How To Test Testosterone Levels At Home
Hereâs how to check testosterone levels at home with the Everlywell Testosterone Test:
Once the testosterone test kit arrives, youâll wait until morning to collect your saliva sample. This is because salivary testosterone levels fall throughout the day , so the saliva sample needs to be collected within 30 minutes of waking.
To collect your sample, youâll simply spit into a tube that comes with the kit. Then youâll use a prepaid shipping label â also included with the kit â to send the sample to a lab for analysis.
Once the lab has analyzed your sample, you can view your test results on our secure, online portal.
You Suffer From Low Energy And Foul Moods
Testosterone regulates a mans health inmany ways, including energy levels and overall sense of wellbeing. If yourenergy levels have become noticeably worse than it was a short while ago, oryou find yourself prone to bouts of moodiness, endocrine disruption could bethe likely culprit.
A study published by the Journal OfTherapeutics And Clinical Risk Management in 2009 found that exogenoustestosterone administration improved relative energy levels in hypogonadal men,or those with abnormally low endogenous levels of the hormone.
Supplements : Vitamin D
Summary
Vitamin D3 supplements may boost testosterone levels, especially in the elderly and people who have low blood levels of vitamin D.
59 ).
In one study, zinc and vitamin B supplements increased sperm quality by 74%. Zinc also boosts testosterone in athletes and those who are deficient in zinc .
Other studies also suggest vitamins A, C and E can play a role in your sex hormone and testosterone levels, although more research is needed .
Out of all the vitamins and minerals available, the research on testosterone shows vitamin D and zinc supplements may be best .
Summary
Vitamin D and zinc have the strongest evidence as testosterone boosters. Other micronutrients may also have benefits, but require further research.
It may also have major effects on your testosterone levels.
The ideal amount of sleep varies from person to person, but one study found that sleeping only 5 hours per night was linked to a 15% reduction in testosterone levels .
One long-term study observed that those who slept only four hours per night had borderline deficient levels .
Other long-term studies support this. One study calculated that for every additional hour of sleep you get, testosterone levels rise 15% higher, on average .
Although some people seem to do fine with less sleep, research suggests around 710 hours of sleep per night is best for long-term health and your testosterone.
Only a few natural testosterone boosters are supported by scientific studies.
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How To Test Your Testosterone Levels
Supplements that help to increase yourtestosterone levels are big business. To be precise, such supplements are amulti-billion dollar industry, which shows that they are in high demand. Butthe question remains- do they really work?
They may, or they may not, but much of thisdepends on one fundamental piece of information- your current testosteronelevels. What? Youve never had your testosterone levels checked? The results ofdoing so could have far reaching implications, since if you dont know whereyou currently are, how will you know where to go?
This is especially true when it comes toyour attempts at increasing testosterone. There is the real possibility thatyou arent seeing benefit from consumption of testosterone boosters becauseyour levels are already optimal or on the flipside, because the supplement is underdosed and you need something stronger to compensate for your low serum levelsof this hormone.
Contents
Whats The Difference Between A Testosterone Blood Test And A Saliva Test
Both blood tests and saliva tests are well-established techniques for clinically measuring testosterone levels in men and women. But there are a few differences between these two testing methods:
- Sample type – Testosterone is circulated throughout your body by the bloodstream, and a fraction of it enters your saliva. Blood tests measure testosterone levels in a sample of blood, but saliva tests use a sample of saliva.
- Collection process – Blood samples are often collected through a blood draw , while saliva samples are often much easier to collect: you just spit into a tube, for example.
- Units of measure – Blood tests use nanograms per deciliter . Saliva tests use picograms per milliliter . For comparison, 1 ng/dL = 10 pg/mL, so the numerical results from two different tests that use different types of samples will look completely different. It doesnât mean either test is inaccurate.
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How Is Low Testosterone Diagnosed
Low testosterone is diagnosed by measuring the amount of testosterone in the blood with a blood test. It may take several measurements to determine if a patient has low testosterone, since levels tend to change throughout the day. The highest levels of testosterone are generally in the morning, near 8 a.m. This is why doctors prefer to measure testosterone levels in the early morning.
How Do You Test Your Testosterone Levels What Testosterone Is United States
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When Should You Check Testosterone Levels
In the majority of men, testosterone levels begin to naturally decline from the age of 40 – this decline tends to be pretty gradual at around 1% per year. For those deficient in the hormone, testosterone replacement therapy may be considered.
In saying that, if you suspect you may have a hormonal imbalance or would simply like to know more about your testosterone levels, you can get an idea of your hormonal health with a testosterone test.
The most reliable way to check testosterone levels from home is with an at-home Testosterone Test. The process is simple:
LetsGetCheckeds Testosterone Test offers a complete insight into your testosterone levels by measuring the amount of testosterone in your blood. Once your sample arrives in our certified laboratory, confidential results will be available from your secure online account within 2 to 5 days.
What Is A Testosterone Levels Test
Testosterone is the main sex hormone in males. During a boy’s puberty, testosterone causes the growth of body hair, muscle development, and deepening of the voice. In adult men, it controls sex drive, maintains muscle mass, and helps make sperm. Women also have testosterone in their bodies, but in much smaller amounts.
This test measures the levels of testosterone in your blood. Most of the testosterone in the blood is attached to proteins. Testosterone that is not attached to a protein is called free testosterone. There are two main types of testosterone tests:
- Total testosterone, which measures both attached and free testosterone.
- Free testosterone, which measures just free testosterone. Free testosterone can give more information about certain medical conditions.
Testosterone levels that are too low or too high can cause health problems in both men and women.
Other names: serum testosterone, total testosterone, free testosterone, bioavailable testosterone
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Signs And Symptoms Of Testosterone Deficiency In Men
There are many non-specific somatic and psychological symptoms associated with hypogonadism . Any one finding alone is insufficient grounds to order a testosterone test.
Late-onset hypogonadism is most specifically defined by the presence of at least three sexual symptoms associated with low testosterone and/or a low cBAT3 Erectile dysfunction in isolation is not an indication for testosterone testing because the prevalence of hypogonadism among patients with erectile dysfunction is low.4
Table 1: Symptoms and signs of testosterone deficiency in men, in order of specificity5, 6
| Specific to testosterone deficiency |
|---|
|
Adapted from Bhasin 20106 and Bhasin 20185
Some symptoms of hypogonadism in men 40 years overlap with normal effects of aging.7 The documentation of low total testosterone in elderly men with non-specific symptoms of hypogonadism does not necessarily imply that low testosterone is the cause.
Ask A Laboratory Scientist
This form enables patients to ask specific questions about lab tests. Your questions will be answered by a laboratory scientist as part of a voluntary service provided by one of our partners, American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science. Please allow 2-3 business days for an email response from one of the volunteers on the Consumer Information Response Team.
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What To Do If I Have Low Testosterone
If the results of your testosterone testing indicate that you have Low-T, depending on your presenting symptoms and medical history, your doctor may prescribe testosterone injections. While testosterone therapy can be given in other forms, our doctors have found that testosterone injections are the safest and most effective form of testosterone therapy.
If the results of your testosterone blood tests indicate that your testosterone levels are below the normal ranges for your age, weight and gender, you may be a candidate for testosterone replacement therapy.
Control These To Increase Testosterone:
- Physical activity, eating & sleeping habits
If you want to boost your testosterone production, focus on high-intensity training sessions, that require short bursts of power.
Focus on whole, unprocessed organic foods, red meats & quality sources of fats.
Sleep should be at the very least 7 hours per night, depending on levels of physical activity.
Some individuals may require upwards of 10 hours of sleep per night, given that their daily routine is exhausting.
- Supplements
Supplementing with vitamins and herbs or extracts is one of the things that you can do to boost test levels.
If possible, eliminate prescription drugs, as they negatively impact your testosterone levels.
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What Is An At
Most at-home testosterone tests measure your testosterone levels by analyzing your saliva. Your body naturally secretes hormones like testosterone in your saliva, and laboratories can use different methods to test the amount present.
People have used at-home testosterone tests as an alternative to a blood test for detecting the amount of testosterone present in your body. To do this, purchase a test kit, follow the directions, and send it to the laboratory via mail. The laboratory tests the saliva and provides your results.
Other at-home test kits require blood samples for testing, which usually involve a finger stick and applying the blood to a spot or tube for collection.
The American Urology Association recommends collecting a testosterone sample first thing in the morning. This is when testosterone levels are likely to be at their lowest.
Why You Should Test Your Testosterone Levels
The fact of the matter is that all adultmen should be checking their testosterone values at leastannually, though there is the general consensus of a wait and see approach.
What does that mean? Simply that most menwill wait until certain signs and symptoms start to manifest before consideringdoing a test. Not ideal, as pre-emptive checks done regularly could have possiblyaverted the issues you are now experiencing altogether.
It is recommended that men begin routine testosterone checks after the age of 40, though with the rate the average testosterone levels are decreasing nowadays it would serve you well to start much sooner.
Nonetheless, here are a few of the morecommon reasons why you should have your testosterone levels checked:
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What Does An At
Most at-home testosterone testing kits include the following:
- A tube or specimen collection receptacle
- Directions on how to provide a sample
- A biohazard bag to put the sample in
- An envelope with prepaid shipping
If at any time you have questions about providing your sample, contact the company directly to ensure you get the best results.
Exercise And Lift Weights
Exercise is one of the most effective ways to prevent many lifestyle-related diseases. Interestingly, it can also boost your testosterone.
A large review study found that people who exercised regularly had higher testosterone levels. In the elderly, exercise increases testosterone levels, fitness and reaction time .
New research in obese men suggests that increased physical activity was even more beneficial than a weight loss diet for increasing testosterone levels .
Resistance training, such as weight lifting, is the best type of exercise to boost testosterone in both the short- and long-term .
High-intensity interval training can also be very effective, although all types of exercise should work to some extent .
Taking caffeine and creatine monohydrate as supplements may further boost your levels when combined with a training program .
Summary
All forms of exercise may increase your testosterone levels. Weight lifting and high-intensity interval training are the most effective.
Therefore, you must pay attention to your long-term calorie intake and diet strategy.
Constant dieting or overeating may disrupt your testosterone levels .
Eating enough protein can help maintain healthy levels and aid in fat loss, which is also associated with your testosterone (
Carb intake also plays a role, with research showing carbs can help optimize testosteronelevels during resistance training (
37 ).
40 ).
Summary
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High Levels Of Testosterone In Women
Although any number of reasons can cause a woman to produce too much testosterone, one problem, in particular, can lead to this situation. A condition called PCOS polycystic ovarian syndrome can induce high levels of testosterone in women. A woman may have an apple shaped body or be dealing with obesity in cases of PCOS. Ovarian tumors can also elevate testosterone secretion.
Some of the possible symptoms of high testosterone levels in women are:
- Oily skin or acne
- Irregular periods or menstrual cessation
- Deepening of the voice
- Increased muscle mass
Elevated testosterone levels in women may also lead to carbohydrate intolerance that increases weight gain, insulin resistance, high LDL and low HDL cholesterol levels, raised triglycerides, and high blood pressure.
As a woman ages, dealing with PCOS may increase the risk of developing heart disease. The effects associated with this condition, and the symptoms of high testosterone levels for women can create many problems that may lead to depression. It is just as important to seek out medical help for high testosterone levels as it is for when they are low.
How Do You Test For Low Testosterone
Screening for low testosterone can be done with the Everlywell at-home test. This low testosterone test measures free testosteroneâinstead of total testosteroneâand only requires a simple saliva collection done in the morning . After collecting your sample, you send it to a lab for analysis. Youâll get your secure, online test result just a few days later.
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Blood Vs Saliva Testosterone Test
When deciding if to opt for blood or salivatestosterone analysis, if accuracy of results is of paramount importance to you, then nothing can beat good old blood testing done via ablood draw. This is in fact the standard recommended by The AmericanAssociation of Clinical Endocrinologists for checking hormones, as it isthe most comprehensive method to analyze them.
Saliva tests offer convenience above allelse, and may be better suited for individuals that have a phobia of needles,or if you desire to test multiple times in order to observe patterns intestosterone level fluctuations over the course of the day, or multiple days ina stretch.
Testosterone In Sports And Exercise
Testosterone can be an advantage in sport and exercise. Firstly, testosterone helps your body build muscle and increase strength. Testosterone is also essential for energy and motivation, so it could affect the amount of exercise you can do. Testosterone could even help your body to use fat as fuel for your exercise.
Intense training without enough time for recovery can put you at risk of overtraining syndrome associated with a long-term decrease in your testosterone levels. Symptoms of overtraining include chronic fatigue, weakness, and low mood. Overtraining syndrome can be damaging to your performance and could even lead to injuries, such as fractures.
Long-term use of anabolic steroids can cause shrinkage to your testes and lead to low testosterone levels in the body.
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Normal And Abnormal Levels
A normal testosterone level range for men is 300 to 1,000 nanograms per deciliter . For women, its between 15 and 70 ng/dL. However, its also considered normal to have changes in your level of testosterone throughout your life.
Testosterone levels can decrease naturally due to your age or other health conditions. After the age of 40, mens testosterone levels decrease by an average of at least 1 percent every year. Some symptoms of low testosterone, particularly erectile dysfunction, are commonly seen in men over 40. Low testosterone levels have often been observed in people with obesity, no matter their age.
The most common testosterone-related problem in men is hypogonadism, also called low testosterone.
Your testosterone level may be abnormally low if you have one or more of the following symptoms:
- inability to achieve an erection
- inability to conceive a child
- overall tiredness
Women with too much testosterone may grow facial hair, develop a deeper voice, or experience decreased breast size. Too much testosterone in women can also cause acne.
One possible cause of too much testosterone in women is polycystic ovary syndrome . PCOS can make it difficult to get pregnant and interfere with menstruation.
Abnormally high or low levels of testosterone in men and women can indicate other serious conditions. High T levels can indicate ovarian or testicular cancer. Low T levels can indicate chronic illness or a problem with the pituitary gland, which releases hormones.