Testosterone Levels by Age: Normal Ranges for Men & Women

Understanding normal testosterone levels is crucial for assessing your hormonal health. This comprehensive guide breaks down testosterone ranges by age, explains what's considered normal, and helps you determine if testing might be beneficial.

Understanding Testosterone and Its Importance

Testosterone is a critical hormone that plays essential roles in both male and female physiology. In men, testosterone is produced primarily by the testes and drives the development of secondary sexual characteristics, maintains muscle and bone mass, supports cardiovascular health, and contributes to mood and cognitive function. Women naturally produce testosterone in much smaller quantities, primarily from the ovaries and adrenal glands, yet this hormone remains important for bone density, sexual function, and overall well-being.

Testosterone levels aren't static—they fluctuate naturally throughout the day, across seasons, and change significantly with age. Understanding where your levels should fall is the first step toward recognizing potential health issues or determining if testosterone replacement therapy might be appropriate.

Testosterone Levels in Men by Age

Men's testosterone levels follow a predictable pattern across the lifespan. During puberty, testosterone rises dramatically, supporting muscle development, voice changes, sexual development, and the growth spurt characteristic of adolescence. Peak testosterone levels typically occur in the late teens to early twenties, when healthy young men often measure between 400 and 1000 ng/dL (13.9 to 34.7 nmol/L).

After age 30, testosterone begins a gradual natural decline of approximately 0.5 to 1 percent per year. This decline is normal and expected in healthy men. A 50-year-old man might typically have testosterone levels around 350-750 ng/dL, while a 70-year-old man might average 250-650 ng/dL. However, significant variation exists among individuals, and some men maintain robust testosterone levels well into older age through exercise, healthy diet, and good sleep habits.

The reference range for healthy adult men is typically considered 300-1000 ng/dL. Levels below 300 ng/dL are generally classified as low testosterone or hypogonadism. It's important to note that testosterone levels <200 ng/dL almost always indicate a condition requiring medical evaluation.

Testosterone Levels in Women by Age

Women's testosterone levels are naturally much lower than men's, but the hormone remains biologically important. Adult women typically have testosterone levels between 15 and 70 ng/dL (0.5 to 2.4 nmol/L), varying significantly based on menstrual cycle phase. Free testosterone in women typically ranges from 0.0-4.2 pg/mL. Levels fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle, generally peaking around ovulation.

Like men, women experience a decline in testosterone production with age. During reproductive years, testosterone supports sexual function, bone density, muscle maintenance, and mood regulation. After menopause, when ovarian hormone production drops dramatically, many women notice a further decline in testosterone. Post-menopausal women typically have testosterone levels in the lower range, around 10-30 ng/dL or sometimes even lower.

For women, the clinical significance of testosterone deficiency is less well-defined than in men, but symptoms such as decreased libido, fatigue, and reduced sexual satisfaction may indicate inadequate testosterone levels. Some functional medicine practitioners recommend optimizing women's testosterone levels during menopause, though this remains somewhat controversial in conventional medicine.

Diurnal Variation and Testing Timing

One critical factor that many people overlook is the circadian rhythm of testosterone. Testosterone follows a pronounced diurnal pattern—it rises and falls predictably throughout the day. In most men, testosterone peaks between 7 and 10 AM, then gradually declines throughout the day, reaching its nadir (lowest point) between 8 PM and midnight.

This variation is significant—morning levels can be 20-30 percent higher than evening levels. This is why medical professionals recommend testing testosterone in the morning, specifically between 7 and 10 AM, to obtain the most accurate baseline measurement. If you test in the afternoon or evening, your results may appear artificially low even if your actual hormone status is normal.

Additionally, testosterone levels can vary from day to day by 10-15 percent due to factors like sleep quality, stress, exercise, and general health. For this reason, doctors often recommend obtaining multiple measurements, ideally on separate days, before making a diagnosis of low testosterone or beginning treatment.

Age-by-Age Testosterone Reference Ranges

Here's a breakdown of typical testosterone ranges across different age groups for men. Keep in mind that these are general guidelines, and your individual healthy range may vary:

Teens (13-19 years): 100-1200 ng/dL, rapidly increasing during early puberty

Young Adults (20-29 years): 400-1000 ng/dL, peak testosterone years

Adults (30-39 years): 350-950 ng/dL, gradual decline beginning

Middle-aged (40-49 years): 300-900 ng/dL

Older Adults (50-59 years): 250-850 ng/dL

Seniors (60+ years): 150-700 ng/dL

These ranges represent what is considered normal or healthy for each age group. A testosterone level of 300 ng/dL might be considered low for a 25-year-old but normal for a 65-year-old, which is why age-adjusted reference ranges are important for interpretation.

Free Testosterone vs. Total Testosterone

When you get testosterone tested, your results typically show total testosterone, which includes testosterone bound to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and albumin, plus free testosterone. Only free testosterone can actually interact with cells and produce biological effects, making it arguably more clinically relevant than total testosterone.

In adult men, total testosterone typically ranges from 300-1000 ng/dL, while free testosterone normally falls between 9-30 pg/mL or 0.3-1.0 nmol/L depending on the laboratory and units used. Some men have normal total testosterone but low free testosterone, which can occur if SHBG is elevated due to thyroid disease, liver disease, or other conditions.

For women, free testosterone is more commonly measured clinically because total testosterone is so low that it's harder to detect accurately. Normal free testosterone in women typically ranges from 0.0-4.2 pg/mL. A comprehensive testosterone assessment often includes both total and free testosterone measurements, along with SHBG, to get a complete picture of hormonal status.

When to Consider Testosterone Testing

Not everyone needs testosterone testing, but certain situations warrant evaluation. You should consider getting tested if you experience persistent symptoms that might indicate low testosterone. For men, these include fatigue or low energy that doesn't improve with rest, decreased interest in sex or erectile dysfunction, reduced muscle mass or difficulty building muscle despite exercise, increased body fat or difficulty losing weight, mood changes including depression or irritability, and hot flashes or night sweats (less common but possible in men).

Women might consider testing if they experience unexplained fatigue, decreased libido or sexual satisfaction, mood changes around menopause, loss of muscle mass, or persistent cognitive changes like brain fog. Additionally, men over 50 may benefit from baseline testosterone testing as part of routine health assessment, and women transitioning through menopause may find it helpful to understand their hormone status.

Certain medical conditions and medications can also warrant testing. Diabetes, obesity, sleep apnea, chronic illness, and the use of certain medications (glucocorticoids, opioids, some antipsychotics) can all lower testosterone. If you take these medications or have these conditions, discussing testosterone testing with your doctor is reasonable.

What Causes Low Testosterone at Different Ages

Low testosterone in younger men often indicates a primary problem with the testes (primary hypogonadism) or with the pituitary/hypothalamus (secondary hypogonadism). Genetic conditions like Klinefelter syndrome, prior testicular injury or surgery, chemotherapy, infection, or autoimmune disease can cause primary hypogonadism. Secondary hypogonadism in younger men might result from pituitary tumors, trauma, inflammation, or genetic conditions affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary axis.

In older men, low testosterone is more commonly related to age-related decline combined with lifestyle factors. Obesity, poor sleep, chronic stress, sedentary lifestyle, metabolic syndrome, and chronic illness all contribute to lower testosterone. Additionally, certain medications become more common with age and can suppress testosterone—these include corticosteroids, some antidepressants, and pain medications.

In women, low testosterone during reproductive years might indicate polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), adrenal disorders, or other endocrine problems. After menopause, declining testosterone is expected but can be more pronounced in some women than others. Women with surgically removed ovaries experience a dramatic testosterone drop.

Natural Ways to Support Healthy Testosterone Levels

Before considering medical intervention, understand that lifestyle modifications can significantly impact testosterone levels. Regular resistance training and high-intensity interval training are particularly effective for maintaining and boosting testosterone. Studies consistently show that men who exercise regularly maintain higher testosterone levels than sedentary men of the same age.

Sleep quality and duration profoundly affect testosterone. Men who consistently get 7-9 hours of quality sleep typically have testosterone levels 10-15 percent higher than sleep-deprived men. Conversely, chronic sleep deprivation is one of the fastest ways to lower testosterone. Addressing sleep disorders like sleep apnea can dramatically improve hormone levels.

Stress management matters considerably. Chronic stress elevates cortisol, which directly suppresses testosterone production. Regular meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, and stress reduction activities can help maintain hormonal balance. Weight management is also critical—obesity is strongly associated with low testosterone, and even modest weight loss in overweight men can significantly raise testosterone levels.

Nutrition plays a supporting role. Adequate vitamin D, zinc, magnesium, and selenium are important micronutrients for testosterone production. A balanced diet with sufficient protein, healthy fats, and micronutrients supports optimal hormone levels. Excessive alcohol consumption, particularly in heavy drinkers, suppresses testosterone production, so moderation is important.

When to Seek Medical Evaluation

If you suspect you have low testosterone based on symptoms and lifestyle factors aren't fully addressing it, seeking medical evaluation is appropriate. A healthcare provider can order proper testing, evaluate results in the context of your symptoms and age, investigate potential underlying causes, and discuss treatment options if appropriate.

Treatment for confirmed low testosterone can include testosterone replacement therapy in various forms—injections, topical gels/creams, pellets, or patches—or medications that stimulate the body's own testosterone production like enclomiphene or other SERMs. Treatment choice depends on your specific situation, underlying cause of low testosterone, and personal preferences.

For more information about the physical and mental effects of low testosterone, see our guide on low testosterone symptoms. If you're considering testosterone replacement therapy, you may also want to review TRT before and after information and TRT cost considerations.