You can check your testosterone level with a simple blood test, either at your doctor’s office or with a home test kit.
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.
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
- 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.
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.
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
A saliva test may be an alternative if you experience difficulties with needles or blood samples. However, several
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
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
In females, testosterone levels also begin to drop more rapidly after age 30 years and are
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
