A patient seated in the chair before a blood draw
In person

Total Testosterone (LC/MS)

Your total testosterone level, from one morning blood draw.

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  • 2,000+ lab locations. Find one near you
  • Nothing due at the lab. FSA / HSA accepted
  • Ordered by a licensed clinician

At a glance

Collection
Blood draw
A standard blood draw at the lab.
Preparation
Morning draw is best
Before 10 a.m. is preferred. Levels peak early in the day.
Results
2 to 4 days
Typical turnaround after your visit.
Where
2,000+ lab locations
Nationwide, with nothing due at the lab. Pay online. No additional payment is collected at the lab for this test. Draws at Quest Diagnostics locations.

About this test

In all adults, testosterone plays a part in sex drive, muscle, and energy. It is made by the testes, ovaries, and adrenal glands. This test measures total testosterone, bound and unbound, by mass spectrometry. Levels peak early, so a draw before 10 a.m. is preferred.

For adults 18 and older. Test availability varies by lab location.

Who should take this test?

Some people check testosterone when discussing changes in energy, sex drive or body hair with a provider. Symptoms have many causes.

Ask about this test

Not sure this is the right test?

AI-generated. For information only, not medical advice. Call 911 for an emergency.

What does this test measure?

Your result shows how much testosterone is in your blood in total, which a healthcare provider can read with your symptoms, the time of the draw, and other hormones.

Testosterone, total
Testosterone is a hormone made mainly by the testes, and in smaller amounts by the ovaries and adrenal glands. Total testosterone measures both the bound and free forms. Levels are highest in the morning and can vary day to day, so an out-of-range result is often repeated before conclusions are drawn.
Why it’s measured: The total amount of testosterone, usually drawn in the morning.

How it works

  1. Step 1

    Order online

    Check out here. A licensed clinician in your state reviews your order and sends it to the lab.

  2. Step 2

    Visit a lab

    Bring a photo ID to any of 2,000+ lab locations. Before 10 a.m. is preferred. Levels peak early in the day. Nothing is due at the lab.

  3. Step 3

    Get your results

    Results post to your account, usually in 2 to 4 days, each number next to the lab’s reference range.

Find a lab near you

Choose from 2,000+ lab locations nationwide. Your order works at any of them.

What your results tell you

Total testosterone is reported as a number and compared with the lab’s reference range, which differs by age and sex.

  • Your number next to the lab’s reference range
  • Explained in plain language
  • A licensed clinician reviews your order and, if appropriate, orders the test.
  • A lab report you can download and share

A single low result is usually repeated on another morning before any conclusion. A healthcare provider reads it and decides next steps.

Total testosterone alone, or with free testosterone?

Two ways to look at the same hormone.

Total testosterone

All the testosterone in your blood, bound and unbound.

Measures
Total testosterone
Useful when
Taking a first look at your testosterone level
Preparation
Morning draw, before 10 a.m. preferred

Clinical-grade testing, from the comfort of home.

From the lab to your report, every step of our process meets the gold standard in medical testing.

  • CLIA-certified labs

    Every lab we partner with is certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, meeting both state and federal standards with regular independent inspections.

  • We protect your health data

    We protect your health data with encryption and do not sell it. Some results must be reported to public health authorities by law. See our Privacy Notice.

  • Rigorous quality assurance

    All partner labs run regular internal quality checks, participate in proficiency testing, and comply with federal and state lab regulations.

  • Clinician-reviewed reports

    Results are reviewed by an independent, licensed clinician.

Questions

Common questions.

Anything else, our care team answers by phone, text, or email.

Testosterone is usually highest in the morning and lower later in the day. A draw before 10 a.m. gives a number that is easier to compare with the lab’s reference range and with your past results. If you test again, try to keep a similar time of day.

Testosterone can vary from day to day as well as through the day. A single low result may not reflect your usual level, so a healthcare provider usually repeats the test on another morning before drawing any conclusion.

They may also add free testosterone or LH to understand a low or borderline result.

Most testosterone is bound to proteins in the blood. If those proteins are higher or lower than usual, a total result can be misleading. Free testosterone, measured in a separate test, shows the unbound share. A healthcare provider may suggest it when your total is borderline or does not match your symptoms.

A total testosterone result cannot explain symptoms like tiredness or low sex drive on its own, since these have many causes. It also does not measure free testosterone, the unbound share.

Testosterone and other hormone medicines can change your result, so tell your healthcare provider if you use any. Don’t stop or change any medicine or supplement without talking with your healthcare provider.

Lab tests are informational and don’t diagnose conditions on their own. Available to adults 18 and older; test availability varies by lab location. A licensed clinician reviews your order and, if appropriate, orders the test. All testing is performed at CLIA-certified laboratories. Not for emergencies: if you think you may be having a medical emergency, call 911.