About Testosterone, Total
Testosterone is an androgenic steroid hormone primarily produced in the testes in males and, to a lesser extent, in the ovaries in females and adrenal glands in both sexes. It is responsible for the development of male secondary sexual characteristics, impacts muscle and bone mass, and has roles in mood regulation and energy levels.
Reference Values
Optimal Range
≥ 700.0 ng/dL
Women's Optimal Range
15.0 - 70.0 ng/dL
Elite Value
Not specified
Health Implications
High
Elevated levels may indicate conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome in women or testicular tumors in men, potentially leading to cardiovascular issues or infertility.
Low
Low levels may be associated with symptoms such as fatigue, decreased muscle mass, or osteoporosis in men, and can cause menstrual irregularities in women.
Symptoms
High
May include aggression, acne, mood swings, hair loss, increased muscle mass, and increased libido.
Low
Can include fatigue, depression, decreased endurance, hair loss, fertility issues, and decreased libido.
Lifestyle Factors
Specimen Type
Testing Methods
Also Known As
Scientific Sources
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- ndelsman, D. J., & Wartofsky, L. (2018). Requirement for mass spectrometry sex steroid assays in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. *The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism*, 103(4), 1261–1263.
- ap, B. B., Almeida, O. P., Hyde, Z., Chubb, S. A., Hankey, G. J., & Flicker, L. (2018). Higher serum testosterone levels are associated with better cognitive function in older men, for the Health In Men Study. *Clinical Endocrinology*, 88(4), 606–613.
- , F. C., Tajar, A., Beynon, J. M., Pye, S. R., Silman, A. J., Finn, J. D., O'Neill, T. W., Bartfai, G., Casanueva, F. F., Forti, G., Giwercman, A., Han, T. S., Kula, K., Lean, M. E., Pendleton, N., Punab, M., & Boonen, S. (2010). Identification of late-onset hypogonadism in middle-aged and elderly men. *The New England Journal of Medicine*, 363(2), 123–135.
- yder, P. J., Bhasin, S., Cunningham, G. R., Matsumoto, A. M., Stephens-Shields, A. J., Cauley, J. A., Gill, T. M., Barrett-Connor, E., Swerdloff, R. S., Wang, C., Ensrud, K. E., Lewis, C. E., Farrar, J. T., Cella, D., Hou, X., Hou, X., & Ellenberg, S. S. (2016). Effects of testosterone treatment in older men. *The New England Journal of Medicine*, 374(7), 611–624.