Normal Testosterone Levels by Age: Reference Ranges Explained
Compare adult testosterone reference ranges by age, understand laboratory differences, and learn why draw time and repeat testing matter when reading your result.
Medically reviewed by Rhonda Collins, FNP-C | Mito Health on September 9, 2026.
Quick Summary
Age alone cannot tell you whether your testosterone number is normal. Start with the reference interval on your own laboratory report, then consider the collection time and your symptoms or signs. Laboratory methods and reference populations differ, so an online chart cannot replace your report’s range. A single result does not establish testosterone deficiency. Endocrine Society guideline.
The men’s table below shows one laboratory’s adult total testosterone interval across age decades. It is a reference example, not an age-specific target. Female reference values appear separately.
Men’s total testosterone ranges by age
One laboratory’s adult reference interval, shown by decade
Mayo Clinic Laboratories publishes one adult male interval for ages 19 and older. The same interval appears in each decade below because this source does not define separate adult decade ranges. The source is Mayo’s total testosterone test using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Mayo Clinic Laboratories TTST.
| Age (years) | Total testosterone (ng/dL) |
|---|---|
| 20–29 | 240–950 ng/dL |
| 30–39 | 240–950 ng/dL |
| 40–49 | 240–950 ng/dL |
| 50–59 | 240–950 ng/dL |
| 60–69 | 240–950 ng/dL |
| 70–79 | 240–950 ng/dL |
| 80+ | 240–950 ng/dL |
These are examples from one laboratory, not Mito-specific ranges or diagnostic thresholds. Use the reference interval printed on your own laboratory report.
Why laboratories report different ranges
Testosterone reference intervals depend on the assay used to measure the sample and the population used to establish the range. That makes the interval on your own report the appropriate comparison for that test. Check that you are also comparing the same measurement and units: total testosterone and free testosterone have different reference sets. Endocrine Society guideline.
A laboratory reference interval describes a range established from a reference population. A clinical cutoff serves a different purpose: it supports an assessment alongside symptoms, signs, and repeat measurements. The two should not be used interchangeably. AUA testosterone deficiency guideline.
Why morning draws and repeat testing matter
Testosterone follows a daily rhythm, with levels generally highest in the morning. Results also vary from day to day, so collection conditions matter when comparing measurements. Endocrine Society guideline.
For assessment of testosterone deficiency in men, the American Urological Association recommends two total testosterone measurements on separate occasions, both early in the morning. One low measurement does not establish a diagnosis. AUA testosterone deficiency guideline.
The Endocrine Society specifically recommends fasting morning total testosterone testing and a repeat fasting morning measurement to confirm the result. Follow the preparation instructions for your ordered test, and discuss repeat testing with your doctor when a result needs evaluation. Endocrine Society guideline.
What the AUA’s 300 ng/dL cutoff means
The American Urological Association uses total testosterone below 300 ng/dL as a reasonable cutoff supporting assessment for testosterone deficiency in men. A value below it is not a diagnosis by itself: diagnosis requires low testosterone levels together with symptoms or signs. The assessment also requires the separate early-morning measurements described above. AUA testosterone deficiency guideline, statements 1–3.
This clinical cutoff does not replace the reference interval printed on your laboratory report. Being inside a laboratory interval cannot, by itself, settle the reason for symptoms either.
Total versus free testosterone
Total testosterone includes both protein-bound and unbound testosterone. Free testosterone is the unbound portion; much of the rest is bound to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) or albumin. Mayo Clinic Laboratories TTST.
Free testosterone can help with assessment when total testosterone is near the lower reference limit or when SHBG is altered. The Endocrine Society recommends measuring it by equilibrium dialysis or estimating it with a validated calculation using total testosterone, SHBG, and albumin. Endocrine Society guideline.
If free testosterone is part of your evaluation, Mito’s Testosterone, Free and Total Blood Test is a separate product to explore. The methods described above are guideline context; they do not specify which method this product uses. Check the test details and the reference intervals supplied with your results.
Female testosterone ranges: a separate reference set
Mayo Clinic Laboratories lists an adult female total testosterone interval of 8–60 ng/dL for ages 19 and older for its LC-MS/MS test. This is a separate reference set from the men’s table, and the male diagnostic cutoff does not apply. Use the interval printed on your own laboratory report. Mayo Clinic Laboratories TTST.
This female interval is educational context, not a claim that either linked Mito test uses Mayo’s method or is suitable for every reader. Confirm the appropriate test for your evaluation with your doctor.
What to do with your result
Read your result alongside its laboratory interval, collection time, and clinical context. If you have symptoms or a result that needs explanation, bring the report to your doctor to discuss what further assessment is appropriate.
For total testosterone measurement, explore Mito’s Testosterone, Total Blood Test. Its product page is the place to check the current test details before ordering.
For a result above your laboratory’s range, continue to our guide to high testosterone when you’re not on TRT. For the separate treatment topic, see our testosterone replacement therapy guide.
This article is for education and does not diagnose a condition or recommend treatment. Your own laboratory report and an individualized clinical assessment are needed to interpret your result.
References
- Mayo Clinic Laboratories: Testosterone, Total, Mass Spectrometry, Serum (TTST)
- American Urological Association: Testosterone Deficiency Guideline
- Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline, JCEM
Men’s hormone tests
Testosterone, Free and Total Blood Test
A complete view of testosterone: total levels plus the free portion available for your body to use.
Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG) Blood Test
The transport protein that decides how much of your testosterone and estradiol is actually available to tissues.
Measure the main estrogen of the reproductive years with a standalone blood test.
DHEA-Sulfate (DHEA-S) Blood Test
The main marker of adrenal androgen production, central to working up androgen excess.
