Testosterone Levels: What the Numbers Mean
Testosterone is measured in nanograms per decilitre (ng/dL) from a blood sample. The normal range is 300 to 1000 ng/dL. A number on its own cannot diagnose low testosterone, however. Age, body size and your symptoms all have to be considered alongside the result.
What is a normal testosterone level?
The normal range is 300 to 1000 ng/dL. That is a wide span, and where you sit within it matters less than whether your level is appropriate for you and whether you have symptoms.
This is why we do not treat on a number alone. Two men with an identical reading can need entirely different care, depending on their age, body size and how they feel.
What is considered low testosterone?
A result below the normal range points towards low testosterone, but a diagnosis is not made on that basis by itself. We look at your total testosterone, your free testosterone, your age, your body size and the symptoms you are experiencing. A man within the normal range who has clear symptoms may still need treatment; a man slightly below it who feels well may not.
What is the difference between total and free testosterone?
Most of the testosterone in your blood is bound to proteins, principally sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and albumin, and while bound it cannot be used by your body. Free testosterone is the unbound portion, and it is the part that is biologically active.
This is why a total figure alone can mislead. A man with a normal total reading but high SHBG may have very little free testosterone available, and may have symptoms despite a result that looks acceptable. We measure both.
How do I get my testosterone levels checked?
You can complete a blood spot test at home using our lab kit, without visiting a draw station. You register the kit online, collect the sample, allow it to dry, and post it back. A physician then reviews the results with you on a virtual visit.
Lab testing costs $99.
How often should levels be retested?
It depends on your age, weight, your levels at first testing, and your physician’s assessment. Once your optimal levels are established, you can expect lab work every six months.
We also test PSA at baseline and every six months during therapy, to monitor prostate risk.
Can I raise my testosterone naturally?
Sleep, resistance training, reducing excess body fat and managing stress all support healthy hormone function, and they are worth doing whether or not you pursue treatment.
They have limits. If your levels are low because of a medical cause rather than lifestyle, these measures alone are unlikely to bring them into an optimal range. Testing first tells you which situation you are in.
What happens if my levels come back normal?
Then you have ruled something out. Your physician will discuss what else might account for your symptoms, and whether further investigation is worthwhile.
How do I get tested?
Start with a free consultation, by phone or online. If testing is appropriate, a lab kit is sent to you and a physician reviews the results with you on a virtual visit.
Call 1-800-530-7746 or book a free consultation.
Related reading
For independent information on this topic, see the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Medically reviewed by John Webb, MD, MBA on 28 September 2026. Dr. Webb completed a men’s health (Andrology) clinical research fellowship at Harvard Medical School and has nearly 20 years of experience in progressive healthcare leadership.
This page is general information and is not medical advice or a substitute for consultation, diagnosis or treatment by a licensed healthcare professional. Hormone therapy is available only following an evaluation with a licensed Prime Men’s Health provider, who determines eligibility and explains benefits and risks. Depending on federal and state regulations, your treatment plan may require an in-person physical examination.