It’s normal for testosterone levels to decrease with age or with the use of certain medications like corticosteroids or opiate pain medication. Aging, obesity, taking certain medications and other health conditions like liver and kidney disease, sleep disorders, type 2 diabetes, and HIV can contribute to lower testosterone levels.² Low testosterone levels can lead to a variety of symptoms that can vary from person to person. This test reports total testosterone levels up to 1500 ng/dL. In most cases, men need to have both low levels of testosterone in their blood and several symptoms of low testosterone to go on therapy. Doctors diagnose low testosterone based on a physical exam, a review of symptoms, and the results of multiple blood tests since levels can fluctuate daily. Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. Sign up for HEALTHBeat and receive trusted health information delivered right to your inbox. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. If your doctor can identify the source for declining levels—for instance, weight gain or a particular medication—he or she may first address that problem. Prostate cancer is another concern, as testosterone can fuel its growth. Testosterone levels fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle, but it remains important throughout life. As you age, your testosterone level gradually declines — typically about 1% a year after age 30 or 40. You have the ability to discuss your results with an independent healthcare provider at no extra cost; however, you are also encouraged to speak with your primary healthcare provider. Independent healthcare providers review your test results and you will be contacted if they require prompt attention. If in-home service is available in your area, purchase for anadditional $79 fee. Testosterone affects many aspects of your health, from sexual function to disease risk. Improve your speed with interval training, strength training and consistent, healthy habits While it may be no big deal, underlying conditions that need treatment can also cause cold extremities "Testosterone treatment can be an option if you have low libido, but it’s not your only option. It’s important to weigh other factors — such as environmental, medical and social causes — before considering medication. If your sex drive has slowed to the point where it’s bringing you emotional distress, Dr. Crawford recommends talking to a healthcare provider about options. It is to stay within the physiologic range for women while assessing whether the symptom that justified therapy is actually improving. The question of women's TRT target levels is even more delicate. In healthy nonobese men aged 19 to 39, harmonized reference work identified an approximate normal range of 264 to 916 ng/dL, with a median near 531 ng/dL. These steps help ensure that TRT management remains aligned with medical safety and military readiness standards while protecting career progression and mission capability. Service members considering or currently on TRT should take deliberate steps to align treatment with military requirements. A medical waiver process allows service members to continue in service if the treating clinician and military medical evaluators agree that the therapy won’t impair readiness or safety. Regular blood work is typically mandated to monitor testosterone levels, hematocrit, lipid profile, liver enzymes, and prostate-specific markers when appropriate. In this case, free testosterone cannot be calculated accurately. If you were assigned female at birth (AFAB) and are seeking testosterone testing, consider the Total Testosterone Test for Women. Our team delivers personalized and impeccable service. Our experienced staff will be there to answer your questions or help keep you moving ahead. GLP-1 medications are redefining the approach to weight control, offering a strategic path for those seeking to manage their health with precision. From hormonal assessments and customized balancing plans to aesthetic treatments like facials and Botox, we help you achieve true harmony inside and out. When it comes to men’s health, testosterone often gets all the attention. A testosterone level that is lower or higher than normal can affect the body in many ways. This test measures total testosterone, which represents all biological pools of testosterone, including the free forms, as well as those bound to proteins in the blood. In women, testosterone is secreted in the ovaries and adrenal glands and helps create estrogen and may help regulate how eggs develop in the ovaries.
