Testosterone Test

The testosterone test determines the amount of testosterone in the blood. When the testosterone levels are too high or too low, both men and women experience health issues.

Testosterone is a type of sex hormone that plays a vital role in both men and women. It controls sex drive, bone mass, muscle mass and sperm count in men. In women, the ovaries generate testosterone in small amounts to help with growth and maintenance. Testosterone is responsible for hormone balance and other bodily processes.

Male gonads produce large amounts of testosterone during puberty. Testosterone affects secondary sexual traits such as muscle development, beard, moustache, chest hair, voice deepening and increased genital size. In men, decreased levels of testosterone can lead to decreased libido.

The exact causes of testosterone elevation are still being studied. However, genetic diseases such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia, cancers of the adrenal, testicular and ovarian tumours cause a spike in testosterone values. Excessive use of testosterone supplements is one of the most common causes of high testosterone.

In women, high testosterone means increased masculine traits. In women, abnormal testosterone levels can be distressing. Excess testosterone in women causes hirsutism, acne, menstruation issues and infertility. Females may notice symptoms like loss of libido or mood changes as testosterone levels decline.

Low testosterone levels in men can cause partial or total hypogonadism. In hypogonadism, there may be changes in male secondary sexual characteristics and reproductive functions. In men, low testosterone levels create few or no symptoms.

Other Names of Testosterone Test

• Total Testosterone
• Bioavailable testosterone test
• Serum testosterone

What does the test measure, and who is this prescribed to?

The testosterone test measures the level of testosterone in the blood in both men and women.

In general, for adult men, a free-testosterone test is recommended if there are symptoms of low testosterone. In women, a testosterone test is recommended if there are symptoms of high testosterone levels.

The doctor recommends the testosterone test when an individual is suffering from a low sexual drive or suffering from symptoms of hormonal disturbance.

Some of the common symptoms of low testosterone range in men are:

• Low sexual drive
• Low libido
• Lack of masculine muscles
• Early ejaculation
• Erectile dysfunction
• Enlarged breasts
• Lack of energy
• Easy fatigue
• Trouble with concentration
• Hair loss
• Narrow shoulders
• In females, a testosterone test is used for the diagnosis of causes of infertility.

Some other symptoms of high testosterone in women are:

• Excess body and facial hair
• Voice like men
• Menstrual irregularities
• Delayed or absence of menses
• Excessive oily skin
• Recurrent acne
• Low sexual desire
• Dryness of vagina
• Painful coitus
• Hairfall
• Sweet cravings
• Enlarged clitoris
• Weight gain
• Issues in getting pregnant

Some disease conditions in which testosterone values are measured are:

• Infertility
• Hypogonadism
• Testicular failure
• Tumours of ovaries or testes
• Osteoporosis
• PCOS in women
• Tumour of the adrenal gland
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia

However, abnormal testosterone levels in the blood do not always indicate medical problems. As men grow older and exercise excessively, their testosterone levels begin to decrease.

The testosterone test needs a simple blood sample for evaluating testosterone levels.

Test Preparation

The testosterone test procedure is a simple blood test that doesn’t require fasting or any special preparation. But before the testosterone test procedure, make sure to inform the concerned doctor about your ongoing medicines.

Testosterone result values are high during the day. Hence, the doctors may suggest performing the test in the morning.

What are the parameters included in the test?

The testosterone test includes only one parameter. The testosterone test values give an idea about the decrease and increase in testosterone values.

Sexual disorders, PCOS, Infertility, Hypogonadism, Testicular cancer

The normal testosterone range depends on both gender and age.

Normal testosterone results in adult men are:

Normal testosterone results in adult women with a normal menstrual cycle is 0.198- 2.67 nmol/L.

The normal values, parameters, and reference ranges of the test may vary from lab to lab. Please refer to the ranges mentioned in the report and consult a doctor to understand the interpretation of lab reports.

Factors like exercise and old age affect testosterone levels in men. Test interpretation needs consideration of these variable factors. Various sexual dysfunctions are caused by increased or decreased amounts of testosterone in the blood. Abnormal levels of testosterone in males could be a sign to start making lifestyle changes.

Decreased level of testosterone means some underlying cause that is affecting testosterone levels.

• Hypogonadism

It is a condition in which there is decreased functional activity of the gonads leading to a decrease in hormone production like testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, etc.

• Testicular failure

Despite adequate hormones, the testicles fail to produce sperm in this disease. Testicular failure occurs due to increased luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels. In this disease, values are low in the testosterone chart.

• Testicular cancer

Testicular cancer strikes at an early age and is treatable. A low amount of testosterone is detected during the diagnosis and screening of testicular cancer. 

Increased testosterone levels mean tumours producing increased levels of testosterone.

• In young boys

Increased testosterone report values are seen in boys before puberty due to testicular or adrenal gland cancer. However, added investigations are required to determine the reason for elevated testosterone levels.

• In adult males

Excessive testosterone supplements are among the causes of increased values in testosterone reports of adult males.

Abnormal levels of testosterone in females are a sign of many diseases.

Decreased testosterone values could be due to:

• Primary or secondary ovarian failure

The ovaries stop functioning properly and stop releasing oestrogen or testosterone, resulting in a low testosterone level in the body.

Increased testosterone values could be due to:

• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAD)

CAD is a hereditary condition that affects the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands cause an increase in testosterone production. CAD results in ambiguous genitalia, enlarged clitoris or genitals that resemble a male infant.

• Prepubertal girls 

Girls go through a stage similar to males before puberty. The testosterone chart shows higher values in this period.

• Adrenal tumours

Adrenal tumours are benign tumours that grow on the adrenal glands. The tumour produces increased levels of testosterone. The adrenal tumours present with excessive facial hair, body hair and a larger clitoris.

• Ovarian tumours

The level of hormones secreted in the body can also be affected by ovarian cancer. Ovarian tumours result in an increase of testosterone in females.

• Polycystic ovarian syndrome

PCOS and hyperandrogenism are linked. One of the possible causes of polycystic ovarian syndrome is elevated androgens. PCOS presents with symptoms like hirsutism, acne, menstrual irregularities, insulin resistance and in many cases, obesity. In this condition, the testosterone report shows higher values.

How Frequently Should You Take a Testosterone Test?

In Males

Like most chronic diseases, low-level testosterone treatment takes time. As a result, the doctor will most likely repeat the test to read the testosterone values after three months to monitor the levels and keep an eye on the treatment strategy.

This three-month check-up will reveal whether the amount has increased, decreased or remained the same. The doctor repeats this test annually if the testosterone levels are in a normal range in the previous report but were erratic before.

In Females

In females, if the doctor suspects PCOS or increased testosterone, he/she may ask for a testosterone test. The test is repeated every three months to monitor levels of testosterone range after treatment.

What is normal testosterone by age?

The value of testosterone varies with age. Men and women have different testosterone chart values.

Testosterone normal range in men

Testosterone normal range in women