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Testosterone
The main male sex hormone — present in women too, where an elevated level is the more telling finding.
Other names: Serum testosterone, total testosteroneSection: Hormones
Updated: August 29, 2026·MedProtect editorial team Reference information — not a diagnosis or a prescription
In shortFor men aged 17–50 the usual range is 249–836 ng/dL (8.6–29.0 nmol/L), and over 50 it is 193–740 ng/dL (6.7–25.7 nmol/L). For women aged 17–50 it is 8.4–48.1 ng/dL (0.3–1.7 nmol/L), and over 50 it is 2.9–40.1 ng/dL (0.1–1.4 nmol/L).
Reference ranges
Group
Reference range
Men, 17–50 years
249–836 ng/dL (8.6–29.0 nmol/L)
Men, over 50 years
193–740 ng/dL (6.7–25.7 nmol/L)
Women, 17–50 years
8.4–48.1 ng/dL (0.3–1.7 nmol/L)
Women, over 50 years
2.9–40.1 ng/dL (0.1–1.4 nmol/L)
Normal value ranges vary slightly among different laboratories, and some laboratories use different measurements or test different specimens. A natural decline with age is expected.
Check your value
Enter the number from your lab report — see how it compares with the typical range. Mind the units shown in the chosen row.
A rough comparison with a typical range, not a diagnosis. Reference ranges vary between laboratories — check the range on your own report and let a clinician interpret the result.
What this marker is
A testosterone levels test measures the amount of testosterone in a blood sample. In males the testicles are the main producers; in females the ovaries produce most of it, and the adrenal glands contribute other androgens that are converted to testosterone. Reports may distinguish total testosterone from free or bioavailable fractions.
In men the test helps find the cause of a low sex drive, erectile difficulties, infertility, or delayed puberty; low testosterone can affect sex drive, mood, and muscle mass. In women levels are normally low, so the test is most often used to evaluate signs of too much testosterone: acne and oily skin, a change in voice, decreased breast size, excess dark coarse hair growth on the face and body, an increase in the size of the clitoris, irregular or absent menstrual periods, and male-pattern hair thinning.
Results depend on age and sex. For men aged 17–50 the usual range is 249–836 ng/dL (8.6–29.0 nmol/L), and over 50 it is 193–740 ng/dL (6.7–25.7 nmol/L). For women aged 17–50 the range is 8.4–48.1 ng/dL (0.3–1.7 nmol/L), and over 50 it is 2.9–40.1 ng/dL (0.1–1.4 nmol/L). It is normal for testosterone to decrease with age.
A testosterone level alone cannot diagnose any health condition — an abnormal result together with symptoms may be a sign of a health problem, and results mean different things depending on which test was done, age, symptoms, other test results, and other conditions. In certain cases fasting for several hours is required, and some medicines may need to be paused; the provider's instructions decide.
When it is high
In men: tumors and disordersA tumor in the testicles or an adrenal gland disorder such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) can raise testosterone.
In men: steroid useAnabolic steroid use — and medicines, drugs, or some supplements that increase the testosterone level — pushes the result up.
In women: polycystic ovary syndromePCOS is the classic cause of a high testosterone level in women.
In women: other causesOvarian cancer or other problems with the ovaries, an adrenal gland disorder such as CAH, a disorder of the pituitary gland, and — in either sex — resistance to the action of male hormones (androgen resistance).
When it is low
In men: testicular problemsDiseases of the testicles — trauma, cancer, infection, immune damage, iron overload — reduce production, as does injury to the testicles.
In men: chronic illness and pituitary disordersLong-lasting liver or kidney disease, a pituitary gland disorder, benign pituitary tumors including prolactin-producing ones, and problems with the brain areas that control hormones (the hypothalamus) all lower testosterone.
In men: lifestyle and other factorsAlcohol use disorder, genetic diseases such as Klinefelter syndrome, low thyroid function, delayed puberty, obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, and chronic stress from too much exercise (overtraining syndrome).
In womenLow levels are normal; extremely low levels may be a sign of an adrenal gland disorder, a pituitary gland disorder, or a disorder of the ovaries.
What can skew the result
These factors can shift the value without any disease — worth considering before a retest:
Age — levels decrease naturally with ageFood and drink within several hours before the test, when fasting is requestedMedicines, drugs, and some supplements that increase testosterone, including anabolic steroidsObesity, obstructive sleep apnea, overtraining
How to prepare
In certain cases fasting — no food or drink for several hours — is required. The provider should know about everything being taken, since some medicines may need to be paused; nothing is stopped without the provider's advice.
When a retest makes sense
An abnormal result is read together with symptoms, age, and other tests — a testosterone level alone cannot diagnose a condition. Because it is normal for levels to decrease with age, a mildly low result in an older man without symptoms may not need treatment at all.
Who usually reviews this result
A result outside the reference range is usually reviewed by: an endocrinologist or urologist for men; a gynecologist or endocrinologist for women. Bring your lab report and any previous results to the appointment.
Names used on lab reports
Your report may use any of these names: Serum testosteroneTotal testosteroneFree testosteroneBioavailable testosterone
Units and conversion
Measured in: ng/dL
ng/dL=nmol/L
ng/dL × 0.0347 = nmol/L. Example: 500 ng/dL = 17.3 nmol/L. Results are rounded to 2 decimal places.
Several markers on your report?
See how MedProtect explains results in the app: the whole report, a check of the recognized values, and a clear breakdown.
Why are the ranges so different for men and women?
The testicles produce far more testosterone than the ovaries, so the sexes have separate reference ranges — roughly an order of magnitude apart. In women the test is used mainly to look for an elevated level; in men, mainly for a reduced one.
Does a low result in an older man always need treatment?
No. It is normal for testosterone levels to decrease with age, and an abnormal result does not always mean a medical condition that needs treatment — symptoms and the rest of the picture decide.
What raises testosterone in women?
Polycystic ovary syndrome is the classic cause; ovarian cancer or other ovarian problems, adrenal gland disorders such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and pituitary disorders are others. Signs include acne, a deeper voice, excess dark body hair, and irregular or absent periods.
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