What's normal testosterone?

[rado]

TweetWhat's normal testosterone?

This is a bit tricky. What's considered normal is really broad, because levels vary a lot from person to person. What's low for one person can be quite normal for someone else. Since most of us have no idea what our usual testosterone level is (who gets a testosterone baseline?), trying to figure out if you're low can be difficult, unless you're super low.

For women, even what's low is debatable. The research is minimal. For example, a big national lab, Metpath, used to state that under 20 ng/dl was low. Under new management, they just switched to saying that under 15 ng/dl is low. Other doctors argue that 30-60 ng/dl is a much healthier range for women, particularly after menopause.

Low testosterone is called hypogonadism. Since testosterone is produced in daily cycles, levels vary by time of day, stage of menstruation/menopause, and age. Studies of men in combat show that severe stress and fear strongly lower testosterone.

Coping with an opportunistic infection or a diagnosis of AIDS might bottom out anyone's testosterone. Some medications directly lower testosterone, such as Megace, ganciclovir, Nizoral and progesterone (some birth control pills), and others can wipe out your sex drive, like Prozac. Symptoms of low testosterone: low sex drive and desire, depression, loss of bone mass, low energy, moodiness, weakness, and muscle loss.

In sum, low testosterone might be temporary, or even normal for you. Figuring out what's really going on means paying close attention to how you feel, including weight, muscle mass and sexual desire and finding out both your total and your free testosterone levels with an Age-Corrected Free Testosterone Test.

Getting testosterone levels checked is not a big deal - it's a small blood test. The most common test is an "androgen panel," which reports your total testosterone and DHEA levels. With HIV and AIDS, you need to get an Age-Corrected Free Testosterone Test to check free testosterone levels. Prices in NYC range from $79-150, and both tests are covered by insurance and Medicaid. Usually the biggest problem is getting your doctor to order them.

Normal Testosterone

Men: 450-900ng/dl
Women: 6-86 ng/dl (Grinspoon et al) 30-60ng/dl (Vliet, 1995) >15ng/dl (Metpath)


These are general - not age-corrected. Keep in mind that there's been little research and the interpretation of test results may change. Get a baseline and check your levels regularly.

[Slightly Enhanced]

TweetI can't remember the range, but it was between "something to 34 mg a week" Thatsi the comversion from ng to mg

[badasz32]

Tweeti have seen post saying between 49 and 75

[FUZO]

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