Normal Testosterone Levels By Age

By Jordan Stachel, MS, RDN, CPT

Testosterone is a hormone that both men and women have in their bodies. Normal testosterone levels are crucial for optimizing health and well-being. Read this article to learn more about what normal testosterone levels by age mean and how to determine if you have normal levels.

What Is Testosterone?

Testosterone is a sex hormone that is the major sex hormone for males. Normal testosterone levels help males develop their sex organs. Testosterone has several roles in the body. Some of its major roles for males include:

• Development of the male sex organs
• Deepening of the voice during puberty
• Appearance of facial hair during puberty
• Growth of the bones and muscles
• Sex drive
• Production of sperm
• Balance of mood

Testosterone is also important for women and some of its major functions for females include:

• Optimization of ovarian function
• Bone strength
• Sex drive
• Mood and cognitive function

Testosterone is made in the body from cholesterol. Different people have different levels of testosterone and cholesterol, which is also completely normal.

What Are Normal Levels of Testosterone?

Normal testosterone levels vary by age and gender. Testosterone is measured in nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). For males, normal levels of testosterone include:

• Under one year old: less than 12 ng/dL
• Ages one to five: less than 12 ng/dL
• Ages six to ten: less than 25 ng/dL
• Ages eleven to fifteen: less than 830 ng/dL
• Ages sixteen to seventeen: 102-1010 ng/dL
• Ages eighteen to ninety-nine: 193-824 ng/dL

For women, the normal levels are different. These levels are:

• Under one year old: less than 12 ng/dL
• Ages one to five: less than 12 ng/dL
• Ages six to ten: less than 25 ng/dL
• Ages eleven to seventeen: less than 79 ng/dL
• Ages eighteen to ninety-nine: less than 40 ng/dL

What Happens if Testosterone Levels Are Too High?

It is possible to have too much testosterone. Both men and women can have too much testosterone and may experience symptoms due to excessive levels. In men, having too much testosterone can cause concerns. Some things that can occur include:

• Reduction of sperm
• Damage to the heart muscle and increased risk of heart attack
• Reduction of the size of the male sex organs
• Liver disease
• Issues with prostate health
• Acne
• Fluid retention (swelling of legs and feet)
• Weight gain
• High blood pressure and cholesterol
• Trouble sleeping
• Increase in muscle mass
• Increased risk of blood clots
• Stunted growth in young people
• Changes to behavior or mood swings (uncharacteristically aggressive behavior, irritability, euphoria, delusions)

Testosterone levels can also be too high in females. Some things that can take place if women have excessive testosterone levels include:

• Indication of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). If a female has PCOS, she may experience other symptoms of this condition as well like acne, excess body and facial hair, irregular periods, balding of hairline and deeper voice.
• Changes to sex organs (decrease in breast size)

What Happens if Testosterone Levels Are Too Low?

It is also possible to have testosterone levels that are too low. It is normal to have a natural decline in testosterone levels as part of the aging process. If testosterone levels are too low in males, several symptoms can arise. Some of these can include:

• Reduction of hair on the body or face
• Lower levels of muscle mass
• Low libido
• Hot flashes
• Issues with mood (irritability, poor concentration, depression)
• Weaker bones

Low testosterone in males is also sometimes referred to as male hypogonadism. In male hypogonadism, there can be two different kinds: classical or late onset. If a man has classical male hypogonadism, an underlying medical condition may be causing it that can damage the sex organs. This requires follow-up care and testing with a qualified care provider. In late-onset male hypogonadism, the onset is likely due to aging or other medical conditions like obesity and Type 2 diabetes.

If testosterone levels are too low during fetal development, it can negatively impact how male characteristics like the genitals develop normally. One example is androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS), a condition where a genetically male individual doesn’t respond to male sex hormones (androgens).

If testosterone levels are too low during puberty, it can affect the processes that naturally occur during puberty, like height and overall growth potential, muscle growth, hair growth, changes to voice, and more.

Women can also experience low levels of testosterone. If women have low levels of testosterone, it is possible to experience symptoms like:

• Low sex drive
• Low energy
• Loss of strength
• Issues with fertility
• Changes to the menstrual cycle
• Vaginal dryness
• Changes to mood (depression and anxiety)
• Dry, brittle skin
• Hair thinning
• Issues with sleep

Women may also experience a natural decline in testosterone as they get older. Other causes can be due to certain medical conditions or if women need to undergo certain medical procedures, such as exposure to chemotherapy or radiation. Lifestyle factors, like a poor diet, or physiological factors, like entering menopause too early, can also cause low testosterone in women.

How to Optimize Testosterone Levels

If testosterone levels are too high, you will likely need to consult a qualified healthcare provider for next steps. Some medications can help balance out testosterone levels, but it is not a one-size-fits-all solution and would need to be appropriate, as determined on a case-by-case basis. A healthcare provider will likely need to determine the root cause of why the testosterone levels are high to begin with, to see what the appropriate course of action will be.

If you want to boost testosterone levels higher, you can take several steps to help raise your levels. It can be helpful to begin by using natural lifestyle habits to help slow the normal decline that occurs as you age. Some simpler steps you can take to help optimize testosterone levels include:

• Maintaining a healthy weight: Because carrying excess fat can impact testosterone, some individuals may benefit from losing weight if they have excess adiposity.
• Moving your body: Regular exercise can help increase testosterone. Both cardio and weight-based movements are helpful.
• Prioritizing balanced nutrition: Getting enough macro and micronutrients can help support healthy testosterone levels. Foods high in omega-3s and other healthy fats can be helpful, such as salmon, herring, and olive oil.
• Avoiding too much alcohol or avoiding smoking altogether.
• Avoiding excessive exposure to environmental toxins: Certain toxins and chemicals like BPA found in plastics can be disruptive to the hormones and can affect testosterone levels.
• Getting enough sleep and getting quality sleep: Testosterone is mostly released during sleep, especially during deep, quality sleep.
• Managing stress levels: Too high stress levels or chronic stress can increase cortisol, which can negatively impact testosterone.

Certain medications can also increase testosterone levels. These medications would need to be discussed and prescribed under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider.

How to Test Testosterone Levels

Testosterone is measured via a blood test, which looks at how much testosterone you have in your blood. The testosterone that is measured can be bound by protein or can be free. Most testosterone is bound to a protein known as sex-hormone-binding-globulin (SHBG) and/or bound to a protein known as albumin.

Different blood tests can measure testosterone. Some of these include a total testosterone test, a free testosterone test, and a bioavailable testosterone test. A healthcare provider may order these tests if you are experiencing any symptoms of low or high testosterone.

During this test, a straightforward blood draw will be completed, and the sample will be sent for processing. You can also take at-home testosterone testing kits from the comfort of your own home. The at-home testosterone kit from Everlywell measures the total testosterone (or Total T), which includes looking at both the free testosterone and the testosterone bound to protein.

Take Control of Your Hormonal Health Today

Managing hormone levels can sometimes feel like an overwhelming task. Luckily, with Everlywell, it doesn’t have to be the case. Everlywell offers at-home testing options as well as quality follow-up care, all from the comfort of your own home. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of low or high testosterone, or if you are simply curious about where your levels are, get started today with Everlywell.

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