Normal Testosterone Levels by Age
Testosterone is a hormone produced by both men and women. It plays a particularly important role in men, where it promotes muscle mass development, affects sex drive, and regulates sperm production. This hormone also influences behaviors like competitiveness and aggression.
Testosterone level tends to decline as a person gets older. What are the normal testosterone levels by age for men? Read on for details.
Understanding Testosterone Levels
Testosterone is present in the womb and essential to normal fetal development, including the development of the male reproductive system.
After birth, the testosterone level in boys and men changes throughout life. At any point, there’s a range that doctors consider normal. They measure testosterone using a blood test, with results provided in nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL).
Normal testosterone level in children
Male babies who are a few months old should have a testosterone level between 75 and 400 ng/dL. At age 10, the normal range is 7 to 130 ng/dL.
Normal testosterone level in early teens
Boys 12 or 13 years old should have a testosterone level of 7 to 800 ng/dL. By the time they reach 15 to 16 years old, teen boys typically have a testosterone level of 100 to 1,200 ng/dL.
Normal testosterone level in late teens
Testosterone levels peak in the late teens. Doctors consider 300 to 1,000 ng/dL the normal range.
Testosterone level in adults 19+ years old
At 19 or older, men should have a testosterone level of 300 to 1,000 ng/dL.
Testosterone levels tend to decline by approximately 1% per year after age 30. And it’s important to note that there’s debate about what constitutes low testosterone or “low T.” Many providers aren’t alarmed by a reading somewhat below the “normal” range, especially in middle-aged and older men, if the person isn’t experiencing symptoms they want to address.
- Decreased sex drive
- Decreased frequency and quality of erections
- Reduced overall muscle mass
- Decreased strength
- Low bone density
- Fatigue or low energy
- Frequently feeling depressed
Women and Testosterone Levels
While testosterone is the primary male hormone, women’s bodies also need the right amount of optimal health. As a woman enters menopause, her estrogen level drops, affecting her estrogen-testosterone balance.
High testosterone levels or imbalance can cause:
Low testosterone levels can cause decreased sex drive and weak bones.
Talk With Your Baptist Health Doctor About Testosterone
Contact your primary care physician if you think you may have low T and want to address it. They can talk with you about natural ways to increase testosterone like exercise. They can also explain testosterone replacement therapy. And if appropriate, they can refer you to a specialist called a urologist.
If you don’t have a Baptist Health doctor, you can find one using our online provider directory.
Next Steps and Useful Resources