Testosterone Levels by Age: Normal Levels for Males and Females

High & Low Testosterone Levels: Symptoms, Signs & Side Effects

Cholesterol abnormalities and heart disease were once on that list, but they now appear less likely. In males, testosterone production begins very early indeed, usually at the start of the seventh week of embryonic development. Testosterone levels remain high throughout fetal life, but they fall just before birth, so they’re only slightly higher in newborn boys than girls. Baby boys experience a blip in testosterone production between three and six months of age, but by a year their levels are back down. Between six and eight years of age, adrenal androgen production rises, triggering a transient growth spurt and a bit of body hair but no sexual development.

While it’s perfectly possible for your testosterone to be on the lower end of « normal » without it impacting your health, if your testosterone levels drop below that range you may experience some health problems. Interestingly, your testosterone levels change a lot over the course of the day. They are highest in the morning (so most blood tests to measure testosterone usually take place then) and drop when you’ve just had a meal. There, Villareal and her team are pursuing a VA-funded study looking at the impact of T therapy on men who have diabetes and low testosterone levels.

Symptoms include irregular periods, reduced fertility, excess or coarse hair on the face, extremities, trunk and pubic area, male-pattern baldness, darkened, thick skin, weight gain, depression and anxiety. One treatment available for many of these problems is spironolactone, a special type of diuretic (water pill) that blocks the action of male sex hormones. Testosterone deficiency during fetal development doesn’t allow male characteristics to develop normally. This is called androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) and occurs when someone is genetically male but is insensitive to androgens (male sex hormones).

A 2018 study in 60 children found that testosterone levels in the womb may also affect how your right and left brain function. However, there’s no official consensus on healthy testosterone levels. Testosterone therapy is approved for the treatment of delayed male puberty and abnormally low production of testosterone secondary to malfunction of the testes, pituitary or hypothalamus. The proper balance between testosterone (along with other androgens) and estrogen is important for the ovaries to work normally. While the specifics are uncertain, it’s possible that androgens also play an important role in normal brain function (including mood, sex drive and cognitive function). Anyone who suspects their testosterone levels are high or low should speak to their doctor or undergo testing. In males, this testosterone excess can also decrease the amount of sperm the body makes, which may lead to infertility or loss of sex drive.

In addition, low levels of testosterone in men or anyone with a penis can be tied to other health issues, including changes in thyroid function, genetic or chronic illness, benign tumors, problems with the testicles, obesity, or disturbed sleep. Some patients have come to us from low-T clinics with testosterone levels as high as 3,000. That’s unnecessary, and so much chemical modification increases the risk of enlarged prostate or increases the risk of prostate cancer.

In TRT, the testosterone is usually administered via an injection, gel, or skin patch. With the gel, it’s important that women and children don’t touch the area too soon after it has been applied – in order to avoid transfer and potential harm. In addition to older men, about 35% of men older than 45 and up to 50% of men with obesity or type 2 diabetes have low T levels, according to the Endocrine Society. It is unclear if the transferred testosterone remained biologically active. These findings require further follow-up as they demonstrate that transference may hypothetically occur in the absence of skin-to-skin contact.

The reality is that the optimal level of testosterone for any particular man may be far higher than the level that is considered normal. Men with testosterone levels below 600 have a greater risk of death from all causes. Most medical professionals consider a testosterone level between 300 and 1,000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) as « normal » for adult men. However, this broad range might not tell the whole story of your health and vitality. In today’s health-conscious world, understanding your body’s unique needs goes beyond simply accepting the status quo. This is especially true when it comes to testosterone levels in men. « However, most of these explanations for testosterone deficiency may be attributed to age.

Testosterone (tess-TOSS-tuh-rone) is a hormone that plays an important role in sexual development. As puberty approaches — usually when kids are between 10 and 14 years old — the pituitary glandsecretes two hormones (luteinizing hormone, or LH; and follicle-stimulating hormone, or FSH). These hormones work together to stimulate the testes to make testosterone. The myLAB At Home Fitness test checks for your levels of testosterone along with other hormones and health metrics for men and women, including progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), cortisol, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and vitamin D. Together, these key indicators can help you understand your overall health. A total testosterone test measures both bound and free testosterone in a blood sample.

But you’d be hard-pressed to find a urologist recommending these gimmicky, untested products. Still, testosterone is important to a man’s health, says UNC Health urologist Marc J. Rogers, MD. Here’s the real deal about why, and what to do if you’re concerned about low testosterone.

Testosterone levels fluctuate throughout the day, an effect known as diurnal variation. DHEA is a precursor to testosterone, and it is believed foods that boost testosterone in males (lamh.org.uk) taking DHEA supplements could increase the amount of testosterone. It is always recommended to speak with a doctor before starting any medication or supplements. Cushing’s syndrome is another hormonal condition impacting the adrenal glands. Are you ready to take control of your health and experience what « optimal » truly feels like?