Normal Testosterone Levels and Symptoms of an Imbalance

Testosterone Test: Free & SHBG, High vs Low vs. Normal Levels

It’s important to note that the interpretation of testosterone level results should be done by a healthcare professional. They can help determine the underlying cause of abnormal testosterone levels and provide guidance on potential treatment options. Getting tested for testosterone levels can help you understand the hormone levels in your body and identify any potential issues that may be affecting your overall health and well-being. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional who can interpret the test results and provide appropriate guidance and treatment options. Abnormal testosterone levels can affect overall health, mood, and physical capabilities when left unaddressed.

Identifying symptoms of low testosterone in men over 40 through a serum testosterone test can help differentiate between normal aging and a medical condition that requires intervention. Research shows that men who exercise regularly have higher T than those who don’t (10). In particular, resistance training, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and walking have been shown to positively affect testosterone levels. Just like it can be too low, your testosterone can also be too high, and that’s equally problematic (8). When your testosterone levels are getting into the 1,000 up to the 1,500 ng/dL range—and staying up there—that’s too high, says McDevitt. I gave you the hormones to become an adult and to reproduce’ and they start to slow down,” says McDevitt. Some research has shown that certain lifestyle habits may help boost testosterone levels.

And plenty of other things can sabotage libido, including painful sex, medications, stress, insomnia, illness, and the monotony of monogamy. All this means that while it could be worth trying supplementation if your sex drive isn’t what you’d like it to be, increasing testosterone levels is not a quick, universal fix. Testosterone is a crucial hormone that plays a significant role in various bodily functions, including the development of male reproductive tissues, muscle mass, and even mood regulation. As such, determining testosterone levels is an essential part of diagnosing and treating conditions such as hypogonadism and infertility, among others. They can also provide more information about an individual’s overall hormone balance and help guide treatment decisions.

Your erections are driven by testosterone, which is why impaired production of this hormone affects erectile function at the same time. Studies show that androgens play a vital role in erectile function because the period when the prevalence of erectile dysfunction increases strongly correlates with a decrease in testosterone levels. Lower levels of this hormone reduce the frequency, amplitude, and rigidity of your erections. At this time there are no age-specific testosterone reference ranges for males or females. But there are ranges over a lifetime by which testosterone levels are measured and compared at any age. If you took an at-home testosterone level test and your results showed levels outside the standard range, it may be worthwhile to make an appointment to see a doctor to discuss the results.

A testosterone test can help reveal whether any unusual symptoms, such as hair loss or excess body hair growth, mood changes, or changes in sexual desire, are related to high or low testosterone level. It may also reveal whether underlying conditions, health issues, aging, or lifestyle choices are affecting your testosterone production. If you have a hard time with needles or blood samples, a saliva test may be an alternative. However, several studies have confirmed that saliva offers only a relatively accurate measurement of testosterone levels. As such, supplemental tests, such as serum testing, are necessary to ensure that salivary test results are accurate.

These hormones play a role in the production and regulation of testosterone, and abnormalities in their levels may indicate an underlying issue. Interpretation of testosterone levels can vary depending on age and other individual factors. In general, for adult men, a total testosterone level below 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) is considered low. However, symptoms of low testosterone, such as decreased libido, fatigue, and mood changes, should also be taken into consideration when interpreting test results. If the results show low testosterone levels, it may indicate a condition called hypogonadism. This condition can have various causes, including testicular damage, hormonal imbalances, or congenital syndromes. Low testosterone levels can lead to symptoms like decreased libido, fatigue, depression, and reduced muscle mass.

Mood changes, such as irritability, depression, or a decrease in motivation, may also indicate low testosterone levels. Testosterone affects brain function and plays a role in mood regulation, so individuals with low testosterone levels may experience changes in their emotional well-being. If someone is experiencing persistent mood changes that are affecting their quality of life, it may be worth getting their testosterone levels checked. In addition to blood tests, saliva tests and urine tests are other methods used to measure testosterone levels. Saliva tests are a non-invasive alternative to blood tests and involve collecting saliva samples for analysis.

Additionally, your doctor might want to test your SHBG-bound testosterone and your bioavailable T (that’s your free and albumin-bound testosterone). That’s because sometimes your total T can be in the healthy range, but one of these subcategories can be low, which would explain your symptoms but change your treatment, Dr. Jayadevan says. Testosterone levels begin to decline when you reach your mid-thirties, and drop further as you age. Changes in mood, energy levels, or cognition might signal low testosterone levels. In addition to these, having too-high testosterone 400 level (missioncrossfitsa.com) levels put you at risk for health conditions including cancer, cardiac complications, and irritability (9).

Basically, the higher the testosterone levels, the easier it for you is to achieve and maintain erections. A good way to test testosterone levels is to monitor your erections and keep track of their frequency and quality. Don’t shy away from keeping track of the erections in a notebook or phone notes.