BC, testosterone analysis by tandem mass spectrometry is available upon request and should be specifically indicated on the requisition. Testosterone should be tested three months after initiating ADT, and in the event of any increase in PSA levels.
Measures Total Testosterone Only
Initial low testosterone tests on the NHS measure the amount of total testosterone in blood samples. This is a great primary indicator of testosterone deficiency, but there is no consideration of the amount of calculated free testosterone in the body. According to research, men with healthy TT levels yet low cFT levels can experience androgen deficiency-related symptoms. Despite these clear clinical signs, these men would not be diagnosed with low testosterone through NHS testing.
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What Does The Testosterone Test Result Mean
The meaning behind the testosterone blood test results is important to understand. Testosterone levels vary by gender and by age. By the time a man enters his thirties, his production of this powerful hormone will start to decrease. Weight, medications, and illness can cause a more rapid decline, as can lack of exercise, poor sleep, an unhealthy diet, and excessive stress. Women typically show a more pronounced decline as they enter menopause.
Part of the reason other markers are checked when testing total and free testosterone levels is to rule out possibilities such as testicular, ovarian, adrenal, or pituitary tumors, genetic diseases, prostate cancer, and thyroid issues.
Normal total testosterone level testing results for men should be between 270 and 1070 ng/dL although some medical professionals believe that symptoms associated with readings below 500 ng/dL in men could signal Low T that requires treatment. Womens levels are much lower 15 to 70 ng/dL, although, after menopause, it could be half this amount. That would also be an indicator for Low T symptoms.
Normal free testosterone levels for men are between 50 and 210 pg/mL, and for women 1.0 8.5 pg/mL.
| Age | |
| 5.4 | 65.9 |
High free testosterone or total testosterone levels in men could be due to cancer or tumors in the testicles or adrenal glands. Women could have similar concerns in the ovaries or adrenals, as well as PCOS polycystic ovarian syndrome.
What Do The Results Of A Testosterone Test Mean
A testosterone test tells you whether your testosterone levels are low, high or in a typical range. The meaning of the results varies by age and sex.
In men and people AMAB:
- Low testosterone could point to problems with the pituitary gland, such as a pituitary tumor, or normal aging.
- High testosterone could mean a tumor in the adrenal glands or testicles.
In male children:
- Low testosterone points to problems with the testicles, such as undescended testicles or Klinefelter syndrome.
- High testosterone could point to a tumor in the adrenal glands or testicles.
In women and people AFAB:
- Low testosterone may point to a pituitary gland disorder called Addison disease.
- High testosterone may point to ovarian cancer or polycystic ovary syndrome .
What is normal testosterone for a man or person AMAB?
In people AMAB, typical testosterone levels are between 300 and 750 nanograms per deciliter . After age 30, testosterone levels decrease by around 2% each year.
What is normal testosterone by age?
Specific testosterone levels vary significantly from person to person depending on factors such as time of day, stress level and body weight. Therefore, normal testosterone is different for everyone.
In general, people AMAB have low testosterone until puberty, when it begins to rise. Testosterone peaks around age 19 and then gradually declines throughout life.
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Why Use This Test
- Both reliable and affordable, the Saliva Testosterone Test Kit is used to compare the free testosterone level against the average for age and gender.
- Set a benchmark for our own reference going forward.
- The Tracker-T testosterone tracking app is included free.
- See Reviews Tab above to read what others thought about this test kit.
It Turns Out I Have Low Testosterone Where To From Here
If the results show that youre suffering from low testosterone, theres no need to panic. There are many options available. Depending on the specifics of your symptoms, your hormone doctor will sit down with you and work out a treatment plan thats specially tailored to your exact needs.
In the meantime, it can be worthwhile to read up and stay informed to ensure youre prepared for whats to come, as well as alleviate any fears or misconceptions you may have about testosterone replacement therapy.
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Signs & Symptoms You Should Get That Checked
Theres no need for needless stressing. If youre feeling low, lethargic, or just out of the loop, its time to have your testosterone levels checked so you can either rule in or out any potential changes in your testosterone levels and act accordingly.
Turning your life around really does start with just a simple blood test.
Want to find out more? Consider starting with our FREE Online Testosterone Self Test, followed by a free in-office evaluation with one of our hormone doctors . From there, we can schedule a 45 minute, in-depth evaluation of your labs for just $75 .
Do YOU have low testosterone?
What Is The Better Time For Testosterone Testing
It is important to know when to test testosterone levels in order to get an accurate reading. The last thing anyone wants to do is to have to keep paying for the same procedure over and over because the appropriate guidelines were not followed and the results did not provide clear answers.
Testing for testosterone levels at the right time of day is crucial. Testosterone is at its highest point in the bloodstream between 7 and 9 am. Factors such as food, coffee, and juice can interfere with the readings, so fasting is a requirement from midnight of the night before the test until after the blood specimen has been drawn.
Do not eat or drink anything at all before the blood test for testosterone levels, and if any medications must be taken before the testing, discuss this with the hormone replacement specialist at the time the appointment is scheduled.
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