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Average Testosterone Levels By Age
Average testosterone levels by age vary considerably between men and women. As the male sex hormone, testosterone levels are significantly higher in males than in females, who have naturally higher levels of estrogen.
Men need estrogen, and women also need testosterone, just in different amounts. Another fact to consider is that estradiol, the leading form of estrogen, is synthesized by the enzyme aromatase from testosterone.
Looking at the average hormone levels by age, we find that although both men and women begin to experience a decline in testosterone production while still in their twenties, the decrease percentages vary considerably. Men see a one to two percent decline in testosterone secretion each year.
For women, the reduction is very slight until menopause, when it drops rapidly due to ovarian hormone production cessation. That is why the average testosterone levels by age 50 for women tend to change dramatically.
Once menopause begins in a woman’s early fifties (most often), progesterone, DHEA, testosterone, and estrogen levels all decline. An oophorectomy (surgical removal of the ovaries) causes immediate menopause and hormone reduction.
Average testosterone levels by age vary considerably between men and women.
What Is the Difference Between Total and Free Testosterone Levels?
When looking at the average testosterone levels by age, the numbers may seem confusing. You will find different charts for total testosterone and free testosterone. What is the difference between them?
For testosterone to circulate in your bloodstream, it must attach itself to one of two proteins – sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and albumin. The connection to SBHG is tight, which means the testosterone must separate from the protein before it is available to the androgen receptors to take in and use. Albumin binding is loose, allowing the testosterone to be bioavailable to the receptors.
Total testosterone encompasses all the testosterone in your body:
- That which is bound to one of the two proteins
- The amount that is free in the bloodstream and ready for entering the cells
Free testosterone is only the amount of testosterone unbound to a protein.
When doctors look at your average testosterone level by age for total testosterone, they check to see if your body is producing enough of the androgen hormone for its needs. When looking at free testosterone, we can determine if there is a problem with the availability of the hormone.
Another aspect of checking the free average testosterone level at age 30 and above is to see if the testosterone/estrogen ratio is off. If the body produces too much aromatase (which occurs in people who are overweight), then too much testosterone will convert to estradiol. That can lead to a condition called estrogen dominance and further weight gain.
Total Testosterone Levels Charts by Age
As we look at the average total testosterone levels by age in men, you will notice something of interest – the numbers change dramatically based on body composition. It has long been known that obesity and weight gain lead to lower testosterone levels.
A confusing factor is that the normal range of total testosterone for men between the ages of 19 and 39 is 264 to 916 ng/dL. There is a considerable difference between having only 264 ng/dL of testosterone in the body compared to someone who has 916 ng/dL. In fact, the American Urological Association set 300 ng/dL as a defining mark for doctors to use for low testosterone. However, they also state that it is just a guideline, and for doctors also to use symptoms and health to determine hypogonadism.
In the average testosterone levels by age chart below, you will see the percentile rankings by age for total testosterone in all males (obese and nonobese included).
Average Total Testosterone Levels for All Males: ng/dL | ||||||
Percentile | Age 19 – 39 | Age 40 – 49 | Age 50 – 59 | Age 60 – 69 | Age 70 – 79 | Age 80 – 99 |
2.5% | 229 | 208 | 192 | 190 | 190 | 119 |
10% | 318 | 283 | 262 | 260 | 259 | 256 |
25% | 396 | 358 | 341 | 340 | 340 | 338 |
50% | 507 | 461 | 446 | 446 | 446 | 446 |
75% | 626 | 588 | 573 | 572 | 572 | 572 |
97.5% | 902 | 902 | 902 | 902 | 902 | 902 |
Average testosterone levels by age 40 are significantly lower than they were when men were in their twenties. Along with the decline that continues with age, you will see the difference when looking at nonobese males in the following chart:
Average Total Testosterone for All Nonobese Males: ng/dL | ||||||
Percentile | Age 19 – 39 | Age 40 – 49 | Age 50 – 59 | Age 60 – 69 | Age 70 – 79 | Age 80 – 99 |
2.5% | 267 | 234 | 219 | 218 | 218 | 157 |
10% | 344 | 310 | 297 | 296 | 292 | 278 |
25% | 424 | 386 | 374 | 374 | 372 | 362 |
50% | 531 | 481 | 477 | 477 | 477 | 476 |
75% | 643 | 68 | 605 | 604 | 604 | 604 |
97.5% | 929 | 929 | 929 | 929 | 926 | 913 |
What are average testosterone levels by age for women?
The normal range for total testosterone in females is between 30 and 95 ng/dL, significantly lower than for males. That is also why even a slight decline can signal problems for a woman.
The total testosterone levels by age female chart below highlights what doctors often consider as low testosterone levels:
Low Total Testosterone Levels in Women by Age | |
Age 49 and under | Less than 25 ng/dL |
Age 50 and over | Less than 20 ng/dL |
According to LabCorp, reference ranges for total testosterone levels in women are as follows:
- Premenopausal: 10.0 to 55.0 ng/dL
- Postmenopausal: 7.0 to 40.0 ng/dL
Free Testosterone Levels Charts By Age
Because only a small percentage of the testosterone in the bloodstream is unattached at any given moment, the average free testosterone levels by age are significantly lower than total testosterone.
Below you will find the average testosterone levels in males by age chart for free testosterone:
Male Age | Free Testosterone Range pg/mL |
18 to 30 | 47.7 – 173.9 |
31 to 40 | 42.3 – 190.0 |
41 to 50 | 30.3 – 183.2 |
51 to 60 | 35.8 – 168.2 |
61 to 70 | 34.7 – 150.3 |
71 to 80 | 31.7 – 120.8 |
81 to 100 | 20.7 – 97.4 |
The chart below shows the free average testosterone levels by age for women:
Female Age | Free Testosterone Range pg/mL |
18 to 30 | 1.1 – 12.9 |
31 to 40 | 0.7 – 7.9 |
41 to 50 | 0.5 – 6.0 |
51 to 60 | 0.4 – 6.7 |
61 to 70 | 0.4 – 7.0 |
71 to 80 | 0.3 – 5.7 |
81 to 100 | 0.2 – 5.6 |
Why Do Testosterone Levels Change As You Age?
The correlation between testosterone levels and age is not unique. Other hormones, including DHEA, progesterone, estrogen, and growth hormone also decline with age.
One reason for a decline in sex hormones is the end of fertility. While menopause brings an apparent end to a woman becoming pregnant, it is not the same with males, who can continue producing sperm until the end of their lives. However, there is still a significant decrease in testosterone levels in men with aging.
As you saw in the testosterone levels by age tables above, some form of decline is inevitable. The question is, how much will your testosterone levels decline? The higher the reduction, the more likely it is for you to experience symptoms of Low T.
Adequate sleep, nutrition, weight control, stress reduction, and exercise can all help maintain higher average testosterone levels by age. Male or female, you can take steps to protect testosterone production in your body at any age.
How to Know If You Have Normal, Low, or High Testosterone Levels
To find out if you have low, high, or average levels of testosterone by age, you will need to undergo blood analysis. Hormone specialists check more than just total and free testosterone levels when men and women exhibit symptoms of hormonal imbalance. A thorough diagnostic review of bloodwork can help determine the best course of action.
If you want to find out your average testosterone levels by age or wish to learn more about testosterone therapy for men and women, contact Greenberg Health for a free consultation today.