How to Test Testosterone Levels: Everything You Need to Know
Testosterone Test: Free & SHBG, High vs Low vs. Normal Levels
A simple blood test can help you determine if your levels are in the normal range, which is 300–1,000 ng/dL for men and 15–70 ng/dL for women. If you’re concerned about your health or testosterone levels, it’s best to talk to a healthcare provider. Laboratories may have different reference ranges for normal testosterone levels. “Normal” ranges for testosterone also vary significantly based on your age and sex.
Testosterone production is strongest in puberty and early adulthood and begins to decline around age 30 years. Some things that cause low testosterone can also cause a low sperm count.
Measuring free testosterone levels can be done through a calculation called the Free Androgen Index (FAI) or by using equilibrium dialysis. The FAI is a calculation that takes into account the ratio between total testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), a protein that binds testosterone in the blood. Equilibrium dialysis, on the other hand, directly measures the amount of free testosterone using a more sophisticated laboratory technique.
In some cases, low testosterone in females may also be caused by low estrogen or menopause, as there’s some overlap in the symptoms. They’ll let one know whether you have normal, high, or low testosterone. A normal testosterone level for you will depend on your gender and age. Low testosterone can be caused by numerous things, with illness, injuries, stress and genetic conditions all playing a role in how the hormone is produced.
However, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional to determine which test is most appropriate for each individual case. In addition to the total testosterone test, there are other tests that can provide more detailed information about an individual’s testosterone levels. These include tests for free testosterone, bioavailable testosterone, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). Free testosterone is the amount of testosterone that is not bound to proteins and is available for use by the body.
It also provides a Medical News Today Editor’s in-depth review of LetsGetChecked’s at-home testosterone test kit. It is difficult to assess how accurate at-home testosterone kits are because most studies evaluate the technology and/or method of testing in a clinic rather than in the home. But, even when used in clinics, there is a wide range of variability in the accuracy of these tests. Because both free and albumin-bound testosterone are accessible to the body, trt md reviews they are considered bioavailable testosterone. Free testosterone is the amount of the hormone that’s readily available for the body to use. Bound testosterone is attached to proteins like sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and albumin, which transport it through the body. To get your testosterone tested at a lab, you’ll need a physician’s order.
While sedentary behavior, poor diet, and exposure to environmental toxins all decrease T levels over time, prevention is possible. Today, an estimated 25 percent of men over the age of 30 have low testosterone (or, less than 300 ng/dL of testosterone in their blood). However, data suggests that low testosterone impacts up to 40 percent of men over the age of 40. So, why is this widespread drop-off in T levels happening, exactly?
Your healthcare provider will consider other factors and symptoms to provide an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment if needed. A testosterone levels test is a medical examination used to measure the amount of testosterone hormone in the body. There are different reasons why one might need a testosterone levels test. For men, it can help diagnose conditions like hypogonadism, which is characterized by low testosterone levels. Similarly, women who have symptoms like changes in body hair growth patterns and irregularities in their menstrual cycle may also need to undergo this test. The test can also be used to monitor testosterone levels in transgender individuals who are undergoing hormone therapy. If your results are not normal, it doesn’t always mean you have a medical condition that needs treatment.
