Testosterone test: normal ranges and results
- Updated
- 2026-09-30
- Every number with its source
What testosterone is
In men testosterone is produced by the testes, in women by the ovaries and the adrenal glands. It determines sexual maturation, muscle and bone mass, sex drive and sperm production, and it affects mood and energy. In the blood most testosterone is bound to proteins — sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and albumin — and only a small part is free and active. Total testosterone therefore does not always reflect the real effect: when SHBG is raised (with ageing, in hyperthyroidism, on some medicines) or lowered (in obesity, in insulin resistance), the doctor additionally assesses SHBG and the free androgen index. Testosterone is produced on a daily rhythm — most of it in the morning — so the test is done between 7 and 10 in the morning, and a deviation is confirmed by a repeat test. In men testosterone gradually declines with age.
Testosterone reference ranges
| Group | Range, nmol/l | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men, 17–50 years 249–836 ng/dl (MedlinePlus) | 8.6–29.0 | MedlinePlus Reviewed 2026-01-25 | |
| Men, over 50 years 193–740 ng/dl (MedlinePlus) | 6.7–25.7 | MedlinePlus Reviewed 2026-01-25 | |
| Women, 17–50 years 8.4–48.1 ng/dl (MedlinePlus) | 0.3–1.7 | MedlinePlus Reviewed 2026-01-25 | |
| Women, over 50 years 2.9–40.1 ng/dl (MedlinePlus) | 0.1–1.4 | MedlinePlus Reviewed 2026-01-25 | |
According to the MedlinePlus medical encyclopedia, testosterone in the female body is produced mainly by the ovaries, and its concentration in the blood is several dozen times lower than in men: for women aged 17–50 the range is 0.3–1.7 nmol/l, and for women over 50 it is 0.1–1.4 nmol/l. For comparison, the range given for men aged 17–50 reaches 8.6–29.0 nmol/l. The source separately explains only that testosterone is produced by different organs — the ovaries and adrenal glands in women, the testes in men — but it gives no physiological reason why the intervals differ so much. What matters when reading a result: different laboratories use different measurement methods and may have somewhat different reference limits, so the value you receive has to be compared with the interval of that particular laboratory, and not only with the one given here, and the age group has to be taken into account.
According to the MedlinePlus medical encyclopedia, in men testosterone is produced mainly by the testes, so its concentration in the blood is considerably higher than in women: for men aged 17–50 the range is 8.6–29.0 nmol/l, and for men over 50 it is 6.7–25.7 nmol/l. For women in the same age span the range given is only 0.3–1.7 nmol/l. The source states that testosterone in men gradually declines with age, but it gives no separate explanation of why exactly these limits were chosen for men over 50. What matters when reading a result: laboratories use different test methods and may give reference limits other than those presented here. The value you receive therefore has to be compared with that laboratory's interval, taking into account age and the time the sample was taken (in the morning, between 7 and 10).
When testosterone is tested
- In men — with reduced sex drive, erection problems, infertility, tiredness, loss of muscle mass and falling bone density
- In women — with increased hair growth, acne, voice changes, irregular periods, infertility, when polycystic ovary syndrome is suspected
- In children and adolescents — when puberty is delayed or starts too early
- To monitor hormone treatment
How to prepare
- Give blood in the morning, between 7 and 10 — testosterone is at its highest then and results are comparable
- Tell your doctor about medicines, supplements and hormone preparations you take
- Acute illness, insomnia and intense exercise can temporarily lower testosterone — an unexpected result is worth repeating
The general rules that apply to any blood draw are collected in a separate article on how to prepare for a blood test.
Raised testosterone
Raised testosterone in women is most often linked to polycystic ovary syndrome, less often to ovarian or adrenal tumours and to congenital adrenal hyperplasia. In men — to testicular cancer, androgen resistance, or medicines and supplements that raise testosterone. SHBG, DHEA-S and imaging tests help tell the cause apart.
- In women — polycystic ovary syndrome
- An ovarian tumour
- Testicular cancer
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
- Androgen resistance
- Medicines and supplements that raise testosterone, anabolic steroids
Symptoms that may go with a raised level: in women — increased hair growth, acne, a deepening voice, irregular periods; in men — there are often no symptoms at all, and when preparations are being used, aggression and shrinking of the testes.
- SHBG and the free androgen index — how much testosterone is actually active
- DHEA-S — whether the source is the adrenal glands
- In women — an ovarian ultrasound scan, LH and FSH
- The preparations and supplements being used
Low testosterone
Low testosterone in men may be due to diseases of the testes, disorders of the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus (including a prolactin-producing pituitary tumour), thyroid disease, chronic illness, obesity, sleep apnoea and overtraining. With age it declines naturally. A single low result is confirmed with a repeat morning test.
- Chronic illnesses
- Disorders of the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus
- A prolactin-producing pituitary tumour
- Thyroid diseases
- Diseases or injury of the testes
- Obesity
- Sleep apnoea
- Overtraining
- Delayed puberty in adolescents
Symptoms that may go with a low level: reduced sex drive and erection problems, tiredness and lower energy, loss of muscle mass and thinning bones, mood changes, infertility.
- A repeat morning test — a single result is not enough
- LH, FSH and prolactin — whether the cause lies in the testes or in the pituitary gland
- SHBG — especially in obesity or at an older age
- Thyroid markers, sleep quality, weight
- Whether to treat and how is decided by the doctor, according to the symptoms and the cause
How to read the result
A single testosterone number diagnoses nothing on its own. A result of 10 nmol/l, for example, falls in the lower part of the MedlinePlus range for men aged 17–50 (8.6–29.0 nmol/l); whether that is meaningful depends on symptoms, age, SHBG and free testosterone. A doctor usually repeats the morning test and checks LH, FSH and prolactin before drawing conclusions, and decides whether to treat and how according to the symptoms and the cause. Because reference limits depend on sex and age and can differ somewhat between laboratories, compare your value with the interval printed on your own laboratory report — the same logic set out in the article on how to read blood test results.
What the test costs in Lithuania
At the Medicina practica laboratory a testosterone test costs from €18 (September 2026 pricing). When there are indications, a family doctor or an endocrinologist can order the test free of charge.
Full site in Lithuanian: proactiva.app
Frequently asked questions
›What is the normal testosterone range in men?
According to the MedlinePlus medical encyclopedia, men aged 17–50 have 8.6–29.0 nmol/l (249–836 ng/dl) and men over 50 have 6.7–25.7 nmol/l. Laboratory intervals differ; the result has to be assessed together with symptoms and SHBG.
›What is the normal testosterone range in women?
Women aged 17–50 have 0.3–1.7 nmol/l (8.4–48.1 ng/dl) and women over 50 have 0.1–1.4 nmol/l (MedlinePlus). Raised testosterone in women is most often linked to polycystic ovary syndrome.
›Testosterone 10 nmol/l — is that low for a man?
10 nmol/l falls in the lower part of the MedlinePlus range for men aged 17–50 (8.6–29.0). Whether that is meaningful depends on symptoms, age, SHBG and free testosterone. A single result is not enough — the doctor usually repeats the morning test and checks LH, FSH and prolactin.
›Why is testosterone tested in the morning?
Testosterone is produced on a daily rhythm and is at its highest in the morning. MedlinePlus gives the best time as between 7 and 10 in the morning. Later in the day the result can be falsely low.
›Do exercise and sleep affect testosterone?
Yes. Among the causes of low testosterone, MedlinePlus lists overtraining, sleep apnoea and obesity. The short-term effect of insomnia or an acute illness can also lower the result — which is why an unexpected result is repeated.
›How much does a testosterone test cost?
At the Medicina practica laboratory a testosterone test costs from €18 (September 2026 pricing). When there are indications, a family doctor or an endocrinologist can order the test free of charge.
›Testosterone 14.5 nmol/l — is that normal?
14.5 nmol/l falls within the MedlinePlus range for men — both for men aged 17–50 (8.6–29.0 nmol/l) and for men over 50 (6.7–25.7 nmol/l) — and within the harmonised range given in the Endocrine Society guideline (9.2–31.8 nmol/l). It is still worth comparing the result with your own laboratory's interval and discussing it with a doctor together with any symptoms.
›Why do different sources give different normal testosterone ranges?
Laboratories use different methods, so their intervals differ. The Endocrine Society's 2018 guideline gives a harmonised total testosterone range for healthy, non-obese men aged 19–39 of 264–916 ng/dl (9.2–31.8 nmol/l). The same guideline advises confirming a low result by measuring on two separate mornings while fasting, because about 30% of men whose first result was low get a normal result when the test is repeated.
Sources
Related markers
This site is not an emergency service. If severe chest or head pain, breathlessness, confusion, difficulty speaking, heavy bleeding or another acute problem has come on suddenly — do not wait for tests, call 112.
This information is not a diagnosis and does not replace a consultation with a doctor. Reference ranges depend on the laboratory, your age and sex — always compare your result with the range printed on your own report.