Testosterone, the male sex hormone, is quite vital for the overall health of human beings, well, especially, male body. However, it is also present in the female body albeit in small amounts. Thus, this indicates that testosterone is quite imperative for human life.
Now that you know about its importance, you must also understand that testosterone is more than just a sex hormone. It is also responsible for sexual development and body growth of men. From developing muscular and bone strength to keeping the mood nice and happy, there is so much a balanced testosterone level does to your body, in case you are a male.
However, it is also true that T-levels surge during the teenage and early 20s and start declining after the age of 30. After 30 years of age, testosterone levels start going down by one to two percent every year.
Therefore it is important to make sure that your T levels are maintained either by taking supplements or by increasing your intake of foods containing Zinc etc.
However, the same can go down or rise up at a young age as well. Thus, it is important to learn about the normal testosterone level by age.
What is testosterone?
Apart from being known as a male sex hormone, testosterone is an androgen and produced in male testicles. Even though it is popular as a ‘male hormone,’ testosterone is also produced in female ovaries and is responsible for various female functions.
Testosterone is produced in high concentration in men and is responsible for healthy libido, muscle mass, bone density, balanced energy levels, and secondary sex characteristics, like hair growth and deeper voice.
Testosterone in women helps in formation of red blood cells, balancing other female hormones, maintaining sexual drive and fertility and regulating the menstrual cycle. Testosterone levels are usually low in both men and women but there are also chances of them going high.
What is the normal level of testosterone in the body?
The normal testosterone level is usually somewhere in the middle of 300 nanograms per decilitre and 1000 nanograms per decilitre. The healthiest of men are expected to have testosterone levels between 400 and 600 ng/dL. Testosterone influences several aspects of the body, including bone density, libido, testicle, and penis growth in males, but of course knowing what is the average penis size can help you with the latter for treatment.
Some factors that influence the level of testosterone are mentioned below –
- Age
- Sex
- Lifestyle
- Health
Thus, the best way to keep your T-levels in balance is via regular exercise, sound sleep and a balanced diet, one that is full of healthy fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.
What do we mean by low testosterone levels?
According to The American Urology Association or (AUA), when the T-levels go below 300 nanograms per decilitre, then the person has low testosterone.
Some of the many symptoms of low T-levels include –
- Low sex drive
- Fatigue
- Erectile dysfunction
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Medical conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes, obesity, cancer, etc
- Reduced muscle mass and more
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, then perhaps it is about time you consulted an expert.
What do we mean by high testosterone level?
High T-level is quite unusual in men over 25 but still, it is very much a part of hormonal imbalance. Children usually have high testosterone levels in their bodies which leads to early puberty. High T-level in a body can very easily lead to infertility, however, and thus, can be checked.
How to measure testosterone levels in humans by age?
The levels of testosterone are usually measured in the unit of nanograms per decilitre (ng/dL). The following table will help you understand the testosterone levels by age both in men and women.
Normal testosterone levels in Infants and children
| Age | Male (in ng/dl) | Female (in ng/dl) |
| 0 to 5 months | 75-400 | 20-80 |
| 6 months to 9 years | Less than 7-20 | Less than 7-20 |
| 10 to 11 years | Less than 7-130 | Less than 7-44 |
Normal testosterone levels in Adolescents
| Age | Male (in ng/dl) | Female (in ng/dl) |
| 12 to 13 years | Less than 7-800 | Less than 7-75 |
| 14 years | Less than 7-1,200 | Less than 7-75 |
| 15 to 16 years | 100-1,200 | Less than 7-75 |
Normal testosterone levels in men and women (Adults)
| Age | Male (in ng/dl) | Female (in ng/dl) |
| 17 to 18 years | 300-1,200 | 20-75 |
| 19 years and older | 240-950 | 8-60 |
There is also another way of measuring the same, that is, through the Tanner Scale. It usually focuses on the visual development of children to adulthood via five stages and then presents the result. Under this measurement table, the results aren’t thus, based on age.
| Tanner stage | Male (in ng/dl) | Female (in ng/dl) |
| I | Less than 7-20 | Less than 7-20 |
| II | 8-66 | Less than 7-47 |
| III | 26-800 | 17-75 |
| IV | 85-1,200 | 20-75 |
| V | 300-950 | 12-60 |
Is Imbalance in testosterone levels common?
According to Urology.org, about 2.1%. That is, 2 men in every 100 might suffer from low T-levels. Around 50% of men who are older than 80 have this problem but that is quite normal since T-levels start declining with age.
Low testosterone level is common in men who have diabetes and/or obesity. However, it can also affect men who are quite healthy and have no physical or any other problem.
Can abnormal levels of testosterone be treated?
Thankfully, the medical world has solutions to bring balance to the hormonal levels of all kinds. Testosterone Boosters are one of the best and most effective ways to treat imbalance in T-level.
Conclusion
Now that you have learned all about the normal, low and high levels of testosterone, it is about time you became sincere about your T-levels. If you have been experiencing any of the symptoms (of T-level imbalance) mentioned in the article, then immediately consult an expert and get yourself diagnosed. Also, make sure that you have a good sleeping and exercise routine along with a good diet plan. Even if you have a high or low level of testosterone, you will soon feel better and live a healthy life once again.
