Age-specific middle tertile levels were 409-558 ng/dL (20-24 years old), 413-575 ng/dL (25-29 years old), 359-498 ng/dL (30-34 years old), 352-478 ng/dL (35-39 years old), and 350-473 ng/dL (40-44 years old).
The American Urology Association (AUA) considers low blood testosterone to be less than 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) for adults. However, some researchers and healthcare providers disagree with this and feel that levels below 250 ng/dL are low.
Testosterone levels are measured through blood tests. Most doctors agree that a “normal” reading falls anywhere between 300 to 1,000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL).
Testosterone levels peak in the teen years. When men are in their mid-thirties, testosterone levels begin to decline. A healthy testosterone level depends on your age, genetics, and lifestyle. If you are experiencing symptoms of low testosterone, you should test your T levels and consult a physician.
Male: 300 to 1,000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) or 10 to 35 nanomoles per liter (nmol/L) Female: 15 to 70 ng/dL or 0.5 to 2.4 nmol/L.
“Exercise will boost testosterone, though certain types of exercise increase testosterone more than others,” says Richard Jadick, D.O., a Piedmont urologist. Exercise can raise testosterone because it promotes: Muscle building. The more muscle you have, the higher your testosterone levels.
Complicating matters, testosterone levels fluctuate, peaking around 8 a.m. and diminishing throughout the day. Levels tend to be lowest around 8 in the evening, then climb during the night. The peaks and valleys are larger for men 40 and younger compared to men in their 70s.
We show that total testosterone peaks [mean (2.5–97.5 percentile)] at 15.4 (7.2–31.1) nmol/L at an average age of 19 years, and falls in the average case [mean (2.5–97.5 percentile)] to 13.0 (6.6–25.3) nmol/L by age 40 years, but we find no evidence for a further fall in mean total testosterone with increasing age ...
Abnormally high testosterone levels are also known as hypergonadism. If you are male, your doctor may consider your testosterone levels too high if: Total testosterone level is above 950 ng/dL. Free testosterone level is above 30 ng/dL.
Acquired circumstances that can lead to secondary hypogonadism include: Normal aging: Aging affects production and response to hormones. Obesity: High body fat can affect hormone production and response. Medications: Opioid pain meds and steroids can affect function of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus.
Recently, research evidence suggests that testosterone levels are reduced in response to stress. For example, low levels of serum testosterone have been reported during psychological stress, physical stress and actual stress (such as surgery).
There may be certain lifestyle changes to help increase testosterone levels, such as adding resistance exercise and losing weight. Research indicates that resistance exercise, such as lifting weights, is related to temporary increases in testosterone levels.
All Types of Exercise Count. Endurance training and resistance training (such as weight lifting) both boost testosterone levels briefly, Schroeder says. Lifting weights or doing other strength-training workouts has a bigger effect on your testosterone, Schroeder says.
Resistance training like weightlifting is the best type of exercise to boost testosterone in both the short and long term. It's been found to be especially helpful for men.
Most men feel improvement in symptoms within four to six weeks of taking testosterone replacement therapy, although changes like increases in muscle mass may take from three to six months.
Causes of Low Testosterone in Younger Men
For younger men, a drop in testosterone levels can be caused by some illnesses, including type 2 diabetes, chronic liver or kidney disease, COPD or other lung disease, or pituitary gland problems, according to Dr. Samadi.
An adult male's testosterone level should be between 270 and 1000. Testosterone levels peak at about the age of 20 years, and then the testosterone slowly declines with age. In younger men, the average testosterone level is in the range of 650.
People can boost testosterone naturally through diet and exercise, or in some cases, through supplementation. However, there is no evidence to prove that testosterone therapy raises testosterone in healthy males.
Leafy green vegetables can help boost testosterone levels by lowering oxidative stress. Ample research suggests oxidative stress is one of the most common causes of low testosterone levels. Several studies have shown that eating leafy green vegetables such as spinach improves testosterone levels.