Free testosterone is the amount of testosterone in the body that is available to the cells and tissues. It is considered the active form of testosterone and plays an important role in vital bodily functions like bone density, muscle mass, sex drive, mood, and energy levels.
Normal Ranges
The normal range can vary slightly between labs, but general guidelines for healthy free testosterone levels are:
- For adult men:
- Age 20-40 years: 50-210 pg/mL
- Age 41-60 years: 46-180 pg/mL
- Age 61 years: 41-160 pg/mL
- For adult women:
Note: 1 pg/mL = 1 ng/dL
Causes of Low Free Testosterone
There are several potential causes of low free testosterone levels. The most common include:
- Aging: Testosterone production naturally starts to decline after age 30.
- Obesity: Excess weight interferes with hormonal balance.
- Chronic conditions: Diabetes, liver or kidney disease, cancer treatments and other conditions can impact testosterone.
- Inflammation: Chronic inflammation reduces available testosterone.
- Stress: Prolonged stress raises cortisol which uses building blocks needed for testosterone production.
Signs and Symptoms
Some common signs and symptoms of
low free testosterone include:
Testing Free Testosterone Levels
If low testosterone is suspected, free testosterone levels can be tested through a simple blood test. It's best to test in the early morning when levels peak.
Some doctors may test total testosterone instead, but checking
free testosterone directly is preferred as it gives a more accurate picture of what testosterone is readily usable.
Increasing Free Testosterone Naturally
For men with mildly low free testosterone, the following natural ways may help boost levels:
- Exercise and lose weight
- Strength training is especially helpful
- Reduce stress through techniques like meditation, yoga or just making more time for fun activities
- Get at least 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night
- Eat a balanced, nutrient-dense diet
- Make sure to get enough vitamin D, zinc and other testosterone-supporting nutrients
- Limit or avoid alcohol and drug use
- Consider testosterone-boosting supplements like ashwagandha, zinc, DHEA or others after discussing options with your healthcare provider
Hormone Replacement Therapy
For men with clinical
testosterone deficiency and bothersome symptoms, hormone replacement therapy may be appropriate and life-changing. This involves taking prescription testosterone medication - usually a gel, injection, patch or pellet implant.
The well-trained physicians at
Balance Hormone Clinic specialize in testosterone and
hormone therapy for both men and women. We take an integrative approach focused on uncovering the root causes of
hormone imbalance. () to discuss your health goals and see if hormone therapy could benefit you.
I hope this overview on free testosterone levels and causes of low testosterone provides helpful information! Please let me know if you have any other questions.
