Our Guide To Testosterone Tests

Testosterone tests are blood tests - which means the doctor will first conduct a physical exam to identify signs of low or high testosterone levels. Before a testosterone test, the doctor may ask you about your medical history, including any medications you may be taking. 

There are many reasons why you may wish to complete or order a testosterone test. Both sexes have testosterone, although it is the main sex hormone in males. Doctors will often order testosterone tests for those assigned males at birth that display symptoms of low testosterone.

This means that your doctor may check your male hormone levels if you have developed breast tissue, are experiencing low muscle mass, erectile dysfunction, reduced sex drive or infertility issues. 

Likewise, if you were assigned female at birth, your healthcare provider may order a testosterone test if you exhibit symptoms of high testosterone - for example, acne, excess body hair/ facial hair, deepened voice, weight gain or irregular periods. 

If you want to check your testosterone levels, whether you think you may have low testosterone or high testosterone, we can help. Read on to learn more about testosterone testing, including how testosterone tests work and what to expect from testosterone test results. 

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What To Expect From an In-Person Testosterone Test 

If you’ve never had a testosterone test before, it can be helpful to gain an understanding of what to expect. 

First of all, a healthcare professional or doctor will clean a small area of your arm with rubbing alcohol to prepare it for injection. Then, they’ll insert a small needle into your arm to collect a blood sample. The process will be over quickly - once they’ve drawn blood, they’ll remove the needle and place gauze on your arm to stop it from bleeding.

In most cases, testosterone tests are painless. Although you may feel a slight sting, the process will be over in a couple of minutes. It’s unlikely that there will be any complications while receiving a testosterone test or other blood tests. 

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What To Expect From an At-Home Testosterone Test 

A home-testing kit is not dissimilar to the test you’d complete in person. You’ll receive a kit which includes easy-to-understand instructions as well as the equipment needed to collect your sample. 

For the blood test, you’ll prick your own finger and place your blood into the container provided. In some cases, you may be given a saliva test. With this test, you may either spit into the provided test tube or swab the inside of your mouth. 

Once you have collected your sample, simply place it into the provided mailing package and send it back to the address provided. You should receive your results in a matter of days. 

For best results, we recommend completing your testosterone test in the morning; this is when levels of testosterone are typically highest.

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Testosterone Results Explained 

Before we explore what the results of your testosterone test may mean, let’s discuss what the typical testosterone levels are in those assigned male at birth (AMAB). 

On average, testosterone in men/ AMAB can vary between 300 and 750 nanograms per deciliter. However, testosterone levels tend to decrease by around 2% per year after you reach 30 years old.  

A testosterone blood test can show your total testosterone as well as free testosterone. Testosterone can be both free in your body and attached to proteins - total testosterone refers to both, whereas free testosterone tests show only free testosterone. Free testosterone tests can be more effective when diagnosing medical conditions. 

Some factors may affect the results of your testosterone test - for example, prescription drugs that impact hormone levels such as oestrogen or androgen therapy. Some herbs and supplements may also impact the results. 

Sometimes, your doctor may order several tests to be completed on different days in order for a more accurate average. 

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What Could High and Low Testosterone Mean? 

Ultimately, testosterone tests give you an insight as to whether your testosterone levels are high, low, or in the typical range.

In those AMAB, low testosterone could indicate issues with the pituitary gland. It could also be a sign of a tumour in the testicles or adrenal glands. 

In male children, it could also reflect issues with the testicles such as Klinefelter syndrome or undescended testicles. Like with adults AMAB, it can also be a sign of a tumour in the testicles or adrenal glands. 

For those AFAB (assigned female at birth), having low testosterone could suggest Addison disease - a pituitary gland disorder. It could also be a sign of ovarian cancer or polycystic ovary syndrome/ PCOS. 

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Testosterone Testing with Dam Health

If you want to check your testosterone levels, we are here to help at Dam Health. We have locations across the UK if you wish to conduct an in-person test - you can complete a testosterone test in Liverpool, London, Manchester, Southampton or Walsall. 

Testosterone is important, and checking your testosterone levels can have many benefits. Testosterone plays a role in your sex drive and pubertal development. It can also impact sperm production, bone density and growth, as well as your strength and muscular growth. If you were assigned female at birth, it can play a major role when balancing oestrogen. 

We can help you either at home or in-clinic - you can order a testosterone kit online and chat with an online doctor with Dam Health. We can help with a variety of medical tests such as iron deficiency, heart health, fertility, and many more. 

One in four men over the age of 30 have signs of low testosterone - if your results show you have a testosterone deficiency, we can help. We offer a safe and effective testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) - contact us today to begin your treatment and unlock your inner alpha.