Assessing Normal Testosterone Levels in Adults
Assessing what are the normal testosterone levels in healthy adults is not something that has a clear cut answer. There has yet to be an across the board decision in the medical community that addresses this situation. It is often up to a doctor to decide if a person is producing enough testosterone for his or her needs, and this decision is made up of a number of factors, including:
- Age
- Gender
- Blood analysis of testosterone levels
- Symptoms and severity
- Overall health
- Past illnesses or injuries
- Chronic medical conditions
- Lifestyle habits
It is difficult to say what are normal testosterone levels for a particular individual without addressing these issues. For example, a brain injury could begin a system-wide decline in hormone production that could spiral down to the testes or ovaries and affect the secretion of testosterone.
In each of the two sections below, we will provide a clear normal testosterone levels chart that will give a general guideline that can be followed when assessing whether or not a person has Low T that is affecting his or her health and vitality.
Normal Testosterone Levels for Males
Perhaps the biggest problem that occurs when asking what is a normal testosterone level if you are a male is that the range can be quite wide. On top of that, each lab sets its own range so the discrepancy can span an even further distance.
Here is a chart of average normal testosterone levels in men by age:
| AGE | RANGE OF FREE TESTOSTERONE | RANGE OF TOTAL TESTOSTERONE | NORMAL TOTAL TESTOSTERONE |
| 30 – 39 | 8.7 – 25.1 pg/mL | 219 – 1009 ng/dL | 600 – 675 ng/dL |
| 40 – 49 | 6.8 – 21.5 pg/mL | 201 – 993 ng/dL | 500 – 550 ng/dL |
| 50 – 59 | 7.2 – 24.0 pg/mL | 170 – 918 ng/dL | 400 – 450 ng/dL |
| 60 & over | 6.6 – 18.1 pg/mL | 156 – 700 ng/dL | 300 – 350 ng/dL |
Part of the problem that we find is that normal male testosterone levels do not provide a clear picture of what is going on in the body. For example, in some studies, men with levels under 550 ng/dL have presented symptoms of Low T that are interfering with their lives. That is why the aim of most hormone replacement doctors is around the 550 ng/dL level with testosterone treatment.
Normal Testosterone Levels for Females
Normal female testosterone levels are naturally going to be much lower than those of men. A woman produces about 1/20th the amount of this androgen hormone than her male counterparts. Too much testosterone in women can result in a deepening of the voice, facial hair growth, and clitoral enlargement. Polycystic ovarian syndrome may also occur in women who have too much testosterone circulating in their bodies.
What is a normal testosterone level for a woman? The ideal range of total testosterone for adult women is between 15 and 70 ng/dL.
Low T is typically considered to be less than 20 ng/dL for women over 50, and less than 25 ng/dL for those less than 50 years of age.
Free testosterone levels below 1.0 pg/mL for the over 50 woman, and below 1.5 pg/mL for the under 50 woman are also subject for concern.
Do not fixate on a number when asking what is normal, testosterone level testing is only a small part of the process of determining who has Low T. The hormone replacement specialist will take into consideration overall health and the symptoms that are present when making this decision.
Please contact National HRT to learn more about how testosterone production and Low T can be affecting your life. Free consultations are provided to men and women throughout the US.
National HRT Staff
Please note that the information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.