Richelle Tancred
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Measuring your SHBG level provides information about how much of your testosterone is active. A low testosterone result does not necessarily mean that you have a medical condition or need treatment. If initial testosterone results are high or low, a health professional will usually recommend a repeat test in the following weeks.
If your healthcare provider thinks that you have low or high testosterone, he or she will first test total testosterone levels as above. The so-called "normal" testosterone levels for men and women changes as you age. Assess total and free testosterone, SHBG and albumin levels to evaluate male hormone health. The designation of "healthy range" for testosterone levels depends on age and laboratory assay. Testosterone is the main male hormone, but females also need it for healthy body functioning. Low testosterone levels for adult premenopausal females are 10 to 55 ng/dL, and for postmenopausal females, 7 to 40 ng/dL.
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Www.urologyhealth.org. Testosterone, total by access med labs. Testosterone testing 101. Testosterone and sexual function in men.
As males age, their testosterone levels may decline by up to 2% annually after age 30 years. It’s normal for testosterone levels to decrease with age or with the use of certain medications like corticosteroids or opiate pain medication. For those making lifestyle changes or working to boost their hormone health, this testosterone test can help you keep tabs on your testosterone levels and establish a baseline. Some men experience symptoms even when total testosterone is normal, which is why measuring both free and total testosterone levels offer deeper insights. The unit of measure for reporting T levels is nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL), with typical average testosterone levels for younger males being in the 400s.
Other factors, like certain medications and existing health conditions, can affect your test results. You may have slight tenderness or a bruise at the site of the blood draw. In most cases, you should get the results of your testosterone test within two to three business days, though it could take longer. Your provider will let you know if you need to follow any specific instructions. Testosterone in your body exists in free (not attached to anything) and bound (attached to proteins) forms. Your gonads (sex organs) mainly produce testosterone.
Seeing an abnormal test result may kick off alarm bells in your mind. They may also recommend a laboratory testosterone test. You shouldn’t try to self-diagnose a testosterone issue. They’ll let you know if you need further testing.
Free testosterone and bioavailable testosterone tests may be more useful for evaluating certain health concerns. The balance of testosterone with estrogen and other hormones is crucial for proper sexual and overall bodily functioning. For this reason, a high LH and FSH level indicates testicular failure and, in combination with low total testosterone, is used to diagnose primary hypogonadism.11 We encourage you to discuss your free testosterone result with a health professional. Both varieties suggest an abnormality in the level of bioavailable testosterone. If not, we encourage you to prompt such a discussion; it is important to understand how your results relate to your symptoms, general health, and long-term disease risk.
If your results show high testosterone levels, it might be worth meeting with your doctor to confirm the results through a physician-ordered blood test and to discuss your next steps. For example, after age 30 years, a male’s testosterone levels, on average, decrease by 1% per year but can be as much as 2% per year. Keep in mind that average testosterone levels decrease with age. For males under age 45 years, a testosterone test is usually performed in the morning when T levels are highest. Speaking with a doctor or medical professional is a good place to start if you have concerns about your testosterone levels.