When to Consider a Testosterone Test
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Whether you’re male or female, you may experience changes in your body such as body hair growth, strength, and sex drive that point to a shift in testosterone levels. Here are other signs and steps to take.
Language matters
In this article, we use “male and female” to refer to someone’s sex as determined by their chromosomes and “men and women” when referring to their gender (unless quoting from sources using nonspecific language).
Chromosomes determine sex, and gender is a social construct that can vary between time periods and cultures. Both of these aspects are acknowledged to exist on a spectrum both historically and by modern scientific consensus.
The hormone testosterone (T) is often associated with masculinity, but the female body can also make testosterone. Yet too little or too much testosterone in men or women can indicate severe health problems.
Testosterone is the hormone responsible for traits such as:
In males, the testicles make testosterone. In females, the ovaries produce the hormone.
Males with low testosterone levels might notice a reduction in these traits, while females with too much testosterone might notice an increase in these traits.
You may even want to take a testosterone level test if you believe your testosterone levels are not within the standard range. What’s more, testosterone helps males make sperm, so they may wonder about their testosterone levels if they and a partner are having trouble conceiving.
Most testosterone is attached to proteins in the blood, but some float freely. That means two types of testosterone can be measured:
- Total testosterone: a measure of testosterone that is both attached to proteins and free
- Free testosterone: testosterone that is not attached to proteins; can be specifically measured when ruling out certain medical conditions
A standard range for testosterone level in males is about 300 to 800 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). For females, it’s between 15 and 70 ng/dL. Still, testosterone levels can change throughout your life.
Testosterone levels can decrease naturally due to your age or other health conditions.
After age 30, a male’s testosterone levels on average decrease 1% per year but can even go up to 2% per year. Some symptoms of low testosterone, particularly erectile dysfunction, are commonly seen in men over age 30. Low testosterone levels have often been observed in people with obesity, no matter their age.
The most common testosterone-related problem in males is hypogonadism, also called low testosterone. To be diagnosed with hypogonadism, a person must not have only low testosterone levels but also experience symptoms of low testosterone.
Low testosterone symptoms
Your testosterone level may be abnormally low if you have one or more of the following symptoms:
High testosterone symptoms in females
Females with too much testosterone may grow facial hair, develop a deeper voice, or experience decreased breast size. Too much testosterone in females can also cause acne.
One possible cause of too much testosterone in females is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS can make it difficult to get pregnant and interfere with menstruation.
Abnormally high or low testosterone levels in males and females can indicate other serious conditions.
High T levels can indicate ovarian or testicular cancer. Low T levels can indicate chronic illness or a problem with the pituitary gland, which releases hormones.
In infant males and females, signs of abnormal testosterone levels may be more extreme. Testosterone tests are often ordered for young males and females who are not developing properly or when parents notice delayed puberty.
Young males with low T may grow slowly, with no body hair and poorly developed muscles. When they have high T, they may enter puberty early and robustly. Young females with high T may have delayed menstruation or too much body hair.
Getting testosterone levels checked usually requires a blood test. The test is usually performed in the morning when T levels are highest. Sometimes, the test needs to be retaken to confirm the measurements.
Before the test, your doctor may ask you to stop taking any prescriptions that could affect your testosterone levels. Some medications that can artificially increase your testosterone levels include:
Some medications, including opiates, can also decrease your testosterone levels. If you’re taking any of the medications above, tell your doctor. They’ll ensure that your testosterone test results are accurate.
If your test results are low, you can talk with a doctor to confirm the results. They can discuss how to best address your testosterone levels.
Even if your T levels are within range, but you are experiencing symptoms, it is still worth talking with your doctor because it might indicate an underlying issue. In this case, your doctor will want to perform a physical genitourinary exam to also rule out any other potential causes.
Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may also perform a physical examination. If you’re male, your doctor may perform a physical if they notice:
- a loss of facial hair
- a loss of height
- signs of gynecomastia, an abnormal increase in breast tissue size
- abnormal weight gain
If you’re female, your doctor may perform a physical if they notice: