Testosterone Testing: Understanding Testosterone Levels and Test Results

January 27, 2025

4 mins

Knowing your testosterone levels can tell you a lot about your health. Health experts are constantly searching for new ways to advance testosterone testing. Testosterone levels in the body can indicate hormonal imbalances, changes in the endocrine system, erectile dysfunction, and more. 

Testosterone testing can also be a useful way to monitor any changes in your health. There are three main types of testosterone tests available for a healthcare provider to use before treatment.

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What is Testosterone?

Testosterone is a hormone produced in the testes (in men) and ovaries (in women) to carry out certain bodily processes. It’s an essential sex hormone for puberty in both men and women. This hormone helps with muscle growth, body hair growth, voice deepening, sperm production, and more.

How Does Testosterone Testing Work?

The best way to measure testosterone levels is to use a blood test. Different blood types may detect certain types of testosterone more than others. 

In some cases, a healthcare provider may request that you avoid eating or drinking hours before your blood test. A sample of blood is typically taken in the morning when testosterone levels are the highest. Blood samples are taken from a vein in the arm. You may feel a slight pinch, but the process is mostly painless.

A healthcare provider takes a sample of blood and tests for free testosterone and testosterone attached to proteins like albumin. Testosterones attached to proteins may prevent tissue from using testosterone the right way. Free testosterone needs tissue to carry out bodily processes like muscle growth.

What are the different types of testosterone tests?

Not every type of testosterone test detects the same kind of testosterone. You may see testosterone under different names like serum testosterone and bioavailable testosterone. 

There are three main types of testosterone tests:

Total testosterone test: This is the most common type of testosterone test. It measures free testosterone and testosterone attached to proteins.

Free testosterone test: This type of test only measures active testosterone. It’s often used to diagnose certain medical conditions.

Bioavailable testosterone test: While this test is less commonly used, it can help diagnose certain health conditions by detecting free testosterone and testosterone attached to the blood protein albumin.

What are the Benefits of Testosterone Tests?

Anyone can benefit from knowing more about their health through testosterone testing. However, the test may be especially beneficial for men who are showing symptoms of erectile dysfunction (ED) and symptoms associated with hypogonadism.

What are Normal Testosterone Levels?

Age is a factor that can influence what’s considered a normal range of testosterone levels. Older men begin to lose testosterone as they age. Testosterone levels are measured in nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL).  

Testosterone levels may exist in the following ranges for men:

• 20-24 years old: 409 to 558 ng/dL

• 25-29 years old: 413-575 ng/dL

• 30-34 years old: 359-498 ng/dL

• 35-39 years old: 352-478 ng/dL

• 40-44 years old: 350-473 ng/dL

What are the symptoms of low testosterone?

Low testosterone levels don’t always cause symptoms, but there are signs often associated with low testosterone. Having low testosterone levels may also increase your risk of chronic health conditions like liver disease and kidney disease.

Common symptoms of low testosterone in men may include:

• Fatigue

• Low libido

• Erectile dysfunction

• Loss of muscle mass

• Slow hair growth

What are the symptoms of high testosterone?

High testosterone can happen naturally in some men or occur as a result of testosterone therapy.

Self-diagnosis can be unreliable. Symptoms from an undiagnosed health condition can easily be mistaken for the common cold. Be sure to reach out to a healthcare provider if you notice any of the following symptoms. 

Possible symptoms of too much testosterone include:

• Excessive hair growth

• Acne

• Mood swings

• High blood pressure

• Headaches

• Prostate enlargement

At-Home Testosterone Testing Options

If you can’t make it to a doctor’s office, there are options for testing your testosterone levels at home. You don’t need a prescription for an at-home test kit. 

Using an at-home test, you can take a sample of blood or saliva to send back to a lab. Consider sending the results of your test to a  healthcare provider if you want to learn more about the results.

How Much Do Testosterone Tests Cost?

The costs of testosterone tests vary. At Rex MD, the cost of initial lab tests and a consultation is around a discounted price of $149. For subscribers, subsequent tests are provided with a subscription fee of $250 to $299 a month. 

All testosterone tests center around taking a blood sample. Some versions of standard blood tests may also tell a person more about testosterone levels in the body.

How Rex MD Can Help

Rex MD offers affordable and accessible options for testosterone therapy. The Rex MD TestoRx Program offers treatment options for you if clinically appropriate.

During the pre-qualification process, a licensed healthcare provider can order lab work for you to determine your eligibility for treatment before committing to the program. If you don’t qualify for testosterone therapy, Rex MD may offer alternative options.

Get started today on exploring your options.