Testosterone: What It Is, Function & Levels

What Is A Normal Testosterone Level For Your Age?

These findings support the concept that sexual function represents a multidimensional condition that cannot be easily captured using subjective sexual function questionnaires. Because of circadian variations in testosterone levels, serum testosterone measurement should occur in the morning, or within two hours of awakening in shift workers (Figure 19 ). Although there is no universal laboratory definition of hypogonadism, in most laboratory reference ranges, the lower limit of normal is between 250 and 350 ng per dL (8.7 to 12.2 nmol per L). The Evaluation and Management of Testosterone Deficiency AUA Guideline provides guidance to the practicing clinician on how to diagnose, treat and monitor the adult male with testosterone deficiency. The care of testosterone deficient patients should focus on accurate assessment of testosterone levels, symptoms and signs as well as proper on-treatment monitoring to ensure therapeutic testosterone levels are reached and symptoms are ameliorated. Guidance is also given on the management of patients with cardiovascular disease, men who are interested in preserving their fertility and men who are at risk for or have prostate cancer. Testosterone therapy is a billion-dollar industry, with studies reaching myriad conclusions on the pros and cons of the treatment.

Beginning around age 40, men’s testosterone levels start to gradually drop by about 1 to 2% each year. Reduced testosterone levels are quite common, with over a third of men over age 45 having levels below what is considered normal for their age. Men may notice symptoms of fatigue, depression or loss of facial and body hair. Beyond the decrease in muscle mass, lower levels of testosterone can also cause brittle bones, which increases the risk of fractures.

Levels increase throughout childhood and, perhaps unsurprisingly, spike during adolescence. By your early 20s, your testosterone levels are the highest they’ll ever be naturally. But testosterone levels vary significantly between men — so knowing how to tell if your testosterone is high or low is not always straightforward. In this article, we look at how testosterone levels change with age, how to check your testosterone levels, and when it’s worth exploring further. In 2022, there are multiple delivery system options for testosterone replacement therapy. These include pills by mouth, Once per week subcutaneous injections, Once every two weeks intramuscular injections, testosterone nasal spray, topical gels as well as four-month depot pellets.

And 10 a.m., so your provider may ask you to come in for testing then. Your doctor will help you decide if measuring your testosterone levels is important. Blood tests are the only way to know for certain if testosterone levels are low. The normal range is above 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). Two blood tests on separate days must show low testosterone levels before a diagnosis is confirmed. Maintaining normal testosterone levels throughout a man’s life can support his sex drive and fertility, and build the strength of his muscles and bones.

The best way to check for low testosterone is to visit a doctor for a physical exam and a blood test. There may be other important functions of this hormone that have not yet been discovered. Hormonal conditions can be tricky to find and complicated to treat. The experts in endocrinology at Cleveland Clinic are here to provide the best care.

The effects were modest, however, and certainly should not deter men who need androgen deprivation therapy from receiving it. Often, men who present with symptoms of hypogonadism are physically inactive, overweight or obese, have chronic medical conditions like type 2 diabetes and/or undiagnosed/untreated obstructive sleep apnea. In these men who are found to have normal testosterone levels, treatment should be directed at lifestyle modification. This may not only help them lose weight and become healthier, but also feel better.

Given these inconsistences, prevalence of low testosterone has varied dramatically among studies, with statistics reporting %.5-8 A summary of findings from four large-scale contemporary prevalence studies can be found in Table 3 (See button below). Where gaps in the evidence existed, the Panel provides guidance in the form of Clinical Principles or Expert Opinion with consensus achieved using a modified Delphi technique if differences of opinion emerged. A Clinical Principle is a statement about a component of clinical care that is widely agreed upon by urologists or other clinicians for which there may or may not be evidence in the medical literature. Expert Opinion refers to a statement, achieved by consensus of the Panel, that is based on members’ clinical training, experience, knowledge, and judgment for which there is no evidence. In children assigned female at birth, testosterone concentration starts at about 2.4 nanograms (ng) per deciliter (dL) of blood at age six and increases to about 29.5 ng/dL by age 20. Testosterone levels in males peak at 19 years and naturally decline with age. They decrease by an average of 1% to 2% each year after age 30, although they may stabilize in your 40s or beyond.

When testosterone levels rise too high, the brain sends signals to the pituitary to reduce production. A healthy testosterone level will vary between people based on factors such as age and sex. If people are not experiencing problems with puberty, growth, development, fertility issues, or metabolic disorders, they will likely have a suitable level of testosterone. Some athletes and bodybuilders misuse synthetic testosterone (anabolic steroids) by taking very high doses of them in an attempt to boost performance or change their physical appearance. Misuse of these drugs can cause several unpleasant symptoms and lead to long-term dangerous health problems, including blood clots, stroke, and potentially increase the risk of prostate cancer. A testosterone levels test measures the amount of testosterone in a sample of your blood. Testosterone is known as a “male” sex hormone, but females have testosterone in smaller amounts.