Your sex life, your way

Learn how Hims can help

Normal Testosterone Levels in Men

Kelly Brown MD, MBA

Reviewed by Kelly Brown MD, MBA

Written by Geoffrey C. Whittaker

Published 12/14/2020

Updated 05/19/2024

For the average guy, testosterone is pretty important. Normal testosterone levels in men might be something to strive for, but your body may already be doing this for you.

Widely known as the primary male sex hormone (or androgen), testosterone determines male physical features like hair growth and sperm production. It also maintains sex drive for adult men and helps with various bodily functions.

But what happens when normally high testosterone levels dip? Should you be worried? Low testosterone levels (aka “low T”) could affect your libido and energy levels, among other things.

So, what are normal testosterone levels in men? What causes male testosterone levels to change? How do you check your testosterone levels? We have all the answers below.

What are normal testosterone levels in men

How much testosterone does a man have on average? Average testosterone levels for adult males range between 300 to 1,000 ng/dL (that’s nanograms per deciliter of blood).

It’s completely normal for testosterone levels to fluctuate throughout your life. For instance, factors like aging, lifestyle, health problems, and certain medications might make testosterone production increase or decrease.

Testosterone levels in men can even change from hour to hour — they’re typically highest in the morning and lowest at night. But a fluctuation doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have healthy testosterone levels. Remember, it’s a range.

Does Testosterone Drop With Age?

Low T comes with aging — testosterone levels naturally decrease by one percent each year after age 30. They’ve also been found to decrease by 100 ng/dL every ten years.

Of course, “normal” is often an elastic term. Even the average level of testosterone in men varies greatly and has a wide range.

Healthy Testosterone Levels by Age

While normal testosterone levels vary, it’s suggested that older males should have average testosterone levels between 500 and 800 ng/dL. Meanwhile, young adults should aim for 600 to 900 ng/dL. For teen boys and adolescents, it’s more like 200 to 500.

But even though normal testosterone levels in men can fluctuate throughout the day and steadily decrease as they get older, lower-than-average testosterone levels can signal a health issue.

Whether you call it testosterone deficiency, male hypogonadism, or simply low T, low testosterone levels could be a health concern. Total testosterone levels below 300 ng/dL are generally recognized as low testosterone.

Symptoms of low testosterone can vary among men. The side effects might not even show up in some guys, but those with low levels of serum testosterone may experience:

  • Reduced sex drive

  • Difficulty sleeping, including insomnia

  • Reduced strength and muscle mass

  • Reduced bone density

  • Increased body fat or obesity

  • Depression

  • Difficulty concentrating

  • Low sperm count or infertility

Low levels of testosterone might lead to Erection problems, including erectile dysfunction (ED). However, the connection between testosterone and ED is a little more complicated, as it’s not the most common cause.

There may also be a link between low testosterone and anxiety. How so? Cortisol levels increase when you’re stressed, which, in turn, reduces testosterone, making you feel more anxious and creating a vicious cycle.

But what causes lower-than-normal testosterone levels in the first place? Keep reading for insight.

ED Treatment

Read up before getting down

Numerous factors may contribute to below-normal testosterone levels. Some might be within your control (like nutrition and exercise), and others are out of your control (such as aging).

Factors that may cause low testosterone include:

  • Obesity or significant weight gain

  • Low thyroid function (hypothyroidism)

  • Abuse of illicit drugs and/or alcohol

  • Congenital abnormalities affecting the reproductive system

  • Certain medications, such as chemotherapy drugs

  • Some surgical procedures

  • Injury to the testicles or diseases like testicular cancer

  • Performance-enhancing drugs, such as anabolic steroids

  • Many diseases and disorders, including hemochromatosis, uncontrolled diabetes, kidney failure, and obstructive sleep apnea

The good news is that you and your healthcare provider can probably figure out the cause of your low testosterone. Even more good news? Low testosterone is usually treatable.

Ahead, tips on how to check your testosterone levels and treatment options if your levels are low.

The one-stop sex shop

Checking your average testosterone level is relatively simple using a blood test known as a testosterone test.

A healthcare professional will take a blood sample to check your testosterone level. Other labs may also be checked, including sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), to help your provider determine the amount of available testosterone in your body.

For the most accurate results, you’ll need to take two tests sometime in the morning when testosterone levels are the highest.

They may also check your testicles because that’s where adult men produce most of their testosterone.

You can arrange for a testosterone level test with your healthcare provider or contact a lab testing center in your area. You might also be able to order a test kit online and mail in a sample if you’re up for drawing your own blood.

Once you have the cause of your low testosterone figured out, you can discuss treatment options with your healthcare provider. We’ll outline a few potential remedies below.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy

One common option is testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). This treatment involves taking prescription testosterone in the form of a patch, gel, or injection to supplement the natural testosterone produced by your body.

TRT works quickly to provide relief from many symptoms of low testosterone. It can be a safe and effective option for some men.

Men with mild erectile dysfunction who are unresponsive to ED medication may also see benefits from testosterone replacement therapy, as the treatment has been found to improve erectile function.

But, as with most medical treatments, there are significant pros and cons associated with TRT. Alternatively there are medications like clomiphene citrate and anastrozole that increase your body’s own production of testosterone. We recommend talking to your healthcare provider and doing thorough research before committing.

Healthy Lifestyle Habits

If you’re interested in increasing testosterone naturally, a few healthy lifestyle habits may help.

Being physically active is linked to higher levels of testosterone and other essential hormones. (Although too much exercise could lead to too much cortisol, which reduces testosterone — a fun catch-22).

Exercise offers many other benefits, from assisting with weight loss (a crucial factor for your hormonal health if you’re living with overweight or obesity) to strengthening bones and muscles, improving mood, and more.

Getting more sleep could also boost your levels, as testosterone production happens at night and decreases throughout the day.

A small study from 2011 found that young men who only got five hours of sleep a night had daytime testosterone levels 10 to 15 percent below their normal levels. A potential 15 percent reduction just from sleep deprivation is worth trying to avoid.

There’s no specific research on the optimal amount of shut-eye for testosterone. But you can use the CDC’s (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommendation of seven or more hours each night as a baseline for healthy sleep.

Testosterone-Boosting Foods

Certain foods that boost testosterone, such as garlic, oysters, eggs, onions, and leafy greens, may also help. But while a balanced diet might not be enough to treat lower testosterone levels on its own, prioritizing the right foods could positively affect your body’s ability to maintain healthy testosterone production. 

​​You can also check out these testosterone boosters for more information on how to improve your testosterone levels.

ED Treatment

Your best sex ever

Older men and young adults alike should care about the amount of testosterone in their bodies. But realistically, some guys might be worrying too much.

If you’re worried about preserving or reaching normal testosterone levels, here’s what to keep in mind:

  • Testosterone is a critical male sex hormone necessary for various functions.

  • Normal testosterone levels for men range from 300 to 1000 ng/dL (nanograms per deciliter of blood).

  • Not only do testosterone levels change throughout the day (being highest in the morning and lowest at night), but they steadily decrease as you get older, usually by one percent each year after age 30.

  • Signs of low testosterone levels can vary but typically include low sex drive, decreased muscle mass, weight gain, trouble sleeping, depression, and erectile dysfunction.

  • You can ask your healthcare provider about a testosterone blood test to check your levels. If it turns out you have low T, they may recommend treatment options like testosterone replacement therapy, more exercise, better sleep, or a healthier diet.

Erectile dysfunction can be a symptom of low testosterone, though ED can have many other causes.

Whatever’s behind it, Hims has many erectile dysfunction treatments — like our chewable ED meds that come as handy mints — after a consultation with a licensed provider.

13 Sources

  1. Bhasin S, et al. (2018). Testosterone Therapy in Men With Hypogonadism: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline.
  2. Brownlee KK, et al. (2005). Relationship between circulating cortisol and testosterone: influence of physical exercise.
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (n.d.). Benefits of Physical Activity
  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (n.d.). How Much Sleep Do I Need?
  5. Cohen J, et al. (2020). Low Testosterone in Adolescents & Young Adults.
  6. Duca Y, et al. (2019). Substance Abuse and Male Hypogonadism.
  7. Endocrine Society. (2022). Hypogonadism in Men.
  8. Leproult R, et al. (2011). Effect of 1 week of sleep restriction on testosterone levels in young healthy men.
  9. Nassar GN, et al. (2023). Physiology, Testosterone.
  10. Nguyen V, et al. (2022). Testosterone and Sexual Desire:A Review of the Evidence.
  11. Rizk PJ, et al. (2017). Testosterone therapy improves erectile function and libido in hypogonadal men.
  12. Sizar O, et al. (2022). Hypogonadism.
  13. Wu, FC. (2007). Guideline for Male Testosterone Therapy: A European Perspective.
Editorial Standards

Hims & Hers has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references. See a mistake? Let us know at [email protected]!

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.

Kelly Brown MD, MBA
Kelly Brown MD, MBA

Dr. Kelly Brown is a board certified Urologist and fellowship trained in Andrology. She is an accomplished men’s health expert with a robust background in healthcare innovation, clinical medicine, and academic research. Dr. Brown was previously Medical Director of a male fertility startup where she lead strategy and design of their digital health platform, an innovative education and telehealth model for delivering expert male fertility care.

She completed her undergraduate studies at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (go Heels!) with a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science and a Minor in Chemistry. She took a position at University of California Los Angeles as a radiologic technologist in the department of Interventional Cardiology, further solidifying her passion for medicine. She also pursued the unique opportunity to lead departmental design and operational development at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, sparking her passion for the business of healthcare.

Dr. Brown then went on to obtain her doctorate in medicine from the prestigious Northwestern University - Feinberg School of Medicine and Masters in Business Administration from Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management, with a concentration in Healthcare Management. During her surgical residency in Urology at University of California San Francisco, she utilized her research year to focus on innovations in telemedicine and then served as chief resident with significant contributions to clinical quality improvement. Dr. Brown then completed her Andrology Fellowship at Medical College of Wisconsin, furthering her expertise in male fertility, microsurgery, and sexual function.

Her dedication to caring for patients with compassion, understanding, as well as a unique ability to make guys instantly comfortable discussing anything from sex to sperm makes her a renowned clinician. In addition, her passion for innovation in healthcare combined with her business acumen makes her a formidable leader in the field of men’s health.

Dr. Brown is an avid adventurer; summiting Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (twice!) and hiking the incredible Torres del Paine Trek in Patagonia, Chile. She deeply appreciates new challenges and diverse cultures on her travels. She lives in Denver with her husband, two children, and beloved Bernese Mountain Dog. You can find Dr. Brown on LinkedIn for more information.

Education & Training


Research

Published as Kelly Walker



Read more

Related Articles

Put yourself in good hands

Hims connects you with doctor-trusted products so you can have your best sex ever