What are normal testosterone levels by age?
That’s a nuanced question, but we’ll break things down below and show you exactly how to measure and compare your testosterone levels as you get older.
Most men aged 18-30 years old produce anywhere from 300 – 1200 ng / dl of testosterone. This is the healthy, normal range where men’s sexual health, energy levels and overall sense of well-being are maximized.
Unfortunately, most men start to produce less testosterone every year, starting around age 30.
It’s normal for men’s testosterone levels to decline over time. However, there are plenty of strategies that older men can use to raise their testosterone levels, including natural solutions and testosterone replacement therapy.
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What is Testosterone?
Testosterone is one of the most important hormones in the human body. It is known as the primary sex hormone in men, as it is produced in the testes and it plays a key role in men’s growth and development.
Healthy testosterone levels are necessary for building muscle mass and strength, maintaining a strong immune system, and avoiding chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
Testosterone is also responsible for many of men’s secondary sexual characteristics, such as broad shoulders and facial hair, and it plays a key role in men’s sexual health.
It can be very difficult for a man to live a happy, healthy life with low testosterone levels.
Research shows that both older and younger men can suffer from hypogonadism, or low testosterone levels. This often leads to a number of chronic diseases, such as metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes [1, 2].
Even some of the most physically fit men, such as firefighters, are susceptible to the effects of low testosterone levels, such as cardiovascular disease [3].
You may be wondering, how does one hormone like testosterone play such a critical role in men’s health?
The truth is testosterone acts like a signal in the human body.When there is a healthy amount of testosterone floating in your bloodstream, it tells your body to have a lean, athletic physique and to fight off chronic illnesses.
If your testosterone levels fall below the normal, healthy range, then that signal starts to fade away and chronic illnesses are more difficult to fight off.
Research shows that men with low testosterone levels are at greater risk for sarcopenia, osteoporosis, obesity and many other metabolic illnesses [4, 5, 6].
Of course, testosterone also plays a huge role in men’s sexual health. Older and younger men with lower testosterone levels often suffer from poor sexual health and performance [7, 8]. Low-T is a medical condition with many negative health consequences.
The good news is there are natural strategies, as well as many medical interventions, that you can use to raise your testosterone levels.
For example, research shows that testosterone replacement therapy is a safe and effective way to raise men’s testosterone levels.
Men who do raise their testosterone levels to the higher-end of the normal range experience many health benefits, including improved body composition, enhanced sexual performance and reduced risk for many chronic diseases [9, 10, 11].
Normal Testosterone Levels in Men
Men must produce a certain amount of testosterone in order to maintain optimal health. So what are normal testosterone levels in men?
The normal range for testosterone is about 300 – 1200 ng / dl, or nanograms per deciliter [12–13].
Most younger men between 18-30 years old fall into this range. However, men usually start to produce less testosterone every year starting around age 30.
This is one of the reasons that older men have less energy and lose their youthful vigor: their testosterone levels are slowly declining.
Unfortunately, many men today are suffering from hypogonadism, or low testosterone levels. Researchers have pointed out that the average testosterone levels in men have been declining about 1% per year sense the 1950s.
This is a big deal, because low testosterone levels are associated with many negative health conditions.
Research shows that most men start to experience symptoms of sexual dysfunction when their testosterone levels drop below 300 [14]. However, many men start to experience symptoms even when they are in the lower end of the normal range.
Most men should strive to be towards the upper end of the normal range of testosterone levels.
After all, men with testosterone levels in the high-end of the normal range experience many health benefits, such as improved muscle mass and bone density, decreased body fat, increased energy levels and sexual performance, as well as enhanced resistance to many chronic diseases [9, 10, 11].
Even older men can benefit from raising their testosterone levels to the high-end of the normal range.
It may be “normal” for men’s testosterone levels to slowly decline after age 30. However, that doesn’t mean it’s a good thing. Men of all ages can benefit from taking the time to optimize their testosterone levels.
Normal Testosterone Levels in Women
Women produce less testosterone than men. However, it still plays a huge role in their overall health and well-being.
Women have androgen receptors located all over their body, including in their muscles, cardiovascular system and skin [15, 16].
Research shows that healthy testosterone levels helps women avoid heart disease, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes, plus many other chronic health conditions [17, 18]. If you want to avoid these chronic diseases, then you must make sure that your testosterone levels stay in the healthy, normal range.
So what do normal testosterone levels in women look like?
The normal range of testosterone in women is anywhere from 15-70 ng / dL, or nanograms per deciliter. Most women between the ages of 18-50 fall in this range [19–20].
This is obviously much lower than the normal range for men, which is 300 – 1200 ng / dl.
This makes sense, as testosterone is responsible for men’s secondary sexual characteristics such as increased muscle mass and body hair. However, testosterone still plays an important role in women’s health.
It is very important for most women to maintain testosterone levels of at least 15 ng / dl.
Women who have a total testosterone reading below 15 ng / dL often experience some of the signs and symptoms of low testosterone including mobility restrictions, frailty, osteoporosis and reduced athletic performance [21–22].
This is obviously bad news for anyone who is interested in living a happy, healthy life.
Testosterone Levels By Age | The A-Z Guide
There are main two ways to measure testosterone levels in men: total testosterone and free testosterone.
In this section we are going to talk about total testosterone levels, as it is by far the most common way to measure a man’s testosterone levels. In fact, when someone says that they have low testosterone, 9 out of 10 times they are talking about their total testosterone levels.
Your total testosterone is a measurement of all of the testosterone molecules that are floating around in your bloodstream at any given time.
Measuring your total testosterone makes sense, as it gives you a good idea of how much testosterone your body is producing at a time.
The normal range for testosterone levels is between 300 – 1200 ng / dl [12–13]. This is the amount of testosterone that young, healthy men typically produce.
Most men start to produce less testosterone starting around the age of 30. Therefore, the average testosterone levels for older men are going to be lower than they are for younger men.
Here are the average testosterone levels for men of different ages [12–13]:
- Teenage males: 300 – 1200 ng / dL
- Men in their 20s: 300 – 1200 ng / dL
- Men in their 30s: 274 – 1075 ng / dL
- Men in their 40s: 252 – 916 ng / dL
- Men in their 50s: 215 – 878 ng / dL
- Men in their 60s: 196 – 859 ng / dL
- Men in their 70s: 156 – 819 ng / dL
It’s normal for men’s testosterone levels start to slowly decline after age 30 or so. However, that doesn’t mean that it is optimal.
As we have already discussed, research shows that men with hypogonadism, or low testosterone levels, are more likely to have cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and other chronic illnesses.
Research shows that the total testosterone reference ranges are declining for men of all ages. In other words, men of all ages produce less testosterone today than they did 10, 20 or 30 years ago [23, 24, 25].
This is a much bigger problem than it sounds.
Today, many medical professionals believe that total testosterone levels as low as 200 ng / dl are “normal” for a man in his 20s. In reality, this is well below the normal healthy range for an adult male.
For example, research shows that men with testosterone readings below 300 ng / dl are extremely likely to suffer symptoms of impaired sexual health, such as erectile dysfunction and infertility.
The truth is more younger and older men are suffering from low testosterone levels than ever before [26, 27, 28, 29].
Here are some of the biggest signs of low testosterone in men:
- Reduced muscle mass [30–31]
- Male infertility and reduced sexual performance [32–33]
- Depression [34–35]
- Cognitive function [36–37]
- Diabetes, metabolic health and obesity [38–39]
- Impaired cardiovascular health [40–41]
One of the most obvious signs of low testosterone levels is reduced muscle mass.
Healthy testosterone levels are absolutely essential for building and maintaining muscle mass. Men with lower testosterone levels often have less muscle mass, and have a harder time recovering from intense workouts.
A recent meta-analysis shows that older men with low testosterone levels are even at risk for a condition called sarcopenia [30].
This is where your muscles begin to waste away, and you no longer have the strength to perform normal daily activities.
Men with impaired testosterone levels are also at greater risk for depression and impaired cognitive performance.
The truth is testosterone plays an important role in regulating your mood. Some men feel like they have lost their youthful vigor as they get older. This is a normal, but unfortunate side effect of declining testosterone levels [34–35].
The good news is there are many strategies that men can use to keep their testosterone levels in the normal, healthy range of 300 ng / dl for their entire life.
We will talk about these strategies more towards the end of this article.
Free Testosterone Levels By Age
As I mentioned earlier, there are two main ways to measure testosterone levels: free testosterone and total testosterone.
Total testosterone measures the total amount of testosterone that is floating around in your bloodstream at any given time.
This is the most popular way to measure testosterone levels in men. However, the free testosterone test might be an even more important measurement for men with signs of low-T.
Free testosterone measures the amount of “active” testosterone in your bloodstream.
About 98% of the testosterone in your blood is bound to one of two proteins: sex protein binding globulin (SHGB), or albumin. These proteins temporarily inactivate the testosterone molecule. The other 2% of testosterone that is not bound to a protein is called your “free testosterone.”
In other words, your free testosterone measures the active testosterone molecules that are actually binding to the cells of your body and exerting their physiological effects.
Many researchers believe that your free testosterone is even more important than your total testosterone. After all, some people have normal total testosterone levels but low free testosterone.
In this case, they would still experience symptoms of low-T, because there is not enough active testosterone in their bloodstream.
So what are normal free testosterone levels?
Normal free testosterone levels in healthy, adult men range from 5.25 – 20.7 ng / dL, or nanograms per deciliter of blood. This is significantly lower from total testosterone, which ranges from 300 – 1200 ng / dL.
Here is what normal free testosterone levels look like for men of different ages [42, 43]:
- Teenage males: 5.25 – 20.7 ng / dL
- Men in their 20s: 5.25 – 20.7 ng / dL
- Men in their 30s: 4.65 – 19.0 ng / dL
- Men in their 40s: 4.26 – 17.1 ng / dL
- Men in their 50s: 3.87 – 15.6 ng / dL
- Men in their 60s: 3.47 – 13.9 ng / dL
- Men in their 70s: 3.08 – 12.2 ng / dL
As you can see, men’s free testosterone levels start to slowly decline after age 30 or so.
This is consistent with the trend for total testosterone levels, where men in their 30s start to produce total testosterone on average.
Free testosterone levels play a very important role in the health of men and women. Research shows that many unwanted health conditions, such as sarcopenia, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, cancer and prostate disease are caused by low free testosterone levels [44, 45, 46].
In many cases, men with low free testosterone levels but normal total testosterone levels will require medical assistance to address their symptoms of low-T.
The good news is these interventions tend to be less complicated, as the individual is already producing a healthy amount of testosterone.
The only thing that needs to be addressed is the percentage of testosterone that is being inactivated by sex hormone binding globulin or albumin.
How To Increase Testosterone Levels Naturally
There are many ways for men to naturally raise their testosterone levels.
These strategies appeal to men who are already in the normal-range for testosterone levels and only want / need to raise their testosterone levels a little bit. They also appeal to athletes who compete in drug-tested sports, and individuals are nervous about the idea of talking to their doctor about testosterone replacement therapy.
Here are some of the most effective ways to naturally raise your testosterone levels:
- Losing weight [47]
- Resistance training [48, 49]
- Sexual activity [50, 51]
- Sleep [52, 53]
- Vitamin D [54]
- Ecdysterone [55, 56]
Research shows that obesity is one of the primary causes of low testosterone levels in men [47]. This makes perfect sense, there is an enzyme in your fat cells that converts some of the testosterone in your bloodstream into estrogen.
The more body fat you have, the more active this enzyme will be.
Losing weight is a simple way to raise your testosterone levels, but it is not the only way.
Research shows that starting a resistance training program, engaging in sexual activity, getting plenty of sleep each night, and even supplementing your diet with extra vitamin D are all effective ways to raise your bodies natural testosterone levels [48, 50, 52, 54].
Of course, there are natural nutritional supplements that you can take to relieve some of the signs and symptoms of low testosterone levels.
One of the most popular natural supplements on the market today is called ecdysterone.
Ecdysterone is a natural substance that is found in many plants, including spinach and quinoa. Ecdysterone is unique because it’s chemical structure is very similar to testosterone.
Researchers have found that ecdysterone improves athletic performance as much or more than many steroids. As an added bonus, this sports supplement has zero side effects. Some studies even show that it can lower blood pressure [55, 56].
Here is where you can learn more:
How To Raise Your Testosterone With TRT
Testosterone replacement therapy is one of the most popular treatment options for men suffering from low testosterone levels.
With testosterone therapy, you are supplementing the testosterone your body natural produces with a prescription testosterone medication. This allows you to raise your testosterone levels to the high end of the healthy, normal range.
Some people are afraid to talk to their doctor about testosterone replacement therapy. Many people think that it must be dangerous to use a testosterone medication, or that there must be significant side effects.
Both of these statements are false.
When performed under the supervision of a doctor, testosterone replacement therapy is an extremely safe and effective treatment option.
Several meta-analyses performed in the last few years show that testosterone replacement therapy is a very reliable way to raise men’s testosterone levels, and to eliminate men’s symptoms of low-T [57, 58, 59]. Other literature reviews show that there are virtually no side effects for testosterone therapy [60, 61].
Some men may need to donate blood 3-4 times per year to prevent their blood from getting too thick, or take an extra medication to keep their estrogen levels in the normal range. However, these issues are easily addressed by your doctor.
He or she will monitor your bloodwork to make sure that all of your lab values are within the normal ranges.
Some people are hesitant to talk to their doctor about testosterone replacement therapy because they don’t want to inject testosterone into their bodies using insulin needles.
It’s true that injectable forms of testosterone are still used by many patients. However, many doctors now use testosterone gels or creams that can be rubbed directly onto your skin [62, 63].
Many patients prefer the testosterone creams, as they are painless and very easy to apply.
The Best Online TRT Clinic
Online TRT clinics are great for anyone who wants to get started with testosterone replacement therapy, but doesn’t have time to drive to a physical clinic.
With an online TRT clinic, you have the opportunity to talk to your doctor right from the comfort of your own home. Your doctor will communicate with you using skype, zoom and other telehealth technologies.
Here’s how online One of the most popular online TRT clinics is called Fountain TRT. This company was founded by a board certified urologist with decades of experience helping men who are suffering from low testosterone.
One of the reasons we like Fountain TRT is they have a simple process that they use with all of their patients:
Step #1: Fill out an online questionnaire
When you go to the Fountain TRT website, the first thing they have you do is fill out a comprehensive online questionnaire.
This questionnaire lets you describe the signs and symptoms that you are experiencing, such as low energy levels and reduced sexual performance.
Step #2: Talk to your online TRT doctor about your signs and symptoms
After you submit your online questionnaire, one of the online TRT doctors at Fountain TRT will schedule a time with you to discuss your symptoms.
You will have the chance to ask any questions that you have about your symptoms and about the TRT treatment process.
Step #3: Perform a blood test at a trusted lab testing company
If your online TRT doctor agrees that you may be suffering from low testosterone, then he or she will schedule a time for you to visit one of their trusted third-party lab testing companies.
This company will perform a blood test, so that your doctor knows your exact testosterone levles.
Step #4: Talk to your doctor about your lab results
After a few days the lab company will send the results of your blood test to your doctor.
After that, your doctor will schedule a time with you to discuss the results of your test, and whether or not testosterone replacement therapy is right for you.
Step #5: Have your TRT medication delivered right to your door
If your doctor agrees that you are a good candidate for testosterone replacement therapy, then a prescription testosterone medication will be delivered right to your door.
Fountain TRT uses a testosterone cream with all of their patients, so you don’t have to worry about needles or injections. You just rub the cream on your shoulder once per day and you are all set.
Your doctor will also explain exeactly how to use the testosterone cream, and how to perform your follow-up tests to make sure that all of your blood values are right where they should be.
Overall, Fountain TRT is one of the best online TRT clinics in the United States. Here is where you can learn more:
Testosterone Levels by Age | Verdict
Testosterone is sometimes called the “fountain of youth.”
Men with healthy testosterone levels are often able to maintain their youthful energy well into their old age. On the other hand, men with low testosterone levels often suffer from chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity.
Younger men should have testosterone levels in the 300 – 1200 ng / dl range. This is the normal range for a young, healthy adult.
Most men start to produce less testosterone after age 30, so the normal range for men starts to decline in their 30s, 40s and 50s.
It may be normal for men’s testosterone levels to decline as they get older. However, that doesn’t mean it’s optimal. The truth is older men can regain their “fountain of youth” using testosterone replacement therapy and other medical interventions.
If you are suffing from some of the signs and symptoms of low testosterone, then the first step is to talk to your doctor.
You can do this at an in-person clinic, or at one of the many online TRT clinics, such as Fountain TRT.