Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhy Test at Home?Conditions DetectedTypes of TestsHow to Take a TestInterpretationAccuracySeeing a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Why Test at Home?
Conditions Detected
Types of Tests
How to Take a Test
Interpretation
Accuracy
Seeing a Provider
Testosterone tests are used to check blood levels of the sex hormonetestosterone. This test is typically performed on a sample collected at a clinic or lab. However, self-test kits are increasingly available online and at select pharmacies and big box stores. People of any sex can use the tests. The results can determine if your testosterone levels are normal or abnormal.
On their own, results are not diagnostic of any medical condition, but having an abnormally high or low testosterone level may indicate a medical condition in need of treatment. These include testicular dysfunction, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), adrenal tumors, and Cushing’s disease.Low testosterone levelsmay also account for problems with fertility or sexual function.
This article explains what at-home testosterone kits are used for, how they work, and what they can and cannot do. It also explains possible causes of high and low testosterone levels and what to do if an abnormal result is returned.
Chalffy / Getty Images
A Note on Gender and Sex TerminologyVerywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
A Note on Gender and Sex Terminology
Verywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
Reasons to Use Testosterone Test Kits
At-home medical tests are increasingly common among U.S. consumers, offering autonomy, privacy, and convenience, often at a lower cost than a medical visit. They are largely regarded as “gateway” tests because abnormal results can prompt a user to seek medical care.
With an at-home testosterone kit, a person can detect if their body is making too little or too much testosterone, referred to as:
At-home testosterone tests can be used in males and females. Although testosterone is typically higher in males due to production in the testes, it is alsoproduced at lower levels in femalesand people without testes. It has functions in the female body, including sex drive, bone and muscle health, and mental sharpness and performance.
People often purchase an at-home test if they have infertility, sexual dysfunction, or other symptoms suggestive of low or high testosterone.
Blood Draw Is Most Accurate
Symptoms of Low Testosterone
Hypogonadism can affect males, females, and people who are intersex. In males, the prolonged effects of low testosterone can lead to the development of secondary sexual characteristics more typical of females, sometimes referred to as feminization.
Low testosterone may have no symptoms. Symptoms of abnormally low testosterone levels include:
Symptoms of High Testosterone
Hyperandrogenism is more common in females and can manifest with virilization (the developmental secondary sexual characteristics more typical for males) and other symptoms.Males can also be affected, but symptoms are often non-specific or only appear when testosterone levels are excessively high.
Symptoms in MalesAcneAggressivenessMood swingsIncreased body hairIncreased appetiteHigh libidoHeadachesInsomniaEnlarged penisUrination problems (due to an enlarged prostate)Symptoms in FemalesIrregular or no periodsWeight gainAcneFacial or body hair growthThinning scalp hairInfertilityDepressionSkin tagsEnlarged clitorisDark skin patches in the armpits or under the breast
Symptoms in MalesAcneAggressivenessMood swingsIncreased body hairIncreased appetiteHigh libidoHeadachesInsomniaEnlarged penisUrination problems (due to an enlarged prostate)
Acne
Aggressiveness
Mood swings
Increased body hair
Increased appetite
High libido
Headaches
Insomnia
Enlarged penis
Urination problems (due to an enlarged prostate)
Symptoms in FemalesIrregular or no periodsWeight gainAcneFacial or body hair growthThinning scalp hairInfertilityDepressionSkin tagsEnlarged clitorisDark skin patches in the armpits or under the breast
Irregular or no periods
Weight gain
Facial or body hair growth
Thinning scalp hair
Infertility
Depression
Skin tags
Enlarged clitoris
Dark skin patches in the armpits or under the breast
Potential Causes of High and Low Testosterone
At-home testosterone tests can only tell if your testosterone levels are low or high. While they cannot tell you what exactly is causing the problem, any changes in testosterone ultimately involve one of two things:
The dysfunction of these organs has many possible causes.
Causes of Hypogonadism
Hypogonadism is categorized as either being primary or secondary. Primary hypogonadism is when something is wrong with your testicles or ovaries, while secondary hypogonadism involves problems with the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, or adrenal glands.
The causes can also be congenital (something you are born with) or acquired (something that occurs after birth).
Congenital causes of primary hypogonadism include:
Acquired causes of primary hypogonadism include:
Congenital causes of secondary hypogonadism include:
Acquired causes of secondary hypogonadism include:
Causes of Hyperandrogenism
Hyperandrogenism is more common in females because testosterone levels considered normal in males can be 15 times higher than what would be normal in females.
Common causes include:
Types of Testosterone Tests
Various at-home kits can measure different forms of testosterone in your blood or saliva. “Finger-prick” blood tests tend to be the most accurate, but saliva-based tests are painless and ideal for people who are squeamish about blood.
In general practice, there are three types of testosterone tests:
While older at-home tests measured only total testosterone, newer-generation blood and saliva tests can also measure free and bioavailable testosterone.
How to Take a Testosterone Test
At-home testosterone tests are available without a prescription. The kits are mail-in tests, meaning that you take a sample of blood or saliva at home and mail it to a lab for testing.
When you first receive the kit, you will register on a secure website with the manufacturer. Once the sample has been processed, the results will be returned via the website, usually within a few days.
Are There Food Restrictions?
Saliva tests for testosterone vary. Some require an oral swab, while others ask that you spit into a test tube. The most accurate request several samples throughout the day.
What follows is an example of instructions for a multiple-sample saliva-based test:
What follows is an example of instructions for an at-home testosterone blood test:
Do I Need to Stop Medications?
If you are onoral contraceptives, you would need to take the test midway between doses (such as at 8:00 a.m. if you take an 8:00 p.m. dose). Call the manufacturer to ensure you are taking the test correctly if you are on any medications.
Blood Testosterone Test
A venous blood draw testosterone test will be performed at a clinic or lab. You will receive instructions as to fasting and preparation.
The technician will identify you. You will be seated, and a tourniquet will be placed on your arm. The blood draw site will be sterilized.
The technician will insert a needle into a vein, and blood will be drawn into a tube. The needle is removed and a bandage is placed. The tubes are labeled with your identification and sent to the lab for testing.
Testosterone Test Results: What’s Normal vs. Abnormal?
Normal Testosterone Levels
Total testosterone (TT) and bioavailable testosterone (BT) are both measured in nanograms per deciliters (ng/dL). Free testosterone (FT) is measured in picograms per deciliters (pg/dL).
Abnormal Testosterone Levels
Any value that falls above or below the reference range of value is considered abnormal. With that said, reference ranges can vary from one lab to the next, and expert interpretation may be needed.
Generally speaking, an early morning total testosterone result below the reference range indicates hypogonadism. People with symptomatic hypogonadism may benefit fromtestosterone replacement therapy.However, there are times when treatment is contraindicated and also times when treatment will not result in any changes.
By contrast, an early morning total testosterone above the reference range generally indicates hyperandrogenism. In females particularly, this could suggest a need for hormonal therapy (such asbirth control pills) to correct the imbalance of sex hormones.
Treatment of the underlying cause may also be needed, along with treatment for symptoms like hormone-induced feminization and virilization.
Can Supplements Boost Testosterone?
Are Testosterone Test Kits Reliable?
It is difficult to assess how accurate at-home testosterone kits are because most studies evaluate the technology and/or method of testing in a clinic rather than in the home. But, even when used in clinics, there is a wide range of variability in the accuracy of these tests.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that while such tests are “critically important,” they also tend to be “unreliable.” This is especially true when testosterone levels are low.
A 2016 study in theJournal of Sexual Medicinefound that the variability of testosterone test results can be as high as 40% when levels are below 100 ng/dL.And that’s a problem because even subtle differences in hormone levels can indicate a health concern, particularly in females.
When the tests are used in a home setting, the risk of user error or improper preparation, collection, storage, handling, or shipping only adds to these concerns.
The interpretation of test results can also vary dramatically based on whether you have obesity, diabetes, or heart disease or even take cholesterol medications.So, the results may only have real value when taken and interpreted in the proper context.
None of this is meant to suggest that at-home testosterone kits have no value. If performed correctly with a full understanding of the test’s limitations, they may prompt you to seek medical care if you suspect something is wrong and the test results are abnormal.
How Much Do Testosterone Kits Cost?
When choosing a test, opt for those that are CLIA-certified. These are considered the gold standard because their testing facilities adhere to the same regulations as hospital labs.
The 6 Best At-Home Sperm Tests for Reliable Results
At-home testosterone tests should not be used to determine if you need testosterone shots or to see if you have infertility or PCOS. It takes much more than a single test to determine that.
The tests can provide a starting point to discuss a medical concern with a healthcare provider. If you have symptoms that concern you—such as chronic fatigue, low sex drive, gynecomastia, or sudden hair thinning—an abnormal test result may provide evidence of concern and allow your provider to repeat the test and order others.
In the end, if you suspect you have a hormonal problem of any sort, speak with a healthcare provider. A testosterone test may help but is not necessarily needed.
Summary
At-home testosterone kits are mail-in tests that can tell you if you have high or low testosterone levels. The tests can be used in males and females and involve a blood or saliva sample.
Testosterone tests cannot diagnose any medical condition but can point a healthcare provider in the direction of a medical concern if testosterone levels are abnormally high or low.
18 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Davis SR, Wahlin-Jacobsen S.Testosterone in women–the clinical significance.Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2015;3(12):980-992. doi:10.1016/S2213-8587(15)00284-3TRTed.org.Clinical vs. home testosterone test,Richard-Eaglin A.Male and female hypogonadism.Nurs Clin North Am.2018;53(3):395-405. doi:10.1016/j.cnur.2018.04.006Sharma A, Welt CK.Practical approach to hyperandrogenism in women.Med Clin North Am.2021;105(6):1099–1116. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2021.06.008Kianian R, Eleswararpu SV, Donin NM.A middle-aged man with hyperandrogenic state.Urol Case Rep.2023;47:102354. doi:10.1016/j.eucr.2023.102354Sterling J, Bernie AM, Ramasamy R.Hypogonadism: easy to define, hard to diagnose, and controversial to treat.Can Urol Assoc J.2015;9(1-2):65–68. doi:10.5489/cuaj.2416Bhasin S, Jayasena CN.Hypogonadism.Endocrinol Metabol Clinics.2022;51(1):5-16. doi:10.1016/j.ecl.2021.11.015MedlinePlus.Testosterone levels test.Guzelce EC, Galbiati F, Goldman AL, Gattu AK, Basaria S, Bhasin S.Accurate measurement of total and free testosterone levels for the diagnosis of androgen disorders.Best Practice & Research Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2022;36(4):101683. doi:10.1016/j.beem.2022.101683ZRT Laboratory.Saliva testing instructions.Everlywell.How to collect my blood spot sample (with video).University of Iowa.Laboratory services handbook: testosterone, free and total, adult.Thirumalai A, Berkseth K, Amory J.Treatment of hypogonadism: current and future therapies.F1000Res. 2017;6:68. doi:10.12688/f1000research.10102.1Rivas AM, Mulkey Z, Lado-Abeal J, Yarbrough S.Diagnosing and managing low serum testosterone.Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent). 2014;27(4):321-324. doi:10.1080/08998280.2014.11929145Zimmerman Y, Eijkemans MJ, Coelingh bennink HJ, Blankenstein MA, Fauser BC.The effect of combined oral contraception on testosterone levels in healthy women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Hum Reprod Update. 2014;20(1):76-105. doi:10.1093/humupd/dmt038Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Standardizing hormone measurements.Trost LW, Mulhall JP.Challenges in testosterone measurement, data interpretation, and methodological appraisal of interventional trials.J Sex Med.2016;13(7):1029–1046. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2016.04.068Marriott RJ, Murrary K, Adams RJ, et al.Factors associated with circulating sex hormones in men: individual participant data meta-analyses.Ann Intern Med. 2023;176(9):1221-1234. doi:10.7326/M23-0342
18 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Davis SR, Wahlin-Jacobsen S.Testosterone in women–the clinical significance.Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2015;3(12):980-992. doi:10.1016/S2213-8587(15)00284-3TRTed.org.Clinical vs. home testosterone test,Richard-Eaglin A.Male and female hypogonadism.Nurs Clin North Am.2018;53(3):395-405. doi:10.1016/j.cnur.2018.04.006Sharma A, Welt CK.Practical approach to hyperandrogenism in women.Med Clin North Am.2021;105(6):1099–1116. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2021.06.008Kianian R, Eleswararpu SV, Donin NM.A middle-aged man with hyperandrogenic state.Urol Case Rep.2023;47:102354. doi:10.1016/j.eucr.2023.102354Sterling J, Bernie AM, Ramasamy R.Hypogonadism: easy to define, hard to diagnose, and controversial to treat.Can Urol Assoc J.2015;9(1-2):65–68. doi:10.5489/cuaj.2416Bhasin S, Jayasena CN.Hypogonadism.Endocrinol Metabol Clinics.2022;51(1):5-16. doi:10.1016/j.ecl.2021.11.015MedlinePlus.Testosterone levels test.Guzelce EC, Galbiati F, Goldman AL, Gattu AK, Basaria S, Bhasin S.Accurate measurement of total and free testosterone levels for the diagnosis of androgen disorders.Best Practice & Research Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2022;36(4):101683. doi:10.1016/j.beem.2022.101683ZRT Laboratory.Saliva testing instructions.Everlywell.How to collect my blood spot sample (with video).University of Iowa.Laboratory services handbook: testosterone, free and total, adult.Thirumalai A, Berkseth K, Amory J.Treatment of hypogonadism: current and future therapies.F1000Res. 2017;6:68. doi:10.12688/f1000research.10102.1Rivas AM, Mulkey Z, Lado-Abeal J, Yarbrough S.Diagnosing and managing low serum testosterone.Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent). 2014;27(4):321-324. doi:10.1080/08998280.2014.11929145Zimmerman Y, Eijkemans MJ, Coelingh bennink HJ, Blankenstein MA, Fauser BC.The effect of combined oral contraception on testosterone levels in healthy women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Hum Reprod Update. 2014;20(1):76-105. doi:10.1093/humupd/dmt038Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Standardizing hormone measurements.Trost LW, Mulhall JP.Challenges in testosterone measurement, data interpretation, and methodological appraisal of interventional trials.J Sex Med.2016;13(7):1029–1046. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2016.04.068Marriott RJ, Murrary K, Adams RJ, et al.Factors associated with circulating sex hormones in men: individual participant data meta-analyses.Ann Intern Med. 2023;176(9):1221-1234. doi:10.7326/M23-0342
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Davis SR, Wahlin-Jacobsen S.Testosterone in women–the clinical significance.Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2015;3(12):980-992. doi:10.1016/S2213-8587(15)00284-3TRTed.org.Clinical vs. home testosterone test,Richard-Eaglin A.Male and female hypogonadism.Nurs Clin North Am.2018;53(3):395-405. doi:10.1016/j.cnur.2018.04.006Sharma A, Welt CK.Practical approach to hyperandrogenism in women.Med Clin North Am.2021;105(6):1099–1116. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2021.06.008Kianian R, Eleswararpu SV, Donin NM.A middle-aged man with hyperandrogenic state.Urol Case Rep.2023;47:102354. doi:10.1016/j.eucr.2023.102354Sterling J, Bernie AM, Ramasamy R.Hypogonadism: easy to define, hard to diagnose, and controversial to treat.Can Urol Assoc J.2015;9(1-2):65–68. doi:10.5489/cuaj.2416Bhasin S, Jayasena CN.Hypogonadism.Endocrinol Metabol Clinics.2022;51(1):5-16. doi:10.1016/j.ecl.2021.11.015MedlinePlus.Testosterone levels test.Guzelce EC, Galbiati F, Goldman AL, Gattu AK, Basaria S, Bhasin S.Accurate measurement of total and free testosterone levels for the diagnosis of androgen disorders.Best Practice & Research Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2022;36(4):101683. doi:10.1016/j.beem.2022.101683ZRT Laboratory.Saliva testing instructions.Everlywell.How to collect my blood spot sample (with video).University of Iowa.Laboratory services handbook: testosterone, free and total, adult.Thirumalai A, Berkseth K, Amory J.Treatment of hypogonadism: current and future therapies.F1000Res. 2017;6:68. doi:10.12688/f1000research.10102.1Rivas AM, Mulkey Z, Lado-Abeal J, Yarbrough S.Diagnosing and managing low serum testosterone.Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent). 2014;27(4):321-324. doi:10.1080/08998280.2014.11929145Zimmerman Y, Eijkemans MJ, Coelingh bennink HJ, Blankenstein MA, Fauser BC.The effect of combined oral contraception on testosterone levels in healthy women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Hum Reprod Update. 2014;20(1):76-105. doi:10.1093/humupd/dmt038Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Standardizing hormone measurements.Trost LW, Mulhall JP.Challenges in testosterone measurement, data interpretation, and methodological appraisal of interventional trials.J Sex Med.2016;13(7):1029–1046. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2016.04.068Marriott RJ, Murrary K, Adams RJ, et al.Factors associated with circulating sex hormones in men: individual participant data meta-analyses.Ann Intern Med. 2023;176(9):1221-1234. doi:10.7326/M23-0342
Davis SR, Wahlin-Jacobsen S.Testosterone in women–the clinical significance.Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2015;3(12):980-992. doi:10.1016/S2213-8587(15)00284-3
TRTed.org.Clinical vs. home testosterone test,
Richard-Eaglin A.Male and female hypogonadism.Nurs Clin North Am.2018;53(3):395-405. doi:10.1016/j.cnur.2018.04.006
Sharma A, Welt CK.Practical approach to hyperandrogenism in women.Med Clin North Am.2021;105(6):1099–1116. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2021.06.008
Kianian R, Eleswararpu SV, Donin NM.A middle-aged man with hyperandrogenic state.Urol Case Rep.2023;47:102354. doi:10.1016/j.eucr.2023.102354
Sterling J, Bernie AM, Ramasamy R.Hypogonadism: easy to define, hard to diagnose, and controversial to treat.Can Urol Assoc J.2015;9(1-2):65–68. doi:10.5489/cuaj.2416
Bhasin S, Jayasena CN.Hypogonadism.Endocrinol Metabol Clinics.2022;51(1):5-16. doi:10.1016/j.ecl.2021.11.015
MedlinePlus.Testosterone levels test.
Guzelce EC, Galbiati F, Goldman AL, Gattu AK, Basaria S, Bhasin S.Accurate measurement of total and free testosterone levels for the diagnosis of androgen disorders.Best Practice & Research Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2022;36(4):101683. doi:10.1016/j.beem.2022.101683
ZRT Laboratory.Saliva testing instructions.
Everlywell.How to collect my blood spot sample (with video).
University of Iowa.Laboratory services handbook: testosterone, free and total, adult.
Thirumalai A, Berkseth K, Amory J.Treatment of hypogonadism: current and future therapies.F1000Res. 2017;6:68. doi:10.12688/f1000research.10102.1
Rivas AM, Mulkey Z, Lado-Abeal J, Yarbrough S.Diagnosing and managing low serum testosterone.Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent). 2014;27(4):321-324. doi:10.1080/08998280.2014.11929145
Zimmerman Y, Eijkemans MJ, Coelingh bennink HJ, Blankenstein MA, Fauser BC.The effect of combined oral contraception on testosterone levels in healthy women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Hum Reprod Update. 2014;20(1):76-105. doi:10.1093/humupd/dmt038
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Standardizing hormone measurements.
Trost LW, Mulhall JP.Challenges in testosterone measurement, data interpretation, and methodological appraisal of interventional trials.J Sex Med.2016;13(7):1029–1046. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2016.04.068
Marriott RJ, Murrary K, Adams RJ, et al.Factors associated with circulating sex hormones in men: individual participant data meta-analyses.Ann Intern Med. 2023;176(9):1221-1234. doi:10.7326/M23-0342
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