Normal Level Of Testosterone In Men

Normal Level Of Testosterone In Men

What Is a Normal Testosterone Level for Men?

A normal testosterone level for men is typically 300–1,000 ng/dL (10–35 nmol/L), depending on age and health. Levels peak in early adulthood and decline about 1% per year after age 30. Doctors assess both lab values and symptoms before diagnosing low testosterone.

Testosterone is a hormone made primarily in a man’s testicles. It helps control many things in the body, like sex drive, muscles, bones, mood, and energy. Boys start making more testosterone during puberty, which is why their voices deepen and they grow more body hair and muscles.

Knowing what a normal testosterone level looks like is essential. If your level is too low, you might feel tired all the time, have a lower sex drive, lose muscle, or feel down. If your level is too high, it could also cause problems, though this is less common in men.

In this blog, we will look at what normal testosterone levels are for men, how doctors test for it, how it changes with age, and what can cause it to go too low or too high. We will also discuss treatment options and natural ways to maintain healthy levels.

You will also find links to trustworthy studies and health websites so that you can learn more from reliable sources.

What Are Normal Male Testosterone Levels? Exploring Standards

More and more men are facing a problem where their body's testosterone, an important hormone, is not as high as it should be. In the past 20 years, men's testosterone levels have gone down by 20%, and even younger guys are feeling the harmful effects of not having enough of it. You can see more people dealing with this issue nowadays.

Many might not realise what's wrong and feel down or anxious, struggling daily. I've been through this myself.

So, what's causing this problem, and why aren't more people discussing it as a serious concern?

Normal Testosterone Levels In Men

It corresponds to around 9.36 - 37.10 nmol/L in EU units.

More men are getting help for this problem, but not as many as you'd think, considering how common it is for men's hormone levels to be lower these days.

There are a lot of reasons why men might have less of this critical hormone, like being overweight or being around certain chemicals. However, doctors still struggle to determine when to diagnose someone with this issue and how to assist them effectively.

This could be because doctors don't know enough about it, people feel embarrassed to talk about it, or the tests that check hormone levels might not always be proper.

We will discuss what's considered normal for men's hormone levels, look back at how these standards developed, and how they're measured. We'll explain why just looking at these numbers might only tell part of the story about someone's hormone health.

It's essential to remember that a single number doesn't tell the whole story. We must consider other factors that can affect how hormones function.

What Is Testosterone? Understanding The Basics

Testosterone is a special kind of body chemical, made mainly by the testicles in men and a little bit by women, too. It's known as a sex hormone because it helps develop male features and behaviours.

This hormone affects the entire body, influencing our appearance, thoughts, actions, and even our ability to have children.

It's essential for men's health and happiness. Sadly, it often gets a bad reputation because some people misuse similar substances to try to get stronger or look more muscular.

How Testosterone Levels Are Measured

Doctors usually check testosterone levels with a blood test. This test measures the amount of testosterone in your blood. There are a few different ways to measure it:

Total Testosterone

This is the most common test. It shows the full amount of testosterone in your blood. Some of this testosterone is free and active, while the rest is bound to proteins, such as SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin).

Free Testosterone

This is the part of testosterone that is not attached to anything. It moves freely in your blood and is the part your body can utilise immediately.

Bioavailable Testosterone

This includes free testosterone and another form that is loosely attached to a protein called albumin. Like free testosterone, this type is readily utilised by the body.

Doctors usually test for total testosterone first. If the number is low or unclear, they might check free or bioavailable testosterone as well.

When Should You Get Tested?

Testosterone levels change throughout the day. They are usually highest in the morning, so doctors recommend having the test done between 7 and 10 am. You should also get tested more than once, on different days, to make sure the results are accurate.

Normal Testosterone Levels by Age

Sometimes, a man’s body doesn’t make enough testosterone. This is called low testosterone or hypogonadism. It can happen at any age, but is more common as men get older.

What Counts as Low?

Doctors usually say testosterone is low if:

• Your level is below 300 ng/dL (about 10 nmol/L), and
  
  
• You have symptoms that make you feel unwell
  
  

A blood test is needed to check your level. You should have the test early in the morning and repeat it to ensure the result is correct.

Signs of Low Testosterone

Low testosterone can make you feel different in many ways. Some of the common signs are:

• Feeling tired all the time
  
  
• Low sex drive
  
  
• Trouble getting or keeping an erection
  
  
• Mood changes or feeling sad
  
  
• Losing muscle or getting weaker
  
  
• Gaining body fat
  
  
• Thinner bones (which can lead to fractures)
  
  

Some men also have trouble sleeping or struggle to focus and think clearly.

Normal Testosterone Levels in Men by Age

Why It Matters

Low testosterone can affect your health and daily life. A recent study found that very low levels of testosterone (below 213 ng/dL) might raise the risk of dying early, especially in older men.
You can read more about that in this Business Insider article.

If you think you have low testosterone, speak to your doctor. A proper check-up and blood test can help determine the cause.

What Causes Low or High Testosterone

Testosterone levels can fluctuate for various reasons. Some changes are regular, such as ageing. Health problems, medications, or lifestyle choices may cause others.

Causes of Low Testosterone

Here are some of the most common reasons why testosterone levels can drop:

• Ageing – Testosterone naturally goes down after age 30
  
  
• Being overweight – Extra body fat can lower testosterone
  
  
• Long-term illness – Conditions like diabetes or kidney disease can affect hormone levels
  
  
• Injury or illness of the testicles – If the testicles are damaged or not working properly
  
  
• Stress and poor sleep – Long-term stress or not getting enough rest
  
  
• Certain medicines – Like steroids or strong painkillers
  
  
• Too much alcohol – Heavy drinking over time
  
  
• Not enough exercise – Being inactive can lower hormone levels
  
  

Some studies have also shown that a very low-fat diet might reduce testosterone. You can read about that in this research paper on arXiv.

Causes of High Testosterone (Rare in Men)

High testosterone is much less common in men. But it can happen from:

• Using steroids or testosterone boosters without a doctor’s advice
  
  
• Certain tumours – Rare growths in the body can cause extra testosterone
  
  
• Genetic conditions – Some people are born with body changes that affect hormones

In women, high testosterone is more common and may be caused by a condition called PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome).

If your testosterone level is too high or too low, a doctor can help you figure out the cause and what to do next.

Is There A Problem Here?

When we look at testosterone levels, we know they tend to decrease as men get older, starting from around age 30. So, comparing the testosterone levels of a 20-year-old with those of an 80-year-old doesn't make sense. The problem is the "normal" ranges that labs use to say if testosterone levels are okay or not aren't based on when men start showing symptoms. Instead, they take a big group of men's results, ignore the top and bottom 5%, and call the middle 95% normal.

This method can mean that some men might have lower testosterone than is healthy or good for them but still be told they're within the "normal" range. This leads to a lot of men not getting the help they need because doctors think their levels are acceptable based on these lab ranges.

We've heard stories like one of our friends who was told he couldn't have low testosterone because he could grow a beard, even though his level was 10nmol/l, which is on the lower side. He got treatment from a specialist, and it's helped him. Another friend was dismissed because he was muscular despite having symptoms of low testosterone. This shows there's a lot of misunderstanding about low testosterone and how it affects men.

Mostly, doctors might give men antidepressants instead of looking into testosterone treatment, which can make the problem worse by lowering testosterone levels even more. Plus, different labs have different ideas about what's considered "low" testosterone, so where you get tested can affect whether you get treatment.

It's clear there's a lot of confusion and disagreement about how to handle low testosterone, and it's causing problems for men who could benefit from the proper treatment.

Comparing Normal Testosterone Levels

Testosterone levels can vary depending on the location and the guidelines used. In the EU, for instance, the range can be between 6.9 and 27 nmol/L, while it can range from 10 to 41 nmol/L in other regions. The British Society of Sexual Medicine (BSSM) suggests that if your total testosterone is below 12 nmol/l or your free testosterone is below 0.225 nmol/l, you might benefit from testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). They also advise considering TRT for men with high levels of LH (luteinising hormone), which stimulates testosterone production.

In some parts of the US, doctors might recommend TRT based on symptoms alone, regardless of testosterone levels. However, this approach carries risks, especially with higher doses commonly used in US clinics. Some studies indicate that symptoms like low mood and energy can be present in men with testosterone levels below 15 nmol/l. But even at this level, not all men may benefit from TRT. New evidence suggests that TRT can help men with testosterone levels up to 14 nmol/l if they have prediabetes.

Despite being a better indicator, there's limited evidence on how symptoms relate to free testosterone levels. Also, considering levels of SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin) is crucial when assessing symptoms, although this is often overlooked.

Why Are These Values Not A Good Indicator Of Testosterone Deficiency?

Changes can influence total testosterone levels in SHBG (a protein that carries testosterone in the blood), which can occur due to being overweight, ageing, having diabetes, thyroid problems, acromegaly (a hormone disorder), or taking certain medications.

The Endocrine Society advises against only using total testosterone levels for assessment because they might not give the whole picture significantly since conditions like obesity or medications can change how much testosterone is available for the body to use. Tests that measure the free or bioavailable testosterone (the testosterone that's not bound to proteins and can be used by the body) are more accurate. Still, doctors don't use them as commonly because they're more expensive, more challenging to get, and not as widely known. The Endocrine Society suggests these tests should be done in specialised labs for reliable results.

Free And Bioavailable Testosterone

Only a tiny part of the testosterone in our blood is "free," meaning it's not attached to anything else. There's also a kind called "bioavailable testosterone," which includes the free kind plus some that's lightly attached to a protein called albumin. This type is also easy for our bodies to use.

Doctors check for "free" or "bioavailable" testosterone levels when the total amount in the blood is low or if they think there's something off with a protein called SHBG. This is especially important for older people or those with weight issues, diabetes, ongoing illnesses, or thyroid problems.

So, just looking at the total testosterone doesn't give the whole picture, especially since problems with SHBG are pretty standard, particularly in older individuals or those with long-term health issues. That's why, if someone has symptoms, doctors also check the free testosterone levels.

Frequently Asked Questions about Normal Level of Testosterone In Men

What is a normal testosterone level for men?

A normal testosterone level for men is usually between 300 to 1,000 ng/dL. Levels can vary depending on age, health, and the laboratory conducting the test. Doctors look at both your numbers and symptoms before making a diagnosis.

How do I know if my testosterone levels are low?

Low testosterone levels in men can cause tiredness, low sex drive, mood changes, and weaker muscles. A blood test is the only way to know for sure. It’s best done in the morning and more than once.

At what age do testosterone levels start to drop?

Testosterone levels in men begin to decline gradually after the age of 30. This drop is about 1 per cent each year and is a natural part of ageing. Some men notice symptoms, while others feel no change.

Can low testosterone levels affect mental health?

Yes, low testosterone in men can affect mood and mental health. It may cause feelings of sadness, stress, or difficulty focusing. Some men also feel more anxious or less motivated than usual.

What causes low testosterone in 

Low testosterone can be caused by ageing, obesity, long-term illness, stress, poor sleep, and some medicines. Health issues like diabetes or testicle injury can also lead to low T levels.

Can you increase testosterone naturally?

Yes, there are ways to raise testosterone levels naturally in men. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, stress reduction, and adequate sleep can all help boost hormone levels naturally, without the need for medication.

What is testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)?

TRT is a treatment for men with very low testosterone levels and apparent symptoms. It gives the body extra testosterone through gels, injections, or other methods. TRT should only be used under the care of a doctor.

Is low testosterone in men dangerous?

Low testosterone levels can have a significant impact on your overall health over time. It may lead to weaker bones, weight gain, heart problems, or low mood. A study found that very low levels might increase the risk of early death in men.

Our Journey Is Far From Over.

The main takeaway is that understanding testosterone levels and their effects on men is complex and still evolving. Here's why:

Individual Differences: A man who had high testosterone levels in his youth may experience significant symptoms if his levels drop to the lower end of the "normal" range, yet he might be told his levels are acceptable based on standard lab ranges.

Age and Symptoms Matter: A young man with the same testosterone level as an older man with low testosterone might feel extremely tired and depressed, but lab ranges might still consider him "normal." This could lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment, such as being prescribed antidepressants for symptoms that stem from low testosterone.

Need for Comprehensive Testing: Doctors should assess low testosterone by combining total and free testosterone levels and a patient's symptoms. This approach is more personalised and can help avoid misdiagnosis.

Research and Lab Ranges: Further research is needed to determine the symptomatic male testosterone ranges. Labs should update their "normal" ranges based on the latest research, rather than relying solely on statistical averages from population studies.

If you need assistance, please don't hesitate to contact Androgenix. Our team is dedicated to providing support and guidance regarding testosterone-related concerns. Contact us for expert advice and personalised solutions tailored to your needs.