How to Get Your Testosterone Tested: Types of Tests, Preparation, and Where to Go
Getting your testosterone tested can be useful if you have symptoms or simply want a baseline. But the process is surprisingly easy to get wrong. Test at the wrong time of day, skip the right markers, or misread your results, and you can end up with a misleading picture that either causes unnecessary alarm or masks a real problem.
This guide covers which tests are used, how to prepare, where to get tested, what results mean, and what to expect on cost. Whether you are investigating symptoms of low testosterone or just curious about your baseline, this is the playbook.
Key takeaways
- The Endocrine Society recommends diagnosing low testosterone only in men with symptoms and unequivocally, consistently low levels, using a fasting morning total testosterone that is repeated to confirm[1].
- In men aged 30 to 40, testosterone was 20 to 25% lower at 4 PM than at 8 AM, and some men with a low afternoon reading had normal morning values[2].
- Drinking a 75-gram glucose solution lowered testosterone by about 25% in 74 men, and 15% of men with normal baseline levels dipped into the hypogonadal range at some point, which is why testing should be fasting[3].
- In healthy, non-obese men aged 19 to 39, the harmonized reference range for total testosterone is 264 to 916 ng/dL, but assays differ between labs[4].
Medical Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Testosterone testing and interpretation should be discussed with a qualified healthcare provider. Do not self-diagnose or self-treat based on lab results alone.
Why Men Test Their Testosterone
Testosterone affects muscle mass, bone density, mood, libido, energy and fat distribution. Symptoms of low testosterone such as fatigue, low libido and low mood are common and overlap with dozens of other conditions, so they cannot diagnose it on their own. That is why guidelines combine symptoms with repeated blood tests[1]. The American Urological Association guideline likewise emphasizes accurate assessment of total testosterone alongside symptoms and signs[5].
That 38.7% figure comes from a cross-sectional study of 2,162 men aged 45 and older at US primary care practices, using a threshold of 300 ng/dL and including men with many other health conditions[6]. It shows that low readings are common in clinics, not that most men have a disorder.
Some men also like to have a personal baseline before they make lifestyle changes. If you do, test under standard conditions (see below) and remember that one number, high or low, is not a diagnosis. Knowing your own trend over time is more informative than comparing to a broad population range, because normal testosterone varies by age and individual. In a longitudinal study of men aged 40 to 70, total testosterone fell about 1.6 percent per year within individuals, and bioavailable testosterone fell 2 to 3 percent per year[7].
The Main Tests: Total T, Free T, and SHBG
Total Testosterone
Total testosterone measures all the testosterone in your blood, bound and unbound. It is the first-line test: guidelines recommend a fasting morning total testosterone measured with an accurate and reliable assay, then repeated to confirm[1]. In a harmonized analysis of four cohorts, the reference range in healthy, non-obese men aged 19 to 39 (2.5th to 97.5th percentile) was 264 to 916 ng/dL, and a substantial share of the variation between cohorts was due to assay differences[4]. Your lab's own range may differ, so look at the range printed on your report.
Most circulating testosterone is bound to proteins, mainly sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and albumin, and only a small fraction circulates unbound. That is why total testosterone alone can sometimes tell an incomplete story.
Free Testosterone
Free testosterone is the unbound fraction. The Endocrine Society guideline suggests obtaining free testosterone in men whose total testosterone is near the lower limit of normal or who have a condition that alters SHBG, using equilibrium dialysis or an accurate formula[1]. Be aware that free testosterone is harder to measure than it sounds: a critical review notes recognized problems with both direct measurement and computed values, and questions some of the assumptions behind common calculation models[8]. For that reason, reference ranges for free T depend heavily on the method used and should be interpreted by a clinician.
It is possible for total testosterone to look normal while SHBG is high enough that free testosterone is lower than expected, which is one reason doctors may order SHBG and free T in selected cases.
Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG)
SHBG is the protein that binds testosterone and reduces its bioavailability. It is produced mainly by the liver and is influenced by age, body composition, thyroid function, insulin resistance and certain medications. In the Massachusetts Male Aging Study, SHBG rose with age (about 1.6 percent per year), which is one reason free and bioavailable testosterone declined faster than total testosterone[7].
What clinicians typically add
If testosterone is confirmed low, the guideline recommends additional evaluation to find the cause[1]. That often includes pituitary hormones such as LH and FSH, which help distinguish whether the problem lies in the testes (primary) or in the signal from the brain (secondary), and sometimes prolactin, estradiol, thyroid tests, a complete blood count and metabolic markers. These are decisions for a clinician, based on your symptoms and results, rather than a shopping list to order on your own.
When to Get Tested: Time of Day Matters
Testosterone follows a daily rhythm, with the highest levels in the morning. In a study of 66 men aged 30 to 80, testosterone was 20 to 25 percent lower at 4 PM than at 8 AM in men aged 30 to 40, and the difference declined with age to about 10 percent at age 70. Seventeen men with at least one reading below 300 ng/dL after noon had normal testosterone at all three morning visits[2]. For this reason, blood draws should be done in the morning, ideally under the same conditions each time.
If you test in the afternoon, your result may appear low even if your morning level is normal. If you need to retest or track changes over time, always draw at the same time of day for a valid comparison.
Timing Is Everything
In men aged 30 to 40, testosterone was 20 to 25 percent lower at 4 PM than at 8 AM[2]. If your doctor orders an afternoon draw, ask for a morning appointment instead, and do not make decisions based on a single afternoon result.
How to Prepare for Accurate Results
Preparation matters. Several factors can temporarily change testosterone or the lab values around it. Follow any specific instructions from your doctor or lab, and treat the steps below as general good practice.
Testosterone Test Preparation Checklist
Keep your routine normal
Avoid crash dieting, extreme caloric restriction, or sudden big changes in training. If you are acutely ill or under unusual stress, ask your doctor whether to postpone, since a test during illness may not reflect your usual level.
Go easy on alcohol
A cautious approach is to avoid heavy drinking for a couple of days before the test, both for the blood work and because alcohol disrupts sleep. Tell your doctor about any alcohol use, medications and supplements.
Skip very hard training
A hard resistance session temporarily raises testosterone afterward, so avoid training on the morning of your draw and keep the day before moderate.
Aim for a normal night of sleep
A normal night of sleep keeps your result more representative of your usual level. A single short night is a smaller concern than a week of poor sleep, but it is easy to avoid.
Fast, except for water
Guidelines specify fasting morning samples. Fasting is also required for glucose and lipid tests that are often drawn alongside. Water is fine, and ask your doctor whether to take regular medications.
Draw in the morning
Book an early appointment and use the same lab and time of day for any repeat tests so results are comparable.
Why these steps? Heavy resistance exercise raises testosterone for roughly 15 to 30 minutes afterward[9]. A lab study of 10 young men found that a week of 5-hour nights lowered daytime testosterone by 10 to 15 percent[10]. And glucose intake lowered testosterone by about 25 percent in one study, which is why guidelines specify fasting morning samples[3].
A Quick Note on Interpreting Results
When your results come back, you will see your values alongside a reference range. These ranges are population-based and broad, and differ between assays[4]. A value inside the range does not rule out a problem if you have symptoms, and a value slightly below it does not by itself mean you have a disorder. That is why guidelines call for repeat testing and a clinical assessment before a diagnosis[1]. For reference ranges by decade, see our testosterone levels by age guide.
Where to Get Tested
Through Your Primary Care Doctor
The most straightforward route. Your doctor orders the labs, you go to a draw station, and results usually come back within a few business days. Insurance often covers testing ordered for a clinical reason, such as fatigue, low libido or erectile dysfunction, but coverage varies by plan. Ask your doctor whether total T alone is enough or whether free T, SHBG and other markers are appropriate for your situation.
Direct-to-Consumer Lab Testing
Services such as Quest Direct, Labcorp OnDemand and various online platforms allow you to order blood work without a doctor visit. You choose your panel online, pay out of pocket, visit a local draw station, and receive results electronically. This is convenient, but the results still need clinical interpretation, and a single result is not a diagnosis. Share the results with a doctor.
Telehealth and Hormone Health Platforms
Telehealth platforms specializing in hormone health typically offer at-home blood draw kits or partner with local labs, and often include a physician consultation. They are convenient but tend to cost more, and some are oriented toward prescribing TRT, so be aware of potential bias. An independent physician review of your results is always worth considering. For a detailed comparison of at-home options versus traditional labs, see our guide on home testosterone test kits vs. lab testing.
What Does Testosterone Testing Cost?
Prices vary widely by lab, region, panel and whether a consultation is included, and they change over time. As a rule, a single total testosterone test is the least expensive option, panels that add free T, SHBG, LH, FSH and other markers cost more, and telehealth bundles that include a consult cost the most. Check current prices before ordering, and ask whether your insurance covers a physician-ordered test.
If cost is a concern, start with the test your doctor recommends (usually a fasting morning total testosterone). You can always expand to a fuller panel later if the initial result warrants it.
How Often Should You Retest?
Guidelines call for repeating an abnormal morning fasting testosterone to confirm it before a diagnosis[1]. Beyond that, how often to test depends on your situation. If you are making significant lifestyle changes, such as starting a resistance training program, optimizing sleep, or adjusting your nutrition, retesting after a few months under identical conditions gives a fair before-and-after comparison, though many factors can move a single result. If you are working with a physician on treatment or supplementation, follow their recommended monitoring schedule.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
✓ Do This
- •Test in the morning, fasting, as guidelines specify
- •Repeat an abnormal result before drawing conclusions
- •Ask your doctor which markers are appropriate for you
- •Retest at the same time of day and at the same lab
- •Discuss results with a knowledgeable physician
✗ Avoid This
- •Testing in the afternoon (results may read lower)
- •Eating or drinking sugary drinks before the draw
- •Treating a single result as a diagnosis
- •Comparing results from different labs or times as if equivalent
- •Self-diagnosing or starting treatment without medical guidance
Key Takeaways
- Low testosterone is diagnosed from symptoms plus consistently low fasting morning results, confirmed by a repeat test.
- Draw in the morning: afternoon testosterone can be 20 to 25 percent lower in men aged 30 to 40.
- Total testosterone is the first-line test. Free testosterone and SHBG are used in selected cases, and free T methods have limitations.
- Reference ranges are broad, assay-dependent and population-based. Interpretation belongs with a clinician who considers your symptoms.
- Prices and coverage vary, so check current listings and your plan.
References
- Bhasin S, Brito JP, Cunningham GR, et al.. Testosterone therapy in men with hypogonadism: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2018. doi.org/10.1210/jc.2018-00229
- Brambilla DJ, Matsumoto AM, Araujo AB, McKinlay JB. The effect of diurnal variation on clinical measurement of serum testosterone and other sex hormone levels in men. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2009. doi.org/10.1210/jc.2008-1902
- Caronia LM, Dwyer AA, Hayden D, et al.. Abrupt decrease in serum testosterone levels after an oral glucose load in men: implications for screening for hypogonadism. Clinical Endocrinology. 2013. doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2265.2012.04486.x
- Travison TG, Vesper HW, Orwoll E, et al.. Harmonized reference ranges for circulating testosterone levels in men of four cohort studies in the United States and Europe. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2017. doi.org/10.1210/jc.2016-2935
- Mulhall JP, Trost LW, Brannigan RE, et al.. Evaluation and management of testosterone deficiency: AUA guideline. Journal of Urology. 2018. doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2018.03.115
- Mulligan T, Frick MF, Zuraw QC, et al.. Prevalence of hypogonadism in males aged at least 45 years: the HIM study. International Journal of Clinical Practice. 2006. doi.org/10.1111/j.1742-1241.2006.00992.x
- Feldman HA, Longcope C, Derby CA, et al.. Age trends in the level of serum testosterone and other hormones in middle-aged men: longitudinal results from the Massachusetts Male Aging Study. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2002. doi.org/10.1210/jcem.87.2.8201
- Goldman AL, Bhasin S, Wu FCW, et al.. A reappraisal of testosterone's binding in circulation: physiological and clinical implications. Endocrine Reviews. 2017. doi.org/10.1210/er.2017-00025
- Kraemer WJ, Ratamess NA. Hormonal responses and adaptations to resistance exercise and training. Sports Medicine. 2005. doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200535040-00004
- Leproult R, Van Cauter E. Effect of 1 week of sleep restriction on testosterone levels in young healthy men. JAMA. 2011. doi.org/10.1001/jama.2011.710
Track Your Habits With Thrive
Knowing your numbers is one step. Another is building the daily habits, from sleep and training to stress management, that support your overall health. Log your habits and note your lab results so you and your doctor can see patterns over time. Thrive is a wellness app and not a medical device; it does not diagnose or treat any condition. Try Thrive free and take a data-informed approach to your habits.