Understanding how testosterone levels change with age can help you monitor your health and identify potential issues early. Understanding your testosterone levels is key to managing your health as you age, as these levels can impact everything from muscle mass and libido to mood and energy levels. Some studies in women with PCOS, a condition which raises testosterone levels, suggest GLP-1 therapies may help slightly lower testosterone by improving metabolism and reducing insulin resistance. The researchers only included men in the study, because they didn’t expect weight loss drugs to raise testosterone levels in women. Dr. Susan Spratt, professor of medicine at Duke University School of Medicine, said many men are overtreated with testosterone therapy when they have levels on the lower normal side. "However, they occurred naturally, without testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), and likely reflect the body recovering its normal hormone production as weight and insulin resistance improved." Roughly half of the men had low to low-normal testosterone at the start of the study and most reached normal levels after treatment. For example, problem with function of pituitary gland or adrenal glands may lead to reduced testosterone production. For example, a man with osteoporosis and low testosterone can increase bone strength and reduce his fracture risk with testosterone replacement. The testes produces less testosterone, there are fewer signals from the pituitary telling the testes to make testosterone. The ovaries of women with PCOS contain multiple cysts. Having too much naturally-occurring testosterone is not a common problem among men. It has meaningful implications for metabolic health and long-term disease risk. You may experience brain fog, rising cholesterol despite a healthy diet, low energy, or a fading sex drive. They also support bone health, brain function, and memory. Levels generally begin to decline in the mid-30s, decreasing by approximately 1-2% per year thereafter. During puberty, it's responsible for building muscle, producing facial and body hair, deepening the voice, and managing sexual desire. According to the Cleveland Clinic, a testosterone test measures the concentration of the hormone in your blood. It's not unusual for men to experience these symptoms even at 400 ng/dL, 600 ng/dL, or higher, depending on their free testosterone, SHBG, thyroid function, and overall hormone balance. Research shows that men with lower testosterone levels are more likely to develop insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Such content is not intended to replace an evaluation with a qualified healthcare professional of your choosing and is not intended as medical advice. • Lab timing, assay quality, symptoms, and side effects all matter. This is especially true in functional hypogonadism, where weight, sleep, metabolic health, and medication effects may influence the entire picture (Corona et al., Andrology, 2020). Our process begins with advanced at-home lab testing, including comprehensive blood panels, DUTCH hormone metabolite testing, and cortisol mapping. Schedule a consultation with 1st Optimal to get a personalized, data-driven treatment plan tailored to your body. A diet rich in quality protein, healthy fats, and micronutrient-dense vegetables supports hormone production and metabolism. Resistance training 3-4 times per week supports testosterone and growth hormone production. In this article, we look at how testosterone levels change with age, how to check your testosterone levels, and when it’s worth exploring further. Testosterone levels drop naturally with age — but what’s a normal rate of decline? However, significant hormonal deficiencies often require medical intervention such as BHRT or TRT to restore levels to an optimal range. Among sex hormones, low testosterone in men and estrogen-progesterone imbalances in women are the most frequently diagnosed conditions. Testosterone replacement therapy restores testosterone to optimal levels in men with documented deficiency. So, if you’re wondering, "What are good total testosterone levels by age, these figures should answer that question. For women, the goal is to avoid supraphysiologic exposure and maintain levels within the normal female range if therapy is used at all (Travison et al., Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2017; Davis et al., Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2019). Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is often the first-line treatment for low testosterone levels in women. Aside from medical treatment, there are lifestyle changes women can make to help lower their testosterone levels. "There are no established optimal testosterone levels for women, so most clinicians use a lab reference range to diagnose a woman with high testosterone," Dr. Dorr says.
