Total Testosterone (TT)

What is Total Testosterone?

Total testosterone measures both free (active) and bound testosterone in your blood. It’s the primary male sex hormone responsible for developing male characteristics, muscle mass, bone density, and libido in men, while also playing important roles in women’s health.

Why is it Tested?

Doctors order testosterone tests to evaluate symptoms of low T (fatigue, low libido, muscle loss), investigate infertility, assess delayed or early puberty, and monitor hormone replacement therapy. In women, it helps diagnose PCOS and other hormonal disorders.

Normal Ranges

Reference ranges vary significantly by gender:

Men: 300–1000 ng/dL (3.0–10.0 ng/mL)
Women: 15–70 ng/dL (0.15–0.70 ng/mL)

Morning levels are typically highest. Individual symptoms matter more than absolute numbers within normal ranges.

Reference ranges vary by authority. Track yours across multiple standards with automatic unit conversions in LabsVault.

What do Abnormal Results Mean?

Abnormal results are not a diagnosis. Always discuss your results with a qualified healthcare provider before making any medical decisions.

Low Testosterone

In men, low levels may indicate:

Hypogonadism (primary or secondary)
Aging-related decline
Obesity or metabolic syndrome
Chronic illness or stress
Certain medications

High Testosterone

Elevated levels may suggest:

Anabolic steroid use
Testicular or adrenal tumors
Early puberty in children
PCOS in women

How to Track Over Time

Testosterone levels naturally decline with age (about 1% per year after age 30 in men). Tracking trends helps distinguish normal aging from pathological hypogonadism and monitors treatment effectiveness. Morning samples provide the most consistent measurements.

Total Testosterone