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Serum Testosterone Test – Indications, Procedures, Results

Last updated: February 8, 2026 Medically reviewed by: RxHarun Orthopedic Specialist Doctor Reading time: 12 min read

The serum testosterone test measures the amount of the male hormone, testosterone, in the blood. Both men and women produce this hormone. The test described measures the total amount of testosterone in the blood. Most doctors agree that a “normal” reading falls anywhere between 300 to 1,000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). About 40% of men over age 45 will have levels that come in below that range.

The test described in this article measures the total amount of testosterone in the blood. Much of the testosterone in the blood is bound to a protein called sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). Another blood test can measure free testosterone. However, this type of test is often not very accurate.

How the Test is Performed

A blood sample is taken from a vein. The best time for the blood sample to be taken is between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. A second sample is often needed to confirm a result that is lower than expected.

How to Prepare for the Test

The health care provider may advise you to stop taking medicines that may affect the test.

How the Test will Feel

You may feel a slight prick or sting when the needle is inserted. There may be some throbbing afterward.

Why the Test is Performed

This test may be done if you have symptoms of abnormal male hormone (androgen) production.

In males, the testicles produce most of the testosterone in the body. Levels are most often checked to evaluate signs of abnormal testosterone such as:

  • Early or late puberty (in boys)
  • Infertility, erectile dysfunction, low level of sexual interest, infertility, thinning of the bones (in men)

In females, the ovaries produce most of the testosterone. The adrenal glands can also produce too much of other androgens that are converted to testosterone. Levels are most often checked to evaluate signs of higher testosterone levels, such as:

  • Acne, oily skin
  • Change in voice
  • Decreased breast size
  • Excess hair growth (thick, dark hair in the area of the mustache, beard, sideburns, chest, buttocks, inner thighs)
  • Increased size of the clitoris
  • Irregular or absent menstrual periods
  • Male-pattern baldness or hair thinning

Normal Results

Normal measurements for these tests:

  • Male: 300 to 1,000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) or 10.41 to 34.70 nanomoles per liter (nmol/L)
  • Female: 15 to 70 ng/dL or 0.52 to 2.43 nmol/L

The examples above are common measurements for the results of these tests. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different specimens. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Certain health conditions, medicines, or injuries can lead to low testosterone. Testosterone level also naturally drops with age. Low testosterone can affect sex drive, mood, and the body in men.

Decreased total testosterone may be due to:

  • Chronic illness
  • The pituitary gland does not produce normal amounts of some or all of its hormones
  • Problem with areas of the brain that control hormones
  • Low thyroid function
  • Delayed puberty
  • Diseases of the testicles (trauma, cancer, infection, immune)
  • Benign tumors of the pituitary cells that produce too much of the hormone prolactin
  • Too much body fat (obesity)

Increased total testosterone level may be due to:

  • Resistance to the action of male hormones (androgen resistance)
  • Tumor of the ovaries
  • Cancer of the testes
  • Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
  • Taking medications or drugs that increase testosterone level

FAQ

What is testosterone serum in a blood test?

  • Serum testosterone. A testosterone test measures the amount of the male hormone, testosterone, in the blood. Both men and women produce this hormone. The test described in this article measures the total amount of testosterone in the blood.

What should my serum testosterone level be?

  • Most doctors agree that a “normal” reading falls anywhere between 300 to 1,000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). About 40% of men over age 45 will have levels that come in below that range.

What does it mean if your serum testosterone is high?

  • High testosterone in males and females can cause a variety of symptoms, including excessive facial and body hair, aggression, and infertility. In males, high testosterone is most frequently due to anabolic steroid use or testosterone supplementation.

What is the normal level of testosterone in a man?

  • Normal testosterone levels
  • According to recent guidelines from the American Urological Association (AUA), a testosterone level of at least 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) is normal for a man. A man with a testosterone level below 300 ng/dL should be diagnosed with low testosterone.

How do I know if my testosterone is low?

Specific Signs/Symptoms of Testosterone Deficiency (TD)
  • Reduced sex drive.
  • Reduced erectile function.
  • Loss of body hair.
  • Less beard growth.
  • Loss of lean muscle mass.
  • Feeling very tired all the time (fatigue)
  • Obesity (being overweight)
  • Symptoms of depression.

Why is a testosterone test done?

  • A testosterone levels test may be used to diagnose several conditions, including Decreased sex drive in men and women. Infertility in men and women. Erectile dysfunction in men.

What is normal testosterone by age?

What Are Normal Testosterone Levels in Men By Age?
  • Children: In the first couple of months, a male baby should produce 75-400 ng/dL.
  • Early Teens: Between 12 to 13 years old, a person should have 7-800 ng/dL.
  • Late Teens: Anyone between 17 to 18 years old should have testosterone levels between 300 and 1,200 ng/dL.

At what age does testosterone drop?

  • After age 30, most men begin to experience a gradual decline in testosterone. A decrease in sex drive sometimes accompanies a drop in testosterone, leading many men to mistakenly believe that their loss of interest in sex is simply due to getting older.

Which testosterone test is best?

A quick look at the best at-home testosterone kits
  • Best overall: LetsGetChecked.
  • Best medical support: EverlyWell.
  • Best for testing blood and saliva: myLAB Box.
  • Most affordable: Verisana.
  • Most detailed results: ZRT Labs.
  • Most personalized results: Cerascreen.

Is high testosterone good for males?

  • Better libido
  • Men with higher levels of testosterone usually have greater sexual activity. Older men need more testosterone for libido and erectile function. But it’s important to note that erectile dysfunction is often due to other conditions or medications rather than low testosterone levels.

Does exercise increase testosterone?

  • Exercise will boost testosterone, though certain types of exercise increase testosterone more than others, Exercise can raise testosterone because it promotes: Muscle building. The more muscle you have, the higher your testosterone levels.

How can I boost my testosterone fast?

Here are 8 evidence-based ways to increase testosterone levels naturally.
  • Exercise and Lift Weights.
  • Eat Protein, Fat, and Carbs.
  • Minimize Stress and Cortisol Levels.
  • Get Some Sun or Take a Vitamin D Supplement.
  • Take Vitamin and Mineral Supplements.
  • Get Plenty of Restful, High-Quality Sleep.

What foods build testosterone?

Top 8 testosterone-boosting foods
  • Ginger. Share on Pinterest Ginger may help increase testosterone levels and improve male fertility. …
  • Oysters.
  • Pomegranates.
  • Fortified plant kinds of milk.
  • Leafy green vegetables.
  • Fatty fish and fish oil.
  • Extra-virgin olive oil.
  • Onions.

What causes low testosterone in men?

  • Inflammatory disease. Certain inflammatory diseases, such as sarcoidosis, histiocytosis, and tuberculosis, involve the hypothalamus and pituitary gland and can affect testosterone production. HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS can cause low levels of testosterone by affecting the hypothalamus, the pituitary, and the testes.

What age does a man’s testosterone peak?

  •  A normal male testosterone level peaks at about age 20, and then it slowly declines. Testosterone levels above or below the normal range are considered by many to be out of balance. Moreover, some researchers suggest that the healthiest men have testosterone levels between 400-600 ng/dL.

What is the cost of a testosterone test?

  • The cost of a testosterone test depends on a number of factors—like whether you’re getting tested at a clinic or at home. If you get tested at a clinic or lab, prices can range from about $80 to several hundred dollars. The EverlyWell at-home Testosterone Test is $49—including shipping.

How do you fix low testosterone?

The best way to improve testosterone levels is by adopting some lifestyle habits that can improve overall health and well-being.
  • Getting enough sleep.
  • Maintain a balanced diet.
  • Lose weight.
  • Stay active.
  • Stress reduction.
  • Vitamins and supplements.
  • Review medications.
  • Avoid drugs and alcohol abuse.

What is the testosterone test called?

  • An SHBG test is most often used to find out how much testosterone is going to the body’s tissues. Testosterone levels can be measured in a separate test called total testosterone. This test shows how much testosterone is in the body, but not how much is being used by the body.

What causes high testosterone in men?

  • In fact, most of what we know about abnormally high testosterone levels in men comes from athletes who use anabolic steroids, testosterone, or related hormones to increase muscle mass and athletic performance.

Is 400 a low testosterone level?

  • Anything under 300 ng/dL is considered low T, but we caution that these numbers are just jumping-off points. For example, if you normally have testosterone levels that range between 800 and 900 ng/dL, a dip to 400 ng/dL will likely come with noticeable side effects as your body adjusts.

What part of a man’s body produces testosterone?

  • Testosterone is produced by the gonads (by the Leydig cells in testes in men and by the ovaries in women), although small quantities are also produced by the adrenal glands in both sexes.

Are testosterone pills good?

  • A 2015 study by the US FDA found that there are no true quantifiable benefits of taking testosterone supplements. Besides, these supplements contain B vitamins and zinc, which naturally improve energy levels in men, while possibly improving the natural availability of testosterone in the blood.

What happens if free testosterone is too high?

  • Elevated testosterone will raise your “bad” cholesterol levels, and can thus lead to heart health issues – potentially resulting in a heart attack, cardiovascular disease, or stroke. The risk of sleep apnea and infertility is also heightened if you have high testosterone levels.

Can testosterone cream Increase Size?

  • Topical testosterone cream used in childhood can increase penile size by accelerating the effects of puberty, but there is no proof that testosterone cream applied to the adult penis enhances penile size.

What food kills testosterone levels?

People worried about their testosterone levels might choose to avoid the following foods.
  • Soy products. Soy foods, such as tofu, edamame, and soy protein isolates, contain phytoestrogens. …
  • Dairy products.
  • Alcohol.
  • Mint.
  • Bread, pastries, and desserts.
  • Licorice root.
  • Certain fats.

Can you raise testosterone naturally?

  • Aside from making healthy lifestyle choices and addressing medication side effects or untreated medical conditions, there’s little you can do to naturally boost your testosterone level. Testosterone levels vary greatly among men. In general, however, older men tend to have lower testosterone levels than do younger men.

Does low testosterone cause balding?

  • Hair loss. Hair loss commonly stems from low levels of testosterone. While hair loss can be due to aging, low levels of testosterone can also play a part. You might notice bald spots you hadn’t had before or an increase in thinning hair in multiple areas of your body.

What time of day is a man’s testosterone highest?

  • Complicating matters, testosterone levels fluctuate, peaking around 8 a.m. and diminishing throughout the day. Levels tend to be lowest around 8 in the evening, then climb during the night. The peaks and valleys are larger for men 40 and younger compared to men in their 70s.

When should I take the testosterone test?

  • The best time for the blood sample to be taken is between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. A second sample is often needed to confirm a result that is lower than expected.

What are the signs of high testosterone?

Signs of high testosterone in males
  • acne.
  • aggressive or risk-taking behaviors.
  • excessive body hair.
  • headaches.
  • heart or liver problems.
  • high blood pressure (hypertension)
  • high sex drive (libido)
  • increased appetite.

What is the average free testosterone level by age?

  • Normal total testosterone results in adult men: Ages 19 to 49 — 249 – 836 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) Ages 50 and older — 193 – 740 ng/dL.

Should I test free or total testosterone?

  • According to some research, free T levels are a better predictor of testosterone deficiency symptoms than levels of total T are. What’s more, low levels of total T don’t necessarily point to a testosterone-related health issue, since this might be simply a “side effect” of something else going on in your body.

Is testosterone gel safer than injections?

  • Testosterone injections are associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events when compared to patches and gels, according to a May report in JAMA Internal Medicine.

How can I increase my testosterone in 24 hours?

How to boost your testosterone in 24 hours
  1. Stock up on fats. This one’s easy. Just eat more good fats.
  2. HIIT up a new cardio workout. Instead of sticking with steady-state cardio – that bi-weekly plod around the park, for example – focus your attention on becoming a HIIT wonderkid.
  3. Get out there.

Does exercise increase testosterone?

  • Exercise will boost testosterone, though certain types of exercise increase testosterone more than others, says Richard Jadick, D.O., a Piedmont urologist. Exercise can raise testosterone because it promotes: Muscle building. The more muscle you have, the higher your testosterone levels.

How do I know if my testosterone is low?

Specific Signs/Symptoms of Testosterone Deficiency (TD)
  • Reduced sex drive.
  • Reduced erectile function.
  • Loss of body hair.
  • Less beard growth.
  • Loss of lean muscle mass.
  • Feeling very tired all the time (fatigue)
  • Obesity (being overweight)
  • Symptoms of depression.

What if testosterone is high in male?

  • Problems associated with abnormally high testosterone levels in men include: Low sperm counts, shrinking of the testicles, and impotence (seems odd, doesn’t it?) Heart muscle damage and increased risk of a heart attack. Prostate enlargement with difficulty urinating.

What is the main cause of low testosterone?

  • Injury (trauma, interrupted blood supply to the testes) or infection of the testes (orchitis) Chemotherapy for cancer. Metabolic disorders such as hemochromatosis (too much iron in the body) Dysfunction or tumors of the pituitary gland.

What are 5 foods that boost testosterone?

5 Foods to Boost Low T
  • Fish. Tuna, salmon, and sardines are all high in Vitamin D. …
  • Shellfish. While deep-water fish increase the level of Vitamin D in your body, shellfish increase the level of zinc. …
  • Beans.
  • Low-fat milk with Vitamin D added.
  • Fortified Cereals.

What foods build testosterone?

Top 8 testosterone-boosting foods
  • Ginger. Share on Pinterest Ginger may help increase testosterone levels and improve male fertility. …
  • Oysters.
  • Pomegranates.
  • Fortified plant milk.
  • Leafy green vegetables.
  • Fatty fish and fish oil.
  • Extra-virgin olive oil.
  • Onions.

How do you fix low testosterone?

The best way to improve testosterone levels is by adopting some lifestyle habits that can improve overall health and well-being.
  • Getting enough sleep.
  • Maintain a balanced diet.
  • Lose weight.
  • Stay active.
  • Stress reduction.
  • Vitamins and supplements.
  • Review medications.
  • Avoid drugs and alcohol abuse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this article a replacement for a doctor?

No. It is educational content only. Patients should consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment.

When should I seek urgent care?

Seek urgent care for severe symptoms, rapidly worsening condition, breathing difficulty, severe pain, neurological changes, or any emergency warning sign.

References

Add references, clinical guidelines, textbooks, journal articles, or trusted medical sources here. You can edit this area later with a custom field named _rx_references.

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Written by Dr. Harun Ar Rashid, MD - Arthritis, Bones, Joints Pain, Trauma, and Internal Medicine Specialist

Dr. Md. Harun Ar Rashid, MPH, MD, PhD, is a highly respected medical specialist celebrated for his exceptional clinical expertise and unwavering commitment to patient care. With advanced qualifications including MPH, MD, and PhD, he integrates cutting-edge research with a compassionate approach to medicine, ensuring that every patient receives personalized and effective treatment. His extensive training and hands-on experience enable him to diagnose complex conditions accurately and develop innovative treatment strategies tailored to individual needs. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Harun Ar Rashid is dedicated to medical education and research, writing and inventory creative thinking, innovative idea, critical care managementing make in his community to outreach, often participating in initiatives that promote health awareness and advance medical knowledge. His career is a testament to the high standards represented by his credentials, and he continues to contribute significantly to his field, driving improvements in both patient outcomes and healthcare practices. Born and educated in Bangladesh, Dr. Rashid earned his BPT from the University of Dhaka before pursuing postgraduate training internationally. He completed his MD in Internal Medicine at King’s College London, where he developed a special interest in inflammatory arthritis and metabolic bone disease. He then undertook a PhD in Orthopedic Science at the University of Oxford, conducting pioneering research on cytokine signaling pathways in rheumatoid arthritis. Following his doctoral studies, Dr. Rashid returned to clinical work with a fellowship in interventional pain management at the Rx University School of Medicine, refining his skills in image-guided joint injections and minimally invasive pain-relief techniques.