Hormone levels are just one aspect of overall health that changes with age. For men and women alike, average testosterone levels can fluctuate throughout the decades. Knowing more about what’s considered “average” can help people have more informed discussions with a licensed healthcare provider.
Key Takeaways
- Age impacts hormone levels in both men and women, including total testosterone levels.
- Commonly reported symptoms related to changing testosterone levels for men over 50 include decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, lower muscle mass, and lower bone density.
- Commonly reported symptoms related to changing testosterone levels for women over 50 include low libido, increased risk of osteoporosis, weight gain, brain fog, and thinning hair.
- Everyone ages differently, which can impact hormone levels like testosterone. Anyone concerned about their symptoms can speak to a licensed healthcare provider.
What is Testosterone and What Does It Do?
Testosterone is a sex hormone (specifically an androgen, or male sex hormone) that is critical to developing secondary sex characteristics during puberty and regulating human reproduction during adulthood. Testosterone is also associated with other bodily functions outside sexual health, including mood, muscle health, red blood cell production, and bone health.
Types of Serum Testosterone
There are different forms of testosterone in the body, including the following types found in blood (serum testosterone):
- Free Testosterone: Free testosterone is testosterone that is unattached to anything else. Because free testosterone is not attached, the body can easily make use of it.
- Albumin-bound Testosterone: This form of testosterone is loosely attached to albumin, a liver-produced protein. The body can easily separate testosterone from albumin to make use of the testosterone.
- SHBG-bound Testosterone (Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin-bound Testosterone): This form of testosterone is closely bound to SHBG, another liver-produced protein. The body cannot readily use this type of testosterone the way it can free and albumin-bound forms.
Terms You Might See on a Testosterone Blood Test
If you take a testosterone blood test, you may see terms like the following.
- Total testosterone levels refer to all forms of testosterone present in the bloodstream (bound and unbound).
- Unbound or unattached testosterone is free testosterone.
- Bound or attached testosterone can include albumin and SHBG-bound testosterone; it excludes free testosterone.
- Bioavailable testosterone (BT) includes free and albumin-bound testosterone.
- ng/dL, or nanograms per deciliter, is the measurement of testosterone in US-based blood tests.
What are Normal Male Testosterone Levels by Age?
In men, specifically, the testes are responsible for the vast majority of testosterone production. It is critical for functions like sperm production, muscle growth, height increases, libido, and genital (testicles, penis, and prostate gland) growth.
Note: The following are reference ranges only and are not diagnostic criteria.
Normal Testosterone Levels for Men
According to Cleveland Clinic, average levels of testosterone for men are as follows:
- Childhood (1 – 10): < 25 ng/dL
- Adolescence (11 – 15): < 830 ng/dL
- Adolescence (16 – 17): 102 – 1010 ng/dL
- Adulthood (18+): 193 – 824 ng/dL
Trends in Testosterone Levels for Adult Men by Decade
- 20s: Testosterone levels peak during men’s early 20s and late teens.
- 30s: Testosterone levels start to slowly decline during men’s 30s.
- 40s – 50s: Effects of testosterone decline become much more pronounced compared to previous decades, and some men may see an acceleration in testosterone decline compared to their 30s.
- 60+: Age-related decline in testosterone continues, with effects of lower testosterone levels compounding. These changes may result in symptoms like body composition changes (less muscle mass and more body fat).
Non-standard Testosterone Levels for Men
Sometimes men experience higher or lower-than-normal levels of testosterone, which is commonly associated with symptoms like the following:
- Commonly reported symptoms of low testosterone levels (low T levels, male hypogonadism) in adult males: Altered sex drive or sexual function, body hair loss, low mood, increased body fat, muscle mass loss, loss of bone density, and brain fog.
- Commonly reported symptoms of high testosterone levels (high T levels) in adult males: It is often difficult to associate high T with specific symptoms.
What are Normal Female Testosterone Levels by Age?
Many people often think of testosterone in terms of men’s health, but every human being needs testosterone to function. In women, testosterone plays a major role in ovarian function, mood regulation, bone health, muscle health, sex drive, and energy levels. The ovaries, skin cells, fat cells, and adrenal glands are primarily responsible for testosterone production in women.
Normal Testosterone Levels for Women
Note: The following are “normal ranges,” not diagnostic criteria.
According to LabCorp and Cleveland Clinic, average testosterone ranges for women are:
- Childhood: 2.5 – 25 ng/dL
- Adolescence: 15 – 79 ng/dL
- Premenopausal: 10 – 55 ng/dL
- Menopause: 7 – 40 ng/dL
Trends in Testosterone Levels for Adult Women by Decade
Like men, women often experience a peak in testosterone levels in their late teens or early 20s. Women often see gradual decreases in testosterone levels over the next few decades. This decline is relatively stable, and women do not often see major accelerations in testosterone declines with menopause, but rather with advanced age (with women 70+ seeing the greatest rates of decline).
Non-standard Testosterone Levels for Women
According to Cleveland Clinic, women experiencing abnormal or irregular testosterone levels may report symptoms like the following:
- Women with low testosterone levels may report symptoms like: Increased risk for osteoporosis and fractures, decreased muscle mass, mood changes, sexual dysfunction, and brain fog.
- Commonly reported symptoms of high testosterone levels in women: Adult acne, excess body hair, excess facial hair, period changes, and changes in voice.
“Normal” Testosterone Levels are Different for Everyone
A baseline for one person can vary from someone else’s. In fact, someone’s baseline can vary from day to day, or even within the same day. That means it’s important not to view testosterone charts as diagnostic tools, but instead as potential starting points of conversations with licensed healthcare providers.
When Testosterone Changes Bring Discomfort
While changing hormone levels, including changing testosterone levels, are normal, sometimes these changes can bring discomfort. Anyone concerned about their testosterone levels and potentially related side effects can speak with their healthcare provider about possible treatments, including the following options for testosterone deficiencies:
- Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a type of hormone therapy that can be delivered via gels, creams, pellets, and injections.
- Lifestyle changes like weight training, improved sleep hygiene, and a more balanced diet.
Supporting Hormone Changes While Aging
At Avista Senior Living, we recognize that health needs, preferences, and priorities can change throughout the aging process. Through individualized care plans and a person-centered approach, our teams work to support each resident’s unique goals, routines, and overall well-being.
FAQs
Can GLP-1 affect testosterone levels?
Some research links the use of GLP-1 medications with increased levels of bioavailable testosterone.
How do doctors measure free testosterone levels?
Doctors typically measure free testosterone levels with a blood test, often in the morning when testosterone levels are highest.
Is TRT a treatment for menopausal women?
Testosterone replacement therapy, or TRT, is a treatment some healthcare providers may prescribe (off label) to women experiencing specific unwanted side effects (e.g., low libido) of menopause. However, TRT is not as commonly prescribed as estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) for menopausal symptoms.
Are there risks associated with high testosterone levels?
According to Harvard Health Publishing, long-term, artificially elevated testosterone levels in men are linked to concerns like liver disease, sexual dysfunction, low sperm count, high cholesterol, acne, fluid retention, mood swings, and high blood pressure. In women, high testosterone levels are linked to smaller breasts and lower voices.
It’s important to remember that high testosterone levels are not, in and of themselves, a diagnosis of any disease or medical condition. Anyone concerned about unwanted symptoms or their testosterone levels can speak to a licensed healthcare provider.
Are there risks associated with low testosterone levels?
According to Harvard Health Publishing, low testosterone levels in men may result in symptoms like increased risk of fractures, loss of body hair, loss of facial hair, lower muscle mass, and irritability. Women with low testosterone levels may report symptoms like weaker bones, low mood, brain fog, and low sex drive.
A person cannot use low T results from a testosterone test to self-diagnose a condition; anyone concerned about their testosterone levels and unwanted symptoms can speak with a licensed healthcare provider.
Disclaimers: This article is for informational purposes only. It does not provide medical advice and cannot diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. Please direct any health-related questions to a licensed healthcare provider.
