There are no official numbers for the optimal levels of testosterone, but certain medical laboratories use the following reference values for typical total serum testosterone, measured in nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL).

Male

  • 1 to 10 years: 2.5 to 10 ng/dL
  • 10 to 17 years: 100 to 970 ng/dL
  • over 18 years: 264 to 916 ng/dL

Female

  • 1 to 9 years: 2.5 to 10 ng/dL
  • 10 to 19 years: 15 to 38 ng/dL
  • adult:
    • premenopause: 10 to 55 ng/dL
    • postmenopause: 7 to 40 ng/dL

Healthy testosterone levels can vary, and levels of up to 1,000 ng/dL for men and 70 ng/dL for women may be considered normal range.

In men, levels are known to vary widely. Individual differences as well as factors such as the time of day can affect your readings.

High testosterone levels may be caused by various factors, including anabolic steroids, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, or testicular or adrenal tumors.

If you are worried about your testosterone levels, speak with your doctor to discuss your symptoms and concerns. Untreated high levels can lead to infertility, obesity, and in some cases, metabolic disorders. In women, it may be a sign of PCOS.

Medically reviewed by Aaron R. Block, MD MPH CPH DABFM MSCP

Dr. Aaron R. Block is a ABMS certified physician specializing in family medicine and women’s midlife health. He is the CEO, Co-Founder, and practicing physician at The Cove Concierge Medicine in Castle Rock, CO. Education.

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