Testosterone levels in men have been declining steadily over the past few decades. Low testosterone can affect energy, muscle mass, mood, and libido.
Men often struggle to identify the cause of these symptoms, leading to confusion and frustration.
Without proper testing, it's challenging to determine if testosterone levels are within a healthy range.
The article will guide you through checking your testosterone levels, interpreting results, and understanding what they mean for your health.
Key Takeaways
- Blood tests provide the most accurate testosterone measurements, with options ranging from clinical lab draws to at-home testing kits.
- Testosterone levels peak early in the morning. Testing at the same time every day between 7 and 10 am yields most accurate results for men under age 45.
- At-home lab tests that measure total testosterone, free testosterone, and other markers, with results available in days, are available.
Checking your testosterone levels
Testosterone tests measure the levels of hormones in your blood.
In men, the testicles are the primary source of testosterone. Males naturally have higher testosterone levels than females.
Optimal health generally involves testosterone within an age and sex specific range.
Testosterone levels on the lower end of this range can contribute to health issues such as fatigue, decreased libido, and changes in muscle mass.
Healthcare providers often recommend testing when symptoms suggest potential hormone imbalances.
How to get your testosterone levels checked
Testosterone levels can be measured in a few ways:
- In-person venipuncture (clinic)
- At-home shoulder draw (best results)
- At-home salivary
- At-home finger draw
At-home testosterone testing offers a convenient way to test your testosterone levels without the clinic visit.
At-home labs include clear instructions for collecting a small blood sample, usually via a shoulder blood draw device, finger blood draw, or salivary test.
Once you've collected your sample, you'll mail it to a certified lab for analysis. The process is simple and only takes a few minutes to complete.
Healthcare providers typically test testosterone levels through blood draws at medical facilities.
You'll schedule an appointment, visit a lab or clinic, and a medical professional will draw a small blood sample from your arm. The process of drawing the blood takes less than five minutes.
Testosterone blood tests: What do they measure?
Testosterone blood tests are highly accurate and reliable ways to assess hormone levels.
They provide important data that helps healthcare providers make informed decisions about patient health.
Testosterone tests typically analyze different forms of testosterone and other important blood markers:
Total testosterone is both the free (unbound) and bound testosterone in the blood.
Total testosterone tests are often used as an initial screening to provide a snapshot view of testosterone levels.
Free testosterone measures only the unbound, active form of testosterone in your blood.
This is the form of testosterone that’s available for your body to actually use.
While free testosterone makes up just a small portion of total testosterone levels, it’s very important for many aspects of biological functioning.
Estradiol is a form of estrogen that men need in small amounts.
It helps bone health and libido but high levels can lead to unwanted fat gain or mood changes.
At-home testosterone tests
Blood tests are generally more accurate, holistic, and preferred than saliva tests.
Blood is typically drawn from the shoulder with a simple and easy to use device.
Finger-pricking tests involving dried blood spot collection are also used but are less accurate and reliable.
At-home Saliva tests
Saliva tests are less invasive, but only measure free testosterone levels. Saliva tests are also not accurate or reliable compared to blood testing.
Blood tests also measure both free and total testosterone.
Accuracy varies among at-home tests. They may be less accurate due to several factors, including differences in laboratory techniques, user error, pre-test protocols (fasting and morning testing), laboratory error, or sample mishandling during transport.
What factors impact testosterone testing?
Testosterone levels fluctuate due to various factors. Understanding these influences helps ensure accurate measurements and proper evaluation of your hormonal health.
Multiple factors influence testosterone readings:
Age impacts testosterone levels significantly. Males experience a 0.4-2% decrease annually after age 30. While this decline is gradual, many men pursue testosterone optimization to maintain healthy levels as they age.
Testosterone typically follows a diurnal rhythm, peaking in the morning. To capture the most accurate testosterone levels, morning testing, between 7 and 10am, is often recommended for men under the age of 45.
Health conditions like obesity, diabetes, and endocrine disorders can impact and impair testosterone production.
Certain medications such as antiandrogens and corticosteroids can alter testosterone production.
Sleep quality, diet, and stress management affect testosterone levels directly.
What do the results of the testosterone tests mean?
Testosterone test results include two key measurements: total testosterone and free testosterone.
Total testosterone includes both bound and unbound testosterone in your bloodstream. Somewhere around 70% of the testosterone in your blood binds to SHBG, while 20-30% attaches to albumin, making it bioavailable.
Free testosterone, making up 1-2% of total levels, is unbound and biologically active. It plays a role in important bodily functions like muscle growth, sex drive, and energy regulation.
It’s important to measure total testosterone and free testosterone.
Total testosterone gives an overall picture of hormone levels in your body. Free testosterone indicates the amount available for use by your body's tissues.
If you have symptoms of low testosterone (e.g., fatigue, low libido) but normal total testosterone, measuring free testosterone can help identify an underlying issue, especially if SHBG levels are elevated.
Lab reports often provide a reference range alongside your results. These ranges vary slightly between laboratories, so it's best to consult your healthcare provider for accurate interpretation of your results.
Low testosterone levels could point to:
- Age-related decline in testosterone levels
- Testicular disorders (primary hypogonadism)
- Pituitary or hypothalamus dysfunction (secondary hypogonadism)
- Obesity
- Chronic illnesses like diabetes or kidney disease
High testosterone levels might indicate:
- Testicular or adrenal tumors
- Pituitary disorders
- Anabolic steroid use
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
- Testosterone supplementation
When to test your testosterone levels
If you’re experiencing specific symptoms like erectile dysfunction, increased body fat, reduced sex drive, or depression, your doctor may suggest testosterone testing.
Finding out if you have low testosterone is an important step in working with a doctor to raise your levels, whether that’s going on TRT or making lifestyle changes to improve testosterone.
Follow-up testing is also important to see how your body responds to treatment and/or lifestyle changes. Most healthcare providers recommend retesting every 3 months during treatment.
Optimal testosterone levels vary significantly depending on who is testing and what your goals are. Some men report feeling their best at the lower end of the normal range, while others need higher levels for peak performance.
This individual variation, often overlooked in standard medical discussions, highlights why personalized assessment is crucial.
Symptoms of low testosterone
- Reduced sex drive
- Erectile dysfunction
- Decreased muscle mass
- Unusual weight gain
- Thinning body hair
- Bone density loss
- Low energy levels
- Mood changes
- Depression symptoms
- Difficulty concentrating
Signs of high testosterone
- Excessive body hair growth
- Acne outbreaks
- Elevated blood pressure
- Aggressive behavior patterns
What to do after testing testosterone levels?
Your healthcare provider will evaluate your test results as well as your medical history and current medication to determine appropriate next steps, such as testosterone replacement therapy.
Keep in mind that factors like age and sex affect what constitutes normal testosterone levels.
Your results will show the specific ranges used by your testing laboratory.
Abnormal results don't automatically indicate a medical condition. Medications, existing health conditions, or lab processing errors can affect test outcomes.
Check your testosterone levels with Maximus
While there’s several ways to test your testosterone levels, At-Home Testosterone Testing is the easiest, most convenient approach to testing your levels and taking the right steps to keep them in check.
At-home labs are also key for monitoring results of Oral TRT, Injectable TRT and other testosterone boosting systems.
Testosterone is a pillar of health. But you need to know it to grow it. The first step of any testosterone journey is testing.
