High or Low Testosterone Levels? What Your Blood Test Says About Your Health

Alyn Team
Reading Time: mins
March 24, 2025
Key Takeaways
  • Testosterone affects energy, mood, muscle, and sex drive in both men and women.
  • Levels can change due to age, stress, sleep, or medications.
  • High or low testosterone may cause symptoms, but not always.
  • Simple habits like exercise, sleep, and diet can help support balance.
  • Always follow up with a doctor if your levels are out of range.
  • AlynMD helps you track and optimize your testosterone with expert support.

Testosterone

Testosterone measures the level of a key hormone that affects muscle, mood, energy, and sex drive in both men and women.
Normal Range
For Men - 300–1,000 ng/dL
For Women - 15–70 ng/dL

What Is Testosterone and What Does It Do?

Testosterone is a hormone that helps control muscle mass, energy, mood, and sex drive. It plays an important role in overall health for both men and women.
Testosterone helps regulate muscle growth, energy levels, mood, bone strength, and sex drive. It’s part of the body’s hormone system and plays a key role in reproductive health. Changes in testosterone levels can suggest issues with hormone balance, aging, or certain medical conditions.
Testosterone levels in a blood test can help assess hormone balance and overall health. It may be used to monitor issues like fatigue, low sex drive, or changes in muscle strength and mood.

What It Means If Your Testosterone Is High or Low

High Testosterone

High testosterone levels can be linked to hormone imbalances, steroid use, or certain medical conditions like PCOS in women. It may cause symptoms such as acne, mood changes, or increased body hair.

Low Testosterone

Low testosterone levels may indicate a hormone deficiency, aging-related decline, or an underlying medical issue. It can lead to symptoms like low energy, reduced sex drive, or mood changes.

When to Talk To a Doctor About Testosterone

If your testosterone levels are high or low, or you’re experiencing symptoms like fatigue or mood changes, it’s important to speak with your doctor. AlynMD can help you track, understand, and optimize your biomarkers through expert guidance and an easy-to-use app — Optimize your Health

Normal Range for Testosterone

A "normal range" for testosterone refers to the levels that are typically seen in healthy people of a similar age and sex. These ranges can vary slightly depending on the lab, the testing method, and individual factors like age or overall health. It's important to remember that being a little above or below the normal range doesn’t always mean something is wrong. Your healthcare provider will look at your full health picture to help interpret the results.
300–1,000 ng/dL
For Women - 15–70 ng/dL

What can influence this range?

Testosterone levels can be affected by several everyday factors, including age, sex, time of day the test was taken, and certain medications. Things like stress, hydration, and even slight differences between labs or testing methods can also impact results. That’s why it’s important to look at lab values in context rather than focusing on a single number.

What Causes Low Testosterone

Common Causes of Low Testosterone

Low testosterone levels can happen for many different reasons, and they don’t always mean something is wrong. It’s important to look at your overall health and symptoms to understand what the numbers might mean for you.

Here are some common reasons why testosterone might be low on a blood test:

  • Natural aging: Testosterone levels often decrease as people get older, especially in men, and this is a normal part of aging.
  • Chronic stress: Long-term stress can affect hormone production and lead to lower testosterone levels over time.
  • Poor sleep or lack of rest: Not getting enough quality sleep can interfere with how your body makes hormones.
  • Certain medications or health treatments: Some drugs, including opioids and steroids, can lower testosterone as a side effect.
  • Underlying health conditions: Conditions like obesity, diabetes, or issues with the pituitary gland can affect hormone levels.

Symptoms of Low Testosterone

Low testosterone levels can cause symptoms, but not everyone will experience them the same way—or at all. When they do happen, the signs are often subtle and can build up over time.

Here are some symptoms that may be linked to low testosterone levels:

  • Low energy or fatigue: You might feel more tired than usual, even with enough rest.
  • Decreased sex drive: A drop in interest in sexual activity is a common sign.
  • Mood changes: Some people feel more irritable, anxious, or down than usual.
  • Loss of muscle or strength: You may notice it’s harder to build or keep muscle.
  • Trouble concentrating: Some people report feeling mentally foggy or less focused.

How to Raise Testosterone

Raising low testosterone levels depends on what's causing the change, but healthy lifestyle habits may offer support. It’s important to talk with a doctor before trying any treatments or making major changes.

Here are a few general strategies that may help support healthy testosterone levels:

  • Eat nutrient-rich foods: A balanced diet with enough protein, healthy fats, and key vitamins like zinc and vitamin D can support hormone health.
  • Exercise regularly: Strength training and moderate cardio can help maintain healthy testosterone levels.
  • Get quality sleep: Aim for 7–9 hours of restful sleep each night, as hormones are regulated during deep sleep.
  • Reduce stress: Chronic stress can interfere with hormone balance, so finding ways to relax—like meditation or hobbies—can be helpful.
  • Limit alcohol and avoid smoking: These habits can impact hormone production and overall health.
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What Causes High Testosterone

Common Causes of High Testosterone

High testosterone levels can happen for many different reasons and aren’t always a sign of a serious problem. Here are some common factors that might cause levels to rise.

Here are some common reasons why testosterone might be high on a blood test:

  • Testosterone therapy: Taking testosterone supplements or injections can raise levels above the normal range. This is often done under medical supervision for low testosterone.
  • Certain medications: Some steroids or hormone-related drugs can increase testosterone levels as a side effect.
  • Ovarian or adrenal issues (in women): In women, conditions affecting the ovaries or adrenal glands can sometimes cause unusually high testosterone.
  • Tumors (rare): In rare cases, a tumor in the adrenal glands or testes/ovaries can increase testosterone production.
  • Lab timing or error: Testosterone levels naturally fluctuate during the day, and testing at a certain time or lab variations can affect results.

Symptoms of High Testosterone

High testosterone levels don’t always cause symptoms, but when they do, they can affect how you feel or look. Here are some signs that may be related, depending on your overall health and hormone balance.

Here are some symptoms that might be linked to high testosterone levels:

  • Acne or oily skin: Extra testosterone can increase oil production, leading to breakouts.
  • Increased body or facial hair: Especially in women, higher levels may cause more noticeable hair growth.
  • Mood changes or irritability: Shifts in hormone levels can sometimes affect your mood.
  • Changes in sex drive: Some people may notice a stronger sex drive, though this can vary.
  • Headaches or trouble sleeping: These may show up in some cases but aren’t always directly related.

How to Lower Testosterone

There are general wellness strategies—like managing stress, improving sleep, and adjusting diet—that may help lower high testosterone levels, depending on the cause. It’s always best to talk with a healthcare provider before making changes or starting any treatment.

Here are a few strategies that might help support healthy testosterone levels:

  • Eat a balanced diet: Focus on whole foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats to support hormone balance.
  • Stay active: Regular exercise can help regulate hormone levels and support overall health.
  • Manage stress: High stress can impact hormones, so practices like meditation, deep breathing, or relaxing hobbies can be helpful.
  • Get enough sleep: Aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep each night, as poor sleep can affect hormone production.
  • Follow up on blood work: Regular check-ins with your healthcare provider can help track changes and guide next steps if needed.

When to Follow Up or Get Additional Testing

When to Follow Up With a Doctor

If your testosterone levels are outside the normal range or you’re noticing symptoms, it’s a good idea to follow up with your doctor. They can help you understand what the results mean and guide you on next steps if needed.

Here are a few signs or situations when it’s a good idea to speak with a healthcare provider about your testosterone levels:

  • You’re feeling unusually tired or low on energy: Persistent fatigue may be linked to hormone changes.
  • You’ve noticed changes in mood, focus, or sex drive: Shifts in these areas can be signs of low or high testosterone.
  • Your lab results are outside the normal range: Even if you feel fine, it’s worth discussing with a provider.
  • You’ve had more than one abnormal result: Consistently high or low levels may need a closer look.
  • Other hormone or health markers are also abnormal: Patterns across multiple tests can give important clues.

What Else to Test or Ask About

If your testosterone levels are high or low, it may be helpful to explore other hormone or metabolic tests to get a fuller picture of your health. Looking at things like thyroid function, cortisol, or blood sugar levels can offer valuable insight into what’s going on.

Here are a few related blood markers or areas to ask your doctor about if testosterone levels are abnormal:

  • LH (Luteinizing Hormone): This hormone tells your body to produce testosterone, so checking it can help find the root cause of a hormone imbalance.
  • FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone): Often tested with LH, it helps assess how well the reproductive system is working.
  • Estradiol (a form of estrogen): Testosterone and estrogen are closely linked, especially in men, and imbalances can affect symptoms.
  • SHBG (Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin): This protein affects how much testosterone is freely available for the body to use.
  • Thyroid hormones (like TSH or Free T3/T4): Thyroid function impacts metabolism and energy, and imbalances can mimic or worsen low testosterone symptoms.

What Not to Assume From a Single Result

One abnormal testosterone result doesn’t always mean there’s a problem. Levels can vary based on the time of day, lab methods, or other factors—so it’s important to look at the full picture and follow up with additional testing if needed.

Here are a few important reminders to keep in mind when interpreting lab results:

  • Lab ranges can vary: Different labs may use slightly different methods or reference ranges, so results aren’t always directly comparable.
  • Timing matters: Testosterone levels naturally fluctuate throughout the day, often peaking in the morning.
  • Hydration and recent activity can affect results: Dehydration, exercise, or even stress before the test can influence levels.
  • One result isn’t the whole story: A single abnormal result doesn’t always mean something is wrong—it’s just one piece of your health picture.
  • Follow-up testing may be needed: Your doctor may recommend repeating the test or checking related markers to get a clearer understanding.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Disclaimer and Medical Information
The information in this article is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your health, medical conditions, or laboratory results. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read here.

AlynMD does not provide emergency medical services. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate medical care.
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