Testosterone Test: Free & SHBG, High vs Low vs. Normal Levels

7 Ways You Can Test Testosterone Level without Seeing a Doctor

With years of experience in healthcare journalism, he is dedicated to providing clear, research-backed insights on medical advancements and wellness trends. Edgar’s work aims to empower readers with reliable information to make informed health decisions. In men, artificially high testosterone can lead to testicle shrinking, low sperm count, infertility, heart damage, and a higher risk of a heart attack. Her work has appeared in Washington Post, Prevention, Healthline, Health, The Daily Beast, Runner’s World, Greatist, Real Simple, and more.

In order to check the body fat percentage, it is necessary to enter info such as gender, weight in pounds, and circumference of the waist, wrist, hip, and forearm. Body fat contains aromatase, an enzyme that converts testosterone into estrogen. Having too much estrogen floating around in your body slows down the production of testosterone.

The longer your ringer finger is in relation to the index finger, the higher the testosterone. Your doctor uses it to diagnose conditions caused by too much or too little testosterone. Testosterone pellets are very popular, and many women swear by them, but they are not recommended by most menopause experts. In general, women who use pellets initially love them because the huge bolus of estrogen and testosterone the pellets offer immediately makes them feel sexy, energetic, and fabulous overall. But these women often end up with unacceptably high levels because the dose is too high and the products aren’t regulated. When I see a woman experiencing negative side effects, she is almost always using pellets.

Symptoms of high testosterone in women include irregular menstrual cycles, acne, excessive hair growth, and fertility issues. In addition to regular testing, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can also help optimize testosterone levels. Regular exercise, a nutritious diet, adequate sleep, stress management, and maintaining a healthy weight can all contribute to hormonal balance. Lifestyle choices such as avoiding excessive alcohol consumption and smoking can also have a positive impact on testosterone levels. It is also important to consider the potential for user error when using OTC testosterone testing kits. Obtaining accurate readings may require precise sample collection techniques and following the instructions provided with the kit. Improper collection or mishandling of samples can lead to incorrect results or false negatives, leaving individuals with potentially inaccurate information about their testosterone levels.

A simple blood test can help you determine if your levels are in the normal range, which is 300–1,000 ng/dL for men and 15–70 ng/dL for women. Other studies have found eating a healthy diet, minimizing stress, and getting enough sleep can work alongside TRT to increase testosterone levels or help normalize hormone levels. Both males and females can experience health problems if their testosterone levels are out of the normal range. Laboratories may have different reference ranges for normal testosterone levels. “Normal” ranges for testosterone also vary significantly based on your age and sex. When you get your blood test results back, there will be information that indicates what that lab’s normal ranges are.

This means refraining from eating or drinking anything other than water during that time. Fasting helps ensure accurate results by eliminating any potential interference from food or beverages. Edgar C. Johnson is an Australian medical writer with a strong focus on public health and disease prevention.

Understanding your hormone health often requires the guidance and expertise of a healthcare provider. If you’re looking for more guidance on your hormone health, or other conditions, you can schedule a virtual visit with our certified healthcare providers. Hormone imbalances can cause a variety of symptoms that can significantly impact your life.

In addition to these alternative tests, there are also newer and more specialized tests that can be used to check testosterone levels. One example is the dried blood spot test, which involves collecting a small amount of blood on a filter paper and measuring testosterone levels from this sample. This test deca mast cycle is particularly useful for individuals who have difficulty providing a traditional blood sample, such as children or individuals with a fear of needles. Leading a sedentary lifestyle may exacerbate testosterone declines in men as they age, according to a 2024 review published in Frontiers in Aging.