In the UK the testosterone prescriptions jumped up nearly 90 percent between 2000 and 2010. [11. There are a variety of reasons for this, such as the influence of the media , however it’s likely that the deficiency of testosterone is actually increasing.

Do declining testosterone levels mean that it is simply a normal occurrence of aging?

The answer is yes to a certain degree. However, testosterone levels can vary greatly between men. So finding out whether your testosterone level is excessive or low isn’t always simple. We take a look at the way testosterone levels alter with age, ways to test your testosterone levels and when it’s worth looking into it more.

Is testosterone a substance?

Testosterone is the primary testosterone hormone that men use to sex. It’s most famous for its part in the formation of male sexual characteristics and also helps regulate:

• Sex drive (libido)
• Muscle strength and mass
• The composition of the body and distribution of fat
• Body hair growth
• Production of red blood cells
• Production of Sperm

Because of its multiple roles, testosterone levels are insufficient and can trigger a variety of symptoms like lower libido, erectile problems and reduced muscle strength and mass.

Testosterone performs different roles at various stages of your life. It’s especially important in puberty, when it triggers numerous metabolic and physical changes within the body. Because of this, testosterone levels naturally alter over time.

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Testosterone levels over the course of your life

Before you even get a baby the testes begin to release small amounts of testosterone (33. Its levels rise throughout childhood, and, perhaps increase during the teenage years. When you reach your 20s testosterone levels are at the most elevated they’ll ever be.

The testosterone levels slowly decrease for the remainder of your life for most men, however it could be a little different from what you’d expect.

One study which examined more than 50k male blood samples revealed there was a slow decline in testosterone levels starting at age 30, however this decrease was more evident after age 80.

How come testosterone levels decrease?

To comprehend why testosterone levels drop it is essential to know the way testosterone levels are managed.

Two brain regions are involved, namely the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus instructs the pituitary gland to secrete the hormone luteinising (LH) which stimulates Leydig cells within the testes, to produce testosterone.

As you get older this process gets affected in both the brain and also in the tests [5]:

• Leydig cells diminish in numbers and are less responsive to LH.
• The hypothalamus releases less gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). GnRH is necessary for stimulating the pituitary gland in order to produce LH.

As you age, you are more susceptible to certain diseases that may influence the way your glands and organs communicate, for example:

• Kidney disease and liver problems
• Obesity
• Diabetes

Normally when testosterone levels are excessively overly high, our body notices this and stops further testosterone being produced. In the end, it is believed that this feedback loop is extremely sensitive over time, and stops testosterone release even if testosterone levels aren’t particularly increased [55.

What is the average testosterone level for me?

The normal level of testosterone for males in adulthood is 8.7-29 numol/L (250-836 Ng/dL). The majority of UK labs will employ the same reference intervals. These numbers don’t take any symptoms or baseline values or the decline of age into consideration. However, your doctor will take into account the above when interpreting your levels. In the event that your testosterone level is lower than 12 nmol/L, and you suffer from symptoms, you might be able to benefit from TRT. (TRT).

A study from 2024 looked at testosterone levels of 1,486 males aged between 20 to 44 [66. To determine the testosterone levels that are normal for each age group, they used the middle third of the range and labeled the results as normal (according according to American Urological Association’s standard definition for normal testosterone):

• Age 20-24

  • Testosterone (nmol/L): 14.2-19.3
  • Testosterone (ng/dL): 409-558

• Age 25-30

  • Testosterone (nmol/L): 14.3-19.9
  • Testosterone (ng/dL): 413-575

• Age 30-34

  • Testosterone (nmol/L): 12.4-17.3
  • Testosterone (ng/dL): 359-498

• Age 35-40

  • Testosterone (nmol/L): 12.2-16.5
  • Testosterone (ng/dL): 352-478

• Age 40-44

  • Testosterone (nmol/L): 12.1-16.4
  • Testosterone (ng/dL): 350-473

Because this data is taking the middle third of the spectrum as normal the normal ranges could be too small. As more information becomes available, it’s probable that the testosterone reference ranges will expand to include the age-specific value.

Perhaps what’s most important is the general pattern of your testosterone levels and whether you experience any symptoms. If you’re not experiencing any symptoms, but you are on the low end of normal you could be normal for you.

A cross-sectional cohort study of 434 males [7] revealed signs were higher to manifest when testosterone levels dropped below those levels

• 15 nmol/L, reduced energy levels
• 12 nmol/L Weight gain
• 10 nmol/L Low mood
• 8 nmol/L – erectile dysfunction

Do I require TRT?

An elevated testosterone level by itself does not necessarily warrant alarm. For instance, a 50-year-old man who has testosterone levels of 8.5 Nmol/L but with no signs will likely not receive treatment, even if his levels aren’t in those of normal. Most of the time, changing to a healthier diet can boost your testosterone level naturally.

The decision to begin the testosterone replacement treatment (TRT) is contingent on the results of your evaluation by your doctor. However, these thresholds provided by the British Society for Sexual Medicine (BSSM) [8] could be useful in helping you get the most from your test results:

• Testosterone levels higher more than 12nmol/L generally don’t require treatment.
• The levels of testosterone between 8 and 12 numol/L (or between 8 and 14 nmol/L in the case that you are pre-diabetic) may require a test treatment with testosterone (TRT) in the event of signs of a testosterone deficiency. In these situations it is important to test the levels of testosterone in your body, which is often along with other male sexual hormones.
• Testosterone levels that are less of 8 nmol/L generally need treatment

Sometimes testosterone levels are not abnormal however there are still signs that testosterone deficiencies are present. In these situations the full screening for sex hormones is helpful for determining testosterone levels, which include levels of free testosterone (FT) and the luteinising hormone (LH) as well as follicle-stimulating hormonal (FSH) as well as the sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). In these situations, LH may be raised or SHBG might be low.

The fact you have testosterone levels that are low, however, does not necessarily mean that you don’t need treatment.

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What can I do to check your testosterone level?

You can test the levels of testosterone at your home with an at-home Testosterone Blood Test. If you want an even more thorough analysis of your hormone levels you can take a Male Hormone Test looking at more of the male hormones.

Both tests involve finger-pricks that you can do at home. It is important to test your samples in the early morning (ideally around 7 – 10 am) because testosterone levels are at their highest at the time of the day. If your test results are unusual or borderline it could be requested to take another sample to confirm the results.

What can I do to reduce the decline in testosterone?

There’s no reason to be concerned when you’re finding that your levels of testosterone are slowly dropping — this is an inevitable part of aging. There are however some modifications to your lifestyle that you can make to avoid testosterone levels falling more rapidly:

• Lose weight if you’re overweight — Being overweight decreases testosterone by increasing insulin resistance, reducing sex hormone binding globulin, and suppressing the testosterone-regulating centers in the brain. Being deficient in testosterone leads to the increase in body fat on the lean mass, creating a self-perpetuating cycle [99.
• Stay active The aerobic exercises and high intensity interval exercise (HIIT) are excellent methods of increasing testosterone levels in older men [10 11, 11].
• Reduce consumption of alcohol Alcohol consumption lowers testosterone levels and could cause weight increase. Therefore, try to avoid drinking more than the suggested 14 units each week.
• Consume a balanced, healthy and balanced diet Reduce your intake on processed and fried food items. Instead, choose abundant fresh fruit and vegetables, seafood and whole grain products [1313.
• Beware of anabolic steroids Anabolic steroids could cause longer-term issues, including lower testosterone levels later in life [14 15, 1514 and 15.

Check out our guide to male hormones for additional ways to boost testosterone level naturally.

Even if you’re leading the most healthy lifestyle you can, however, for a tiny percent of men, their levels may remain in an amount that triggers symptoms. It’s usually caused by the root issue. In these situations the testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) could be helpful.

Testosterone levels, age and

Despite the increasing popularity of the treatment of testosterone, you don’t have a reason to fret or worry about how much testosterone you have.

If you’re experiencing signs of testosterone deficiency, then by all means, you should check your levels and talk to your physician. In the event that you are not sure, know that testosterone levels will slowly decrease as you grow older.

Where can you test for low testosterone?

If you’re worried that your testosterone levels aren’t high enough and you’d like to be checked for low testosterone levels, then a basic test of your blood to determine the levels of testosterone is a great place to begin.

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