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Healthy Testosterone Levels for Men

Although the adrenal gland and ovaries can produce testosterone in small amounts, testicles produce most of the sex hormone testosterone in males. This hormone contributes to typical male characteristics such as penis size, body hair and a deep voice. Testosterone also contributes to a man's sex drive and sperm count. Even muscle mass and strength can be attributed to testosterone.

  1. Testosterone Testing

    • Certain medical conditions merit testosterone testing. According to American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC, labtestsonline.org), physicians may order this test for men who are experiencing infertility, delayed puberty or erectile dysfunction. To test men for testosterone levels, a health care provider draws blood from the arm. The collected blood is then analyzed for circulating testosterone.

    Healthy Testosterone Levels

    • Healthy values for testosterone fall between 300 and 1,000 ng/dL, according to The Hormone Foundation (hormone.org), which is dedicated to educating the public about conditions related to hormones. Normal values may differ depending on the lab performing the test.

    Low Testosterone Levels

    • If a man's testosterone becomes off-balance, his health and well-being may suffer. Hypogonadism or low testosterone could cause men to develop breast, low sperm count and poor erections. Depression, irritability, weight gain and fatigue are also symptoms of low testosterone levels. Low testosterone typically happens as part of the aging process after 40, when testosterone production drops around one percent each year. In younger men, low testosterone levels may happen because of medications, testicle trauma or genetic conditions.

    High Testosterone Levels

    • For men, elevated testosterone levels may occur because of tumors. According to the AACC, anabolic steroids, also called androgens, is another contributor. Certain conditions could be to blame for excess testosterone product. Men with hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid, for example, may discover that they produce too much testosterone.

    Treatment for Testosterone-Related Disorders

    • Hormone replacement therapy treats disorders related to low testosterone levels. The testosterone therapy is delivered via injections, tablets, patches and pills. This type of treatment carries the risk of acne, sleep apnea and prostate enlargement. Patients with elevated testosterone levels usually don't require treatment. In cases where the levels are abnormally high, a health care provider will determine the course of action depending on the underlying cause.

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