Understanding Testosterone Test Results: What You Need to Know

Total Testosterone Testing Low T Test

Because of this, free testosterone is theorized—although still debated—to be a good proxy for how much of your testosterone is actively working. After creating an account and activating your test online, collect the test sample and return it to the lab using the prepaid shipping label. Commercial testosterone test kits cost between $70 and $120, not including sales tax. At-home tests aren’t generally covered by insurance, but some manufacturers accept HSA/FSA cards.

Total testosterone refers to the overall amount of the hormone in the bloodstream, including both bound and unbound forms. You should speak to a doctor if you are concerned about either of these conditions. A testosterone test can be useful if you are concerned that your testosterone level is too high or too low. You should speak to your doctor if you’re worried about this. Unlike female menopause, which involves a clear-cut cessation of ovulation and hormone production, male menopause occurs more gradually and varies widely among individuals. It’s also influenced by lifestyle, health, and psychological factors. Testosterone levels can fluctuate significantly throughout the day.

Low testosterone levels increase the risk of various health issues like diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, and depression. Total TestosteroneYour total testosterone level is a measure of the testosterone concentration you have in your blood. Also known as Total T, it includes both free testosterone as well as the testosterone bound to the proteins in your blood (e.g. albumin, sex hormone binding globulin). While testosterone is commonly regarded as the primary male sex hormone, it is also essential for bone density, libido, body fat distribution, and supporting muscle mass. Testosterone tests are primarily used to diagnose conditions related to abnormal testosterone levels. In men, low testosterone levels can lead to symptoms such as reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, and decreased muscle mass.

These hormones work together to stimulate the testes to make testosterone. Regular exercise reduces your risk of an abundance of health conditions and diseases. It could even help control sexual health issues such as erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. 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. Regular testosterone level checks are essential for transgender men and transmasculine people using female-to-male testosterone therapy.

It affects male fetuses as they develop in the uterus, as well as teenage sexual development during puberty. AIS prevents male genitals from developing as they should and almost always results in infertility (it’s difficult or impossible to father children) during adulthood. The two charts below list the general normal ranges of testosterone based on age and sex. Healthcare providers use synthetic testosterone to treat and manage various medical conditions. Natural testosterone is a steroid — an anabolic-androgenic steroid.

This test panel measures markers in your blood that are commonly evaluated by healthcare providers to diagnose hormone imbalance disorders, such as hypogonadism. The best time to do a testosterone blood test is in the morning, typically between 7 AM and 10 AM. This is because testosterone levels are highest in the early morning and gradually decline throughout the day. Testing during this time ensures the most useful and consistent result.

You will generally receive results showing your testosterone levels within several days. Your results may be uploaded to an online health portal for viewing or sent to you in the mail. Self-collection kits contain all the materials needed to obtain a blood or saliva sample and mail it to a laboratory for testing. Results from at-home testosterone tests are usually available within a few days.

Read our article to learn more about essential hormones and how they affect women’s menstrual cycles. In adult males, the average what food raise testosterone in men 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.