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A Comprehensive Guide To Testing Testosterone Levels: Exploring The Different Methods

Testosterone Therapy: What Men Need to Know About Low T and TRT Treatment Los Angeles Times

Another test is called a saliva test, which measures the levels of testosterone in your saliva. This test is less common than a blood test, but it can be useful in certain situations. Finally, a urine test can also be used to check testosterone levels, although it is not as accurate as a blood or saliva test. One common symptom that may indicate low testosterone levels is a decrease in libido or sexual desire. Testosterone plays a crucial role in the male sex drive, so a significant decrease in sexual desire may indicate low testosterone levels. Additionally, individuals experiencing erectile dysfunction or difficulty achieving and maintaining an erection may also benefit from a testosterone level check.

Still think testosterone therapy turns guys into roid-raging gym rats? One of the most persistent myths around TRT is that it makes men overly aggressive or “unnatural.” The reality? Once dismissed as a rare condition affecting older men, low T (testosterone deficiency) is now understood as a far more widespread issue. Thanks to a mix of modern stress, environmental exposures, and plain old aging, more men are hitting their 40s and 50s feeling like shadows of themselves — and many don’t even know why.

With years of experience in healthcare journalism, he is dedicated to providing clear, research-backed insights on medical advancements and wellness trends. Edgar’s work aims to empower readers with reliable information to make informed health decisions. However, some doctors, like Dr. Jayadevan, like their patients to get a baseline test in their 20s. Moreover, it’s also important to know if your T levels are clinically low, as that can be tied to other health risks that you’ll want to pay attention to, particularly related to your heart. What levels are considered healthy are somewhat variable, but levels below 264 or 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) are considered low. Most of the testosterone in your blood is bound to two proteins, while a portion of it, known as free testosterone or bioavailable testosterone, remains unbound and active. Increased muscle mass, mood changes, and fertility problems are common.

Bound testosterone binds to different proteins, such as albumin and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) in the blood, and free testosterone does smoking increase testosterone; https://artecom-event.de/news/appetitz_gler.html, not attach to proteins. A testosterone test may help doctors gauge if a person has too much or too little testosterone in their blood, which could help diagnose underlying conditions. Any value that falls above or below the reference range of value is considered abnormal. With that said, reference ranges can vary from one lab to the next, and expert interpretation may be needed. Many testosterone blood tests are finger-prick tests that draw a drop of blood using a spring-loaded cutting device called a lancet. The tests are generally performed by placing drops of blood onto a collection card covered with circles. Some require an oral swab, while others ask that you spit into a test tube.

For males who have gone through puberty, the test is mostly used for symptoms of low T levels (testosterone levels which are too low). But other health issues may also cause low T, such as thyroid problems, long-lasting illness, or problems with the testicles. Instead, the blood test looks for your total testosterone levels, which counts free T as well as that bound to the proteins sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and albumin.

This test is commonly used to assess conditions that may have symptoms related to low testosterone levels. At-home test kits for checking your testosterone levels are available without a prescription. The kits provide everything you need to collect a blood or saliva (spit) sample to send to a lab for testing. If your healthcare provider suspects that your testosterone levels may be too high or too low, they might recommend a blood test to measure the hormone levels accurately. Frequent marijuana use and alcohol consumption aren’t doing your T levels any favors, according to Houman.

Pick the wrong method, and you could end up with bad data, wasted time, and money down the drain. Worse, you might miss a real issue—or think you have one when you don’t. In men, artificially high testosterone can lead to testicle shrinking, low sperm count, infertility, heart damage, and a higher risk of a heart attack. What’s considered normal for free testosterone varies significantly within the various age ranges. Testosterone tests evaluate testosterone in the saliva, blood, or urine. Edgar C. Johnson is an Australian medical writer with a strong focus on public health and disease prevention.

Testosterone tests measure total testosterone and bound testosterone. Not necessarily, but some medical conditions (tumors, diabetes, other chronic diseases, HIV/AIDS, malnutrition, etc.) may contribute to low testosterone. That’s why routine testosterone testing and determining potential underlying causes of low T are important for individuals with risk factors. Saliva testosterone tests are noninvasive but typically only measure free testosterone and its bioavailability. Brain signals to the pituitary gland control testosterone production.

Supplemental tests, such as serum testing, are necessary to ensure that salivary test results are accurate. In males, the testosterone test can help find the reason for sexual problems, like reduced sex drive or erectile dysfunction. If you’re having a hard time getting your partner pregnant, the test can tell if your blood testosterone level is low. A low testosterone level can also mean a problem with the hypothalamus or pituitary gland, which controls how much testosterone your body makes. Meanwhile, some studies have found associations between low testosterone levels and symptoms like reduced cognitive function, brain fog, decreased motivation, and mood changes, according to Bailey. “A decline in testosterone can impact libido and sexual performance, which may strain intimate relationships and reduce quality of life,” he says.

Testosterone test results are described on a reference range of values, meaning a high and a low value between which testosterone levels are considered normal. Hyperandrogenism is more common in females and can manifest with virilization (the developmental secondary sexual characteristics more typical for males) and other symptoms. Males can also be affected, but symptoms are often non-specific or only appear when testosterone levels are excessively high. A testosterone test measures the amount of testosterone in the blood.