Testosterone is a vital hormone that plays an important role in many areas of health, especially for men. It's often known as the male sex hormone, but women also produce smaller amounts in their ovaries and adrenal glands.

In men, testosterone is mainly made in the testes and supports key functions like maintaining sex drive, energy, muscle strength, bone health, and mood. It also regulates sperm production, so low levels may impact fertility. Even slight imbalances in testosterone can lead to noticeable changes in how you feel physically and emotionally.

Testosterone levels can be influenced by many factors, including age, stress, sleep quality, and overall lifestyle. Things like drinking too much alcohol, poor diet, lack of exercise, and certain medications or long-term health conditions may lower your body’s ability to produce testosterone.

As we get older, it's natural for testosterone to gradually decline in both men and women. When levels drop too low, it can lead to symptoms like reduced sex drive, tiredness, or low mood. Managing your stress, staying active, and maintaining healthy habits can all play a role in supporting hormone balance.

Testosterone levels naturally rise and fall throughout the day and can even vary from week to week.

Things like stress, physical activity, and alcohol intake can all influence your results. That’s why it’s best to check your testosterone levels in the morning, ideally before 9am, when they’re typically at their peak.

To get the most accurate picture of your baseline, it’s recommended to take two or more readings and compare them. If your results vary by more than 25%, or show a big drop, repeating the test can help confirm whether there’s a real change or just normal fluctuation.

From around the age of 30, men begin to experience a slow and natural drop in testosterone, usually less than 2% per year, which can lead to lower levels later in life. However, low testosterone isn’t just caused by ageing.

It can also result from testicular injury, ongoing stress, being overweight, or using anabolic steroids. Certain health conditions like type 2 diabetes, cancers, or hormone-related tumours (especially in the pituitary gland) may also impact hormone production. Lifestyle choices, such as heavy alcohol use, smoking, lack of exercise, and poor sleep, can further lower testosterone levels over time.

Most testosterone tests can measure levels up to a certain limit, usually around 52 nmol/L.

If your result goes beyond this, the lab may run a second check to give a clearer picture, as long as there’s enough blood left to analyse.

If you're expecting your testosterone to be on the higher side, such as when using hormone treatments or supplements, it's a good idea to opt for a venous blood sample for more reliable and accurate results.

As men get older, it's normal for testosterone levels to slowly decrease, a process sometimes referred to as andropause, male menopause, or manopause. Unlike the more sudden hormonal changes women experience during menopause, this decline in men tends to be gradual and may go unnoticed.

However, some men might feel the effects through reduced energy, low mood, or a dip in libido. If you're noticing these changes, it’s worth talking to your doctor. They might explore whether testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) could help.

The testosterone reference range has been updated, with the lower limit now set at 12 nmol/L, following the 2022 guidelines from the British Society for Sexual Medicine (BSSM).

Our medical recommendations haven’t changed: if your total testosterone is between 8 and 12 nmol/L and you experience symptoms of low testosterone, you might be a candidate for testosterone replacement therapy. However, if your levels are in this range but you don’t have any symptoms, your testosterone is considered adequate, and no treatment is necessary.

You can support healthy testosterone levels by making some positive changes to your daily routine. Simple steps like sleeping well, staying active, eating a balanced diet, and maintaining a healthy weight can all make a difference. It also helps to cut back on alcohol, manage stress effectively, and quit smoking if you haven’t already. These lifestyle habits not only support hormone balance but also boost your overall well-being.

If you’re currently on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), a Testosterone Blood Test can be a helpful way to track your hormone levels. We also offer a dedicated TRT Blood Test that looks at additional markers, like liver function, to give a broader view of your overall health.

If you use testosterone gels or pessaries, be sure to wear gloves when applying them for at least four weeks before taking a finger-prick blood test, residual testosterone on your skin can affect the accuracy of your results.

For the most accurate results, it’s best to take your test in the morning, typically before 10 a.m., when testosterone levels are at their peak.

Testosterone plays an important role in both male and female health, and our Testosterone blood test is suitable for everyone.

While men typically produce higher levels, women also rely on this hormone for functions like bone strength, energy, and sex drive. During menopause, some women may notice a drop in testosterone, which can lead to symptoms such as reduced libido, weaker bones, or vaginal dryness.

On the flip side, conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) can cause unusually high testosterone levels in women, potentially leading to irregular periods, acne, or increased facial hair. If you're concerned about PCOS or hormone imbalances, our dedicated PCOS Blood Test offers a deeper look into the hormones that could be affecting your wellbeing.

Yes, you can do our testosterone test at home using either our finger-prick test kit or a vein blood test kit. We’ll send you everything you need, including easy-to-follow instructions and a prepaid envelope to return your sample.

If you’d prefer, you can also request a phlebotomist to come to your home and take the blood sample for you. At Medimob, we aim to make healthcare more accessible, so you can get the care you need from the comfort of your home.