Content Health Encyclopedia University of Rochester Medical Center

Testosterone, Total and Free Davis’s Lab & Diagnostic Tests

Most of the research is on men aged 20 to 80 (who aren’t necessarily free from low testosterone symptoms). They also include men with illnesses and varying degrees of stress/environmental factors. Deepening of the voice, muscle development, strong bones, sexual desire, and function—these are all outcomes that relate to increased testosterone levels throughout childhood and normal testosterone levels throughout adulthood. Both males and females can experience health problems if their testosterone levels are out of the normal range.

These come back on a form with the male testosterone levels attached (see below). Here we explain the amount of testosterone you need to be at your peak physical, mental and sexual health. This article also uncovers how testosterone levels can be measured, how they fluctuate with age, and the current problems with the methods used to deduce the ‘normal’ testosterone range. For both men and women, testosterone levels naturally decline as they age. Men usually experience gradual age-related changes in hormone levels.

Because hormone levels change rapidly during puberty and development can occur at different ages for different people, the Tanner scale is a more accurate way to judge changes during puberty than using age. The following tables show typical levels of total testosterone in children and adolescents. In males, the testes produce testosterone, while the ovaries produce testosterone in females.

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. Treatments are available if your testosterone levels are abnormal. Low-T clinics typically don’t screen for serious health conditions that can affect testosterone production. For example, patients may need bloodwork to measure prolactin, a hormone made by the pituitary gland that, in high levels, can be a sign of a pituitary tumor. Clomid, generally used to treat female infertility, can also be prescribed for men with low testosterone. It functions as a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), indirectly stimulating testosterone production by the testes.

A scant 20 years later, and the average level has plummeted by 27 percent to just 450 nanograms per deciliter. That means the average 22-year-old man today has an average testosterone level roughly equal to that of a 67-year-old man in 2000. Testosterone, a hormone that acts as a chemical messenger, is important for both males and females.

It influences various aspects of physical and mental health, including muscle mass, bone density, energy levels, mood, and sexual function. For patients who have an elevated PSA at baseline, a second PSA test is recommended to rule out a spurious elevation. Low testosterone is frequently treated with testosterone vials replacement therapy (TRT).

Professional organizations have not set a target range, but 500 ng/dL falls within the AUA’s normal testosterone range of 450 to 600 ng/dL. Learn more about testosterone levels by age, as well as symptoms and management tips for abnormal testosterone levels. Late-onset male hypogonadism happens when the decline in testosterone levels is linked to general aging and/or age-related conditions, particularly obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Late-onset hypogonadism affects about 2% of men over the age of 40. Certain health conditions and lifestyle habits are linked with low testosterone levels in males. Males who have diabetes, smoke, are physically inactive, and carry excess weight are more likely to have low testosterone. Total testosterone levels alone are not enough to diagnose any health condition.

However, despite these limitations, several studies provide important insights into the impact of SERMs, AIs, and hCG on spermatogenesis. 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.

One important aspect of study design is the specific endpoints and objective measures used to identify outcomes. Studies are often specifically powered and designed to address a key efficacy endpoint, such as a particular symptom improvement, and not to address secondary symptom improvement or adverse events. When reviewing results from meta-analyses, it is important to recognize that the overall reliability is dependent on the quality of the weakest study included in the analysis. For example, outcomes of meta-analyses using RCTs alone are generally more robust than those that also include cohort studies. Meta-analyses that are limited to only including RCTs may be restricted to a small number of studies and relevant studies may be excluded that could provide sufficient power to make alternative conclusions. This is particularly relevant for the current guideline as it provides context to situations where the pooled odds ratios and mean differences may contradict or fail to support published meta-analyses. Study design is one of the most important aspects of any investigation because it defines the reliability of outcomes and the extent to which they may be extrapolated to other groups.

Typically starting around age 45, men naturally experience a decrease in testosterone. Low testosterone can be mistaken for depression, because men with low T lack energy, libido, and can be in a low mood. For the past 25 years, I’ve offered many middle aged and older men a fresh start on life with TRT Therapy. TRT Therapy (testosterone replacement therapy) help men with low testosterone to feel vibrant, to gain muscle mass, and to improve sexual performance. Urologist Kia Michel MD explains the options, benefits, and side effects of TRT Therapy. Don’t ignore low testosterone symptoms or concerns about your endocrine health. Schedule a consultation today to gain a deeper understanding of your testosterone levels and take meaningful steps toward improving your overall well-being.