Total Testosterone Blood Test

This test measures the level of the hormone testosterone in your blood. Total T should be the first test ordered in the workup for hypogonadism. Testosterone is considered to be the "male hormone" that's produced in men by the testes. Although women's ovaries produce some testosterone, the hormone is produced in much higher concentrations in men.

The results of this test are given in nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). Normal test results show total testosterone levels of:

• 280 to 1,100 ng/dL for men
• 15 to 70 ng/dL for women

A normal male testosterone level peaks at about age 20, and then it slowly declines. Testosterone levels above or below the normal range are considered by many to be out of balance. Moreover, some researchers suggest that the healthiest men have testosterone levels between 400-600 ng/dL.

The problems associated with high testosterone levels are infrequent and rare in middle-aged and elderly men who are not receiving testosterone or other steroid treatments. When the testosterone level becomes out of balance, it usually becomes too low rather than too elevated.