How to Test Testosterone Levels

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Medically-verified ways to test and treat low testosterone levels

Co-authored by Dan Hickey Medically reviewed by Justin Houman, MD

Last Updated: May 22, 2026 Fact Checked

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• Testing for Low Testosterone
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• Common Symptoms
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• How Can a Woman Lower Testosterone?
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• Video
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• Tips

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Testosterone is the male hormone, though it is a normal hormone in women as well. Testosterone is responsible for the production of male sexual characteristics and functions including a deep voice, facial hair, denser bone, and muscle mass, and is directly related to erectile functions, penis and testicular size, and the sex drive. Testosterone is also involved with the production of red blood cells and sperm and can decrease as a man ages. If you are worried about your testosterone levels, there are ways you can check them. In this article, wikiHow partnered with a men's health specialist to learn how to test for low testosterone and go over the signs among men and women.

If you're concerned about your sexual health or performance, take our Erectile Dysfunction Quiz to find out if you have ED and get access to quick and easy treatment options.

Guide to Testing Low Testosterone Levels

Men's health specialist Justin Houman, MD, says the best way to test testosterone is with a blood draw in the morning, as testosterone levels peak between 7 and 10 AM. Visit a doctor to get your blood drawn; they may also do a physical exam, ask you about your symptoms, and run additional tests.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Testing for Low Testosterone

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1. 
   1
   Go to the doctor for a testosterone test. The most common test for testosterone involves your physician drawing a tube of blood from your vein. In addition to the blood sample, your physician will also perform a physical exam.

   • Dr. Houman says, “The gold standard for testing testosterone is a morning serum blood draw.” Timing is important, as testosterone follows a diurnal rhythm and peaks between 7 AM and 10 AM, and drops 20-35% by the afternoon. “Testing at 2 PM can make a completely normal man appear hypogonadal,” he explains.
   • Always confirm a low value on two separate occasions before diagnosing a deficiency, notes Dr. Houman.
2. 
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   Be prepared for additional tests. Because low testosterone may be an indicator for an underlying problem, like a problem with the pituitary gland, liver disease, an inherited disease, or Addison's disease, your doctor may want to test you for an underlying problem if you have low testosterone. Depending on your physical exam, your symptoms, and your history, other tests may be required after the testosterone test. Your doctor may test for thyroid function, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
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   Get an oral test. Testosterone can also be measured in your saliva, though not many mainstream physicians offer this option. The test is reasonably reliable, but it is too new of a method to be totally accepted. Two reputable labs that test for salivary testosterone are ZRTLabs and Labrix.
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   The most common test is for “total testosterone,” which is the testosterone that is bound to other proteins in the blood. If your total testosterone from your screening lab test comes back abnormal, ask to have the test for “free” or bioavailable testosterone. The most important testosterone value is the “free” and/or bioavailable testosterone. This is not always measured because it is not so easy to measure.

   • The tests for “free” or bioavailable testosterone are considered better biomarkers.
   • Dr. Houman notes that total testosterone is your typical starting point, but it rarely tells the whole story. “Free testosterone is the biologically active fraction and is critical, especially in obese men or those with elevated SHBG, because a man can have a ‘normal’ total T while his free T is in the gutter.”
   • So, he suggests that you always pair your test with SHBG, LH, and FSH, which tell you whether the problem originates at the testicular level or higher up at the pituitary or hypothalamus.
   • Additionally, Dr. Houman says Estradiol is frequently overlooked, but essential, since high estrogen drives many of the same symptoms as low testosterone and is often the real culprit.
   • He adds that Prolactin should be checked to rule out a pituitary adenoma, and in men over 40 starting therapy, a baseline PSA and CBC are non-negotiable.
5. 
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   Consider what affects the test. There are things that might affect the results of your test. Taking medicines with estrogen or testosterone (including birth control), digoxin, spironolactone, and barbiturates may interfere with the test. Medicines for prostate cancer and that raise prolactin levels may also have a negative effect. Hypothyroidism can also interfere with the test.

   • Dr. Houman doesn’t recommend testing during an acute illness, as infection, surgery, and significant physical stress will temporarily suppress the HPG axis and give you a falsely low result.
6. 
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   Choose a testosterone replacement therapy. If your testosterone levels are low, talk to your physician about testosterone replacement therapy. Testosterone is available as a gel or patch, muscular injections, or tablets that can be dissolved under the tongue.

   • There are also some natural options including dietary approaches, increased exercise, and herbs such as Tribulus terrestris, Ashwagandha, Ginkgo Biloba, Maca, and Yohimbe.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Common Symptoms

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1. 
   1
   Look for symptoms of low testosterone in men. Testosterone levels vary in different men, so it can be difficult to determine if the levels detected in one man are too low. Monitor your body to see if you have any symptoms of low testosterone. Symptoms of low levels of testosterone in men include:

   • Problems with sexual function. This can include erectile dysfunction and low libido (decreased desire for sexual activity), says Dr. Houman. It can also include a decrease in the number and quality of erections.
   • Smaller testes.
   • Emotional problems that can include irritability, loss of motivation and drive, and brain fog, says Dr. Houman. Can also include depression, anxiety, problems with memory or concentration, or a lack of self-confidence.
   • Sleep disruption.
   • Increased fatigue or a general overall lack of energy.
   • Body changes that include increased visceral fat, decreased muscle mass, and decreased bone density, notes Dr. Houman. This can also include decreased strength and endurance, decreases in cholesterol levels, and softening of the bones.
   • Metabolic syndrome can worsen, says Dr. Houman.
   • Swollen or tender breasts.
   • Loss of body hair.
   • Hot flashes.
   • “The formal cutoff is 300 ng/dL, but symptoms matter as much as the number,” explains Dr. Houman.
2. 
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   Check for symptoms of low testosterone in women. Women can have low testosterone as well. The symptoms present differently than they do for a man. The symptoms of low testosterone in women include:

   • Decreased libido (sexual desire), says Dr. Houman.
   • Fatigue, notes Dr. Houman.
   • Decreased vaginal lubrication.
   • Cognitive fog, says Dr. Houman.
   • Loss of muscle mass, which Dr. Houman says is most common in post-menopausal women or those on oral contraceptives.
3. 
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   Decide if you are at risk for low testosterone. Low testosterone can result from different things. You may want to test your testosterone levels if you have experienced any of the following:

   • Aging.
   • Obesity and/or diabetes mellitus.
   • Testicular injury, trauma, or infection.
   • Radiation or chemotherapy for cancer.
   • Chronic diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, or liver and kidney disease.
   • Certain genetic conditions, like Klinefelter syndrome, hemochromatosis, Kallmann syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome and others.
   • Alcoholism.
   • Drug abuse including heroin,marijuana, opioid or pain medication abuse.
   • Chronic smoking.
   • Abuse of androgens in the past.
4. 
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   Determine if you need a testosterone level test. Testosterone tests are performed when a person displays certain characteristics. Tests are commonly done for the following reasons:

   • If a man is having infertility problems
   • If a man is having sexual problems
   • If a boy under 15 years of age shows early signs of puberty or an older boy shows no signs of puberty
   • If a woman develops male features, such as excessive hair growth and a deep voice
   • If a woman has irregular menstrual periods
   • If a man with prostate cancer is taking certain medicines
   • If a man has osteoporosis
5. 
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   Be aware testosterone levels vary. Levels of testosterone vary from man to man (and woman to woman). Testosterone levels will vary during the day, and vary from day to day. Levels are generally higher in the morning and lower later in the day.
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How Can a Woman Lower Testosterone?

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Tips

• High testosterone in men is usually seen with exogenous androgen use, explains Dr. Houman. The signs include acne, accelerated hair loss, mood volatility, testicular atrophy, elevated hematocrit, and paradoxically, infertility from suppression of LH and FSH.
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• Excess testosterone in women, or hyperandrogenism, can cause hirsutism, acne, hair thinning, and menstrual irregularity, with PCOS being the most common underlying cause, notes Dr. Houman.
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• Erectile dysfunction can be cause by multiple other conditions, and low testosterone is a minimal part of it.
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