lab metric
Total Testosterone (male-only)
Table of contents
Total testosterone measures all of the testosterone circulating in your blood, including the portion bound to proteins and the small amount that moves freely into tissues. It is the standard first test for checking androgen status, and it is interpreted together with SHBG and free testosterone.
Group | Typical range | Units |
|---|---|---|
Adult men | 300 to 1000 | ng/dL |
Adult women | 15 to 70 | ng/dL |
Ranges vary by lab, age, and time of day (test in the morning), so compare to the range on your own lab report.
What total testosterone measures
Total testosterone reflects the sum of the hormone bound to sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and albumin plus the free, unbound fraction. Most of what you carry is protein-bound and not immediately active, so a total value describes your overall supply rather than what your tissues can actually use. That is why clinicians pair it with SHBG and free testosterone.
What high or low levels mean
In men, a low total testosterone can point to hypogonadism, and it also drifts down with aging, obesity, poorly controlled diabetes, acute illness, heavy alcohol use, and opioid medications. Because it is highest in the morning and varies day to day, a single low reading is usually rechecked on an early-morning sample before you act on it. In women, a high level may signal polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and, less often, adrenal or ovarian tumors or congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Read your total alongside SHBG and free testosterone, since an abnormal SHBG can push the total up or down without changing what your tissues receive. Follow up with your clinician when results are persistently out of range or paired with symptoms.
Testosterone FAQ
What is a normal testosterone level for a man?
Most labs report a normal adult male range of roughly 300 to 1000 ng/dL, though the exact cutoffs depend on the assay, your age, and the collection time. Your report shows the range that applies to you.
Should testosterone be tested in the morning?
Yes. Testosterone peaks in the early morning and falls through the day, so guidelines recommend an 8 to 10 a.m. sample. Testing later can produce a falsely low reading and lead to an unnecessary repeat.
Can weight affect testosterone?
Yes. Excess body fat is linked to lower total testosterone, partly through changes in SHBG and increased conversion to estrogen. Weight loss often raises levels, which is one reason lifestyle is reviewed before treatment.
Read alongside free testosterone, bioavailable testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin, and luteinizing hormone.
Sources
Mayo Clinic Laboratories. Testosterone, Total, Serum.
Bhasin S, et al. Testosterone Therapy in Men With Hypogonadism: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline.
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