How to test for low testosterone 

Low testosterone can show up in quiet, frustrating ways. It can feel like low energy or brain fog. Or maybe you’re seeing a dip in motivation or sex drive. Sometimes, it’s changes in mood that feel out of character. For some people, it’s easy to chalk these up to stress or aging. For others, especially women going through perimenopause or menopause, it can feel like something is “off,” but hard to name. These symptoms can all be signs of low testosterone.

Testosterone is a hormone that plays an important role in overall health for men and women. It supports muscle strength, bone health, energy levels, mood, and sexual well-being throughout life.

It’s a hormone that plays a crucial role in male development and overall health. It increases during puberty, causing boys to physically develop into men. However, around age 40, testosterone levels begin to drop by about 1 to 2% per year, which can lead to various symptoms and health concerns.

While testosterone is often thought of as a male hormone, women have testosterone too, just at much lower levels. It plays an important role throughout life, including during menopause. Testosterone helps support muscle strength, bone health, mood, and sexual well-being in women. And it’s worth noting that these are all areas that can shift during midlife.

If you haven’t been feeling quite like yourself, a simple blood test can help you find out if your testosterone levels have lowered. Once you have clear answers, you and your provider can talk through what comes next, whether that’s monitoring, lifestyle changes, or options like menopause hormone therapy (MHT).

Signs and symptoms of low testosterone

Low testosterone can affect people differently based on sex, age, and life stage. Men may hear this called “low T.” However, testosterone is just as important for women, especially during perimenopause and menopause, when hormone levels naturally shift.

Here are some common signs and symptoms of low testosterone, broken down by who they tend to affect most and how.

Symptoms more common in men:

• Fewer spontaneous erections
• Difficulty starting or maintaining an erection
• Loss of facial or body hair
• Reduced muscle mass
  

Symptoms more common in women:

• Low libido or reduced sexual satisfaction
• Hot flashes or night sweats
• Breast discomfort
• Changes in mood, including irritability or low mood
  

Symptoms that can affect both men and women:

• Fatigue or low energy
• Depression or feeling flat emotionally
• Loss of muscle or bone strength
• Trouble concentrating or brain fog

What is a normal range for testosterone?

Testosterone levels are measured with a blood test and reported in nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). This measurement shows the level of the hormone present in a person’s blood. What’s considered “normal” depends on your sex and age, and levels naturally decline over time.

Typical testosterone ranges:

• In adult men: roughly 300–1,000 ng/dL
• In adult women: roughly 15–70 ng/dL
  

Levels can be higher in younger adults and lower as we age. For women, testosterone levels may also decline during perimenopause and menopause. This dip in testosterone during “the change” can contribute to symptoms like low energy, reduced libido, and loss of muscle strength.

Testosterone levels during menopause

During menopause, estrogen often gets most of the attention, but testosterone levels can decline too. For some women, this drop can contribute to changes in energy, mood, sexual desire, and muscle or bone health.

Menopause hormone therapy (MHT) is designed to address hormone-related symptoms during this transition. While estrogen is often the primary focus, testosterone may also be considered in certain cases, depending on symptoms, lab results, and overall health.

Testing testosterone levels can be a helpful step to regaining your energy during perimenopause or menopause.

What is a testosterone test? 

A testosterone test is a blood test that measures how much testosterone is circulating in your body. The test is usually done in the morning, often between 6am and 10am. This is when testosterone levels tend to be highest in both men and women. These tests are commonly used to see whether men have lower-than-expected testosterone levels or whether women have levels that are higher, lower, or outside the typical range for their age and life stage.

For women, testosterone testing can help provide insight into symptoms that overlap with menopause, such as fatigue or low libido. Results can guide more informed conversations about treatment options, including MHT. 

Testosterone levels in women are typically about ten times lower than in men. But that doesn’t make the hormone any less important. In fact, more healthcare professionals are recognizing the need for accurate testing and better research focused on women. That’s because many existing studies (and even some lab testing methods) were originally designed with men in mind, making it harder to spot low testosterone in women.

Types of testosterone tests

There are two main types of testosterone tests, and they measure slightly different things.

• Total testosterone test: This measures all the testosterone in your blood, including testosterone that’s bound to proteins and testosterone that’s freely available. This is the most commonly ordered test and is often the first step.
• Free testosterone test: This measures only the testosterone that is not bound to proteins and is available for your body to use. Free testosterone levels are lower, but this test can be helpful if symptoms don’t match total testosterone results.
  

Your provider can help decide which test makes the most sense based on your symptoms and medical history.

Testosterone test details

Getting a testosterone test is a pretty straightforward process. Here’s what to know before and during your appointment.

Do you have to fast for a testosterone blood test?

Some providers recommend fasting overnight, especially if testosterone is being tested alongside other labs. Drinking water is usually fine and can help make drawing a blood sample easier. 

If you need to fast, your provider or lab will let you know ahead of time.

What can I expect during a testosterone blood test?

A testosterone blood test is quick and simple. Regardless of whether you get a total or free testosterone test, here’s what typically happens:

• You’ll sit comfortably in a chair while a healthcare professional checks your arm for a vein.
• The area is cleaned to prevent infection, typically by swabbing the crook of your elbow with a bit of rubbing alcohol or sterile solution. 
• A small needle is used to draw a blood sample. This might feel like a brief pinch.
• The needle is removed, and pressure is applied with gauze or a cotton ball. 
• Your healthcare professional will apply a bandage to the area, and you’re finished!
  

The entire process usually takes less than five minutes. Results are often available within two to three business days, although timing can vary by lab.

Where can I get my testosterone levels checked?

Testosterone testing is commonly available through primary care offices, endocrinologists, women’s health clinics, and many lab or diagnostic locations. Here at QuickMD, we offer a hassle-free way to get your testosterone levels checked. If you’re prescribed low-dose, topical testosterone as part of your MHT care, your QuickMD provider can order testosterone testing for you. 

For some women in perimenopause and menopause, low-dose topical testosterone can help with some symptoms, including certain types of sexual dysfunction. When testosterone is prescribed, your provider may recommend follow-up blood work about 6-8 weeks later. Once you and your provider are ready to order testing, you can conveniently collect the blood sample at any LabCorp US location. Getting tested helps confirm your levels are within the normal range for women and that your treatment is working the way it should. 

The good news is that it’s very rare for women to develop elevated levels from the low-dose topical formulations we prescribe. Because of this, your provider will typically review your results with you during your next scheduled check-in, all from the comfort of home. If your test results show levels out of the expected range and you need your medication adjusted, your provider will reach out. 

We’re here to make sure the entire process is comfortable and convenient for you. If you have questions about MHT or testosterone testing, our team is here to listen to your questions, help you get answers, and walk you through timing and next steps so you can start feeling more like yourself again.

Start feeling like yourself again with QuickMD

Hormones play a major role in how you feel day to day. If low testosterone is contributing to fatigue, low mood, or other changes, testing can be an important first step toward feeling more like yourself again.

Here at QuickMD, our team of providers understands menopause care and the complex hormonal shifts that come with it.