Testosterone levels by age chart: Female

Testosterone Test: Free & SHBG, High vs Low vs. Normal Levels

Written by Dr. Kia Michel, a board certified urologist, surgeon, and founding member of Comprehensive Urology in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles. Dr. Michel’s expertise includes focal therapy (HIFU/TULSA), prostate cancer treatment, robotic surgery, and male enhancement treatments such as Shockwave Therapy for ED and penile injections. Locating TRT services can start with a consultation from a primary care physician or endocrinologist. Search online directories or medical websites to find experienced professionals offering TRT. It’s essential to choose a clinic or healthcare provider experienced in hormone treatments.

The starting point is cholesterol, notorious for its effects on the heart but critical for its role as the building block of all sex hormones, both male and female. After several intermediate steps, cholesterol is converted into androstenedione, the hormone made infamous by Mark McGwire as the unregulated “dietary supplement” andro. Whether androstenedione comes from the body or a bottle, it is rapidly converted into testosterone. If you’re concerned that your testosterone levels are low and you’d like to get tested for low testosterone, then a simple home blood test to measure your testosterone levels is a good place to start. Finding that your testosterone levels are very low, though, doesn’t automatically mean that you need treatment. Roughly 40% of males aged 45 or older and 50% of males aged 80 or older live with hypoandrogenism, or low testosterone. Symptoms of hypoandrogenism include erectile dysfunction and low libido.

Testosterone levels are determined through a blood test, as testosterone uses the blood stream to travel around your body. The amount of testosterone in your blood is measured in several different ways. A comprehensive video call will then be set up with a board-certified clinician who can explain your hormone levels and recommend a personalized treatment plan. Your clinician will also be able to give you an idea of when you will start seeing results on TRT—and warn you of any potential side effects. T levels in men can vary widely, though they generally decline in men after the age of 35, says McDevitt. “But it’s hard to say where ‘average’ is for your age, since it can depend on so many criteria,” says McDevitt.

While overall testosterone levels are important, a man’s free testosterone range is also key because free testosterone is the type of testosterone that is easily usable by the body. In women, most testosterone is converted to estradiol, a form of estrogen. It’s important to maintain healthy levels of testosterone to avoid disrupting these important functions. It’s important to maintain healthy levels of testosterone in women and men to avoid suffering from the complications of hormone imbalance. It’s crucial to consult a healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation if you have concerns about elevated free testosterone levels.

Instead of a single normal level for testosterone, normal men exhibit a wide range, with testosterone levels between 270 and 1,070 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). But, like so many biological functions, testosterone production waxes and wanes over a 24-hour cycle; production is highest at 8 a.m. For measurements to be meaningful, they should be obtained at a standard time, usually first thing in the morning. Occasionally, testosterone levels are normal but there are still symptoms of testosterone deficiency.

Most doctors agree that a “normal” reading falls anywhere between 300 to 1,000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). About 40% of men over age 45 will have levels that come in below that range. The pharmacokinetics of short-acting testosterone therapy depends on the dose, interval, and method of delivery (SQ versus IM). The half-life for IM testosterone was also shorter at 173 hours versus 240 hours for SQ testosterone. Mean does drinking hot water increase testosterone values over a 7-day time period were 1,659, 896, and 422 ng/dL for IM testosterone SQ 100, and SQ 50, respectively. Patients on short-acting IM or short-acting SQ pellets (testosterone cypionate or enanthate) should have their testosterone measured after several cycles such that testosterone level equilibration has been achieved.

Over the course of three to six months, increased muscle mass and reduced weight are common benefits. It’s important to set realistic expectations as the timeline and extent of results can vary based on factors such as age, health, and the chosen method of therapy administration. Remember, these charts show general ranges and each man may need more or less testosterone to feel energized, strong, and confident in their sexual function. Individual levels can vary based on several factors, including health status and lifestyle.

There are many reasons for this reduction in male hormone levels, from obesity to environmental chemical exposure. Men with low testosterone levels may be at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis or bone fractures. Normal levels of free testosterone levels in the blood are affected by aging. As a man gets older, his levels of both free testosterone and overall testosterone naturally drop.