Testosterone Test: Free & SHBG, High vs Low vs. Normal Levels

To determine whether an individual has abnormal testosterone levels, the most commonly used test is the blood test. This test measures the total testosterone level in the blood, which includes both the free and bound forms of the hormone. It provides an overall assessment of the testosterone levels in the body.

Testosterone is a vital hormone that plays a crucial role in various aspects of male health, including muscle strength, sex drive, mood, and overall well-being. If you suspect that you may have low testosterone levels, it is essential to determine your actual hormone levels accurately. While there are several methods available to measure testosterone levels, some are more accurate than others. When it comes to understanding the levels of testosterone in the body, a testosterone levels test can provide valuable information. Testosterone is a hormone that is primarily produced in the testicles for men and in the ovaries for women.

If you and your healthcare provider decide to treat low testosterone levels, you may be a candidate for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). With this treatment, you are essentially supplementing your body with the testosterone it’s missing. It may also reveal whether underlying conditions, health issues, aging, or lifestyle choices are affecting your testosterone production.

As a result, this very quick turnaround may not be applicable to those living in the United States. It is more likely that the 2–5 day window the company provides will be a typical turnaround. I found the process a little messy, and providing the sample in a very small tube was a little challenging when I was also massaging my hand and finger to increase the blood flow. The incisions are very small — around a millimeter — and formed a small bruise a few hours after I took the sample. My fingers were a little tender the next day, but not enough to interfere with my day. This article will long term use of testosterone the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. When the tests are used in a home setting, the risk of user error or improper preparation, collection, storage, handling, or shipping only adds to these concerns.

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. Even if the root of the problem is in the testicles, other treatments might be a better first step for you than TRT.

None of our tests are intended to be a substitute for seeking professional medical advice, help, diagnosis, or treatment. Hormone imbalances can cause a variety of symptoms that can significantly impact your life. These symptoms can also overlap with other conditions, such as depression. At Everlywell, we offer a number of at-home lab tests for hormone levels and other conditions. Your in-clinic healthcare provider is responsible for relaying the results of your in-clinic labs and discussing the potential consequences of the results.

This includes avoiding vigorous physical activity, stress, and sleep deprivation before the test. These factors can potentially affect testosterone levels and skew the results. One reason for the lower accuracy of saliva and urine tests is that they cannot differentiate between bound and free testosterone. This means that these tests may not provide a comprehensive picture of the biologically active fraction of testosterone in the body. Additionally, the levels of testosterone in saliva and urine can be influenced by other factors such as oral medication, diet, and stress, further impacting the accuracy of these tests. Lastly, there are also tests that can be used to assess testosterone levels in specific tissues or organs.

It is not necessary to fast for the testosterone test, but it does recommend you’re well-hydrated. To increase blood flow, the company recommends people wash their hands under warm water. Treatment of the underlying cause may also be needed, along with treatment for symptoms like hormone-induced feminization and virilization. Total testosterone (TT) and bioavailable testosterone (BT) are both measured in nanograms per deciliters (ng/dL). Free testosterone (FT) is measured in picograms per deciliters (pg/dL). The technician will insert a needle into a vein, and blood will be drawn into a tube.

These kits let you collect a blood sample from a finger prick and mail it to a lab. While convenient, at-home kits may be less precise than clinical tests. This daily variation in testosterone levels is natural and should be taken into consideration when getting tested. If you are concerned about your testosterone levels and want to get them tested, it is generally recommended to do so in the morning, within the first few hours after waking up. This will give you the most accurate representation of your testosterone levels at their highest point. Hypogonadism can affect males, females, and people who are intersex.

However, healthcare professionals may use the results to help make a diagnosis or as part of a wider investigation into potential conditions. They typically involve a finger prick or a saliva test, and a person must mail their blood sample to a lab. Other prescription or recreational drugs, herbs, and supplements may also affect testosterone levels, so people should always inform the doctor about anything they are taking. During the normal daily cycle, testosterone levels in men are typically highest in the morning, shortly after waking up. After this peak, testosterone levels gradually decline throughout the day, with the lowest levels usually occurring in the late afternoon or early evening. Men with low testosterone may feel more fatigued and have a decreased sense of well-being. They may also experience more changes in their mood, such as increased irritability, depression, and a decrease in motivation.