What Do My Testosterone Levels Mean?

Enter Your Lab Result

Your testosterone number is on your lab report. It's labeled "Testosterone, Total" and measured in ng/dL.

Your Total Testosterone *

Enter the number from your lab report (ng/dL)

Your Age *

Used for age-adjusted interpretation

Also have SHBG on your results? Free testosterone (the biologically active form) gives a more complete picture.

Advanced: Calculate Free T →

Your Age	Low (below)	Low-Normal	Normal Range	Optimal Zone
20s	400	400–499	400–1,080	600–900
30s	350	350–449	350–1,000	550–850
40s	300	300–399	300–950	500–800
50s	270	270–349	270–900	450–750
60s	250	250–329	250–850	400–700
70+	200	200–299	200–800	350–650

Your Age

Low (below)

Low-Normal

Normal Range

Optimal Zone

20s

400

400–499

400–1,080

600–900

30s

350

350–449

350–1,000

550–850

40s

300

300–399

300–950

500–800

50s

270

270–349

270–900

450–750

60s

250

250–329

250–850

400–700

70+

200

200–299

200–800

350–650

What Does "Normal" Actually Mean?

The "normal" range on your lab report is wide — usually 300–1,000 ng/dL. This creates a problem: a man at 310 ng/dL is technically "in range," but many men feel terrible at that level and thrive at 600+.

Clinical guidelines from the Endocrine Society define hypogonadism as two morning testosterone readings below 300 ng/dL combined with symptoms. But the discussion is evolving — symptom burden matters, not just the number.

If your number is in the 300–450 range and you have symptoms, it's worth discussing with a physician. Total T alone doesn't tell the whole story — your free testosterone (the biologically active fraction) may be lower than the total suggests, especially if your SHBG is high.

Common Questions About Testosterone Lab Results

The reference range covers the bottom 95% of a large population — including men who feel lousy. "Normal" means you're not in the bottom 2.5%, not that your levels are optimal for you. Many men feel best at 550–800 ng/dL. If you're at 310 ng/dL, you're "in range" but likely in the bottom 10% of men your age. That matters.

Always morning — ideally 7–10 AM. Testosterone peaks in the morning and can be 30–50% lower by afternoon. A low afternoon reading isn't reliable for diagnosis. If your doctor tested you in the afternoon and called it "normal," ask for a morning retest.

Ask for SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin). High SHBG can leave you with a normal total T but low free testosterone — the fraction that actually does anything in your body. Use our Free T Calculator to check. Also worth checking: thyroid function, vitamin D, iron, and cortisol.

Enter Your Lab Result

Your Result

The Testosterone Spectrum

Age-Adjusted Reference Ranges (Total Testosterone, ng/dL)

What Does "Normal" Actually Mean?

Common Questions About Testosterone Lab Results