Male Testosterone Levels by Age: Whats Normal, Whats Not, and How to Check Yours

Normal and Average Testosterone Levels by Age CHART Blog

Although your medical practitioner may focus on the hormone levels test, only you know how you feel. If your practitioner doesn’t give you the support you need, it may be time to consult a specialist who can. Unfortunately, many medical professionals haven’t had the necessary training to understand hormones and what it means to have optimal levels.

If you are wondering how to check testosterone levels, there are several reliable methods available. A simple blood test is the most common way to measure both total and free testosterone. Tests such as the testosterone total MS (mass spectrometry) test offer highly accurate results by distinguishing between different testosterone molecules in the blood.

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a common option, available in various forms such as injections, gels, and patches. However, it is essential to weigh the potential risks and benefits of TRT, as long-term use may impact natural testosterone production, fertility, and cardiovascular health. Understanding the difference between normal and abnormal testosterone levels is essential for identifying potential health concerns.

Traditionally, PSA levels over 4.0 ng/mL have led to further diagnostic testing to diagnose prostate cancer, but it’s possible to have prostate cancer with normal PSA levels, and vice versa. Assessing PSA levels is essential for understanding prostate health as they reflect the gland’s function. PSA levels vary by age, necessitating age-specific thresholds for determining what is normal. Bodybuilders who supplement with testosterone often have enhanced muscle strength and bone density as well as decreased body fat. But bodybuilders take supraphysiologic doses of it—that is, amounts much higher than any woman’s body would ever make on its own. When experts prescribe testosterone to postmenopausal women, it is intended to replicate the amount a younger woman makes, and taking too much can lead to an array of unpleasant side effects.

In the same study, researchers also found that healthy, non-obese men tended to have a testosterone normal range that was higher than men who were overweight. Other studies found a similar correlation between weight and testosterone levels. Starting in your 30s or 40s, your body’s total testosterone levels begin to change. Male testosterone levels decrease by an average of 1.6% per year, but the changes in testosterone can vary wildly with age.

You may want to consider testosterone replacement therapy to feel like yourself again and enjoy the benefits of optimal testosterone levels. Optimal, not just normal, testosterone levels help regulate cholesterol, lipids, and glucose. In addition to age-related decline, research shows testosterone levels have dropped 20 percent in young men compared to past generations (5). A level under 300 ng/dL is generally considered low, but many men experience symptoms well above that threshold. Testosterone levels are typically measured in nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL), and according to Mount Sinai (2), a healthy testosterone range is between 300 to 1,000 ng/dL. Teen boys can reach peak levels around age 19, often above 300 ng/dL, with those levels staying high until the thirties, when gradual decline begins. Testosterone levels are at their peak during the late teens and slowly start to decline thereafter.

Energy, sexual ability, muscle tone, bone density, cognitive functions, metabolism, hair growth, and mood are all dependent upon a proper amount of testosterone circulating in the body. Increased body fat may have a negative impact on hormone signaling between the brain and the testes, leading to decreased production of testosterone. Lower testosterone levels in larger men may also be related to the increased risk of other chronic conditions that can impact your hormones.

Some studies have shown that men over sixty are often found to have total testosterone levels under 241, which foods increase testosterone could explain the many changes they are experiencing. Regular physical activity can also contribute to maintaining healthy PSA levels. A combination of a healthy diet and regular exercise is beneficial for maintaining optimal PSA levels and prostate health. Possible side effects include acne, hair growth on the face and body, male-pattern hair loss, and oily skin. Excessive doses of testosterone can result in irreversible side effects such as enlargement of the clitoris and lowering of the voice.