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This is awesome information for those that get confused by their blood test results and want to know their true levels based on their AGE which greatly determine whats "NORMAL" and what is not.
Assessing Normal Testosterone Levels
Determining the normal testosterone levels for your age, and reaching an optimal zone, can greatly increase your odds of successful treatment.
When testosterone levels are maximized; it enables the energy, strength, and motivation needed to live your life to the fullest.
But if they aren't managed properly, or your low testosterone symptoms remain after treatment, it can lead to an alternatively frustrating experience (as I'm sure many of you can attest to).
Although the research on appropriate testosterone levels has generally been scant up until this point, I was able to find a couple good studys indicating average ranges in the male population at large.
The following free and total blood testosterone tables indicate the downwards trend as men age.
Average Testosterone Levels by Age in Men
Vermeulen, A. (1996). Declining Androgens with Age: An Overview. In Vermeulen, A. & Oddens, & B. J. (Eds.), Androgens and the Aging Male (pp. 3-14). New York: Parthenon Publishing.
Measurements in SI Units (nmol/L)
Age Number Total Stand Free Stand SHBG Stand
of of Test Dev Test Dev. Dev.
Subjects Subjects
25-34 45 21.38 5.90 0.428 0.098 35.5 8.8
35-44 22 23.14 7.36 0.356 0.043 40.1 7.9
45-54 23 21.02 7.37 0.314 0.075 44.6 8.2
55-64 43 19.49 6.75 0.288 0.073 45.5 8.8
65-74 47 18.15 6.83 0.239 0.078 48.7 14.2
75-84 48 16.32 5.85 0.207 0.081 51.0 22.7
85-100 21 13.05 4.63 0.186 0.080 65.9 22.8
Measurements in Conventional Units (ng/dl), SHBG in (nmol/L)
Age Number Total Stand Free Stand SHBG Stand
of of Test Dev Test Dev Dev.
Subjects Subjects
25-34 45 617 170 12.3 2.8 35.5 8.8
35-44 22 668 212 10.3 1.2 40.1 7.9
45-54 23 606 213 9.1 2.2 44.6 8.2
55-64 43 562 195 8.3 2.1 45.5 8.8
65-74 47 524 197 6.9 2.3 48.7 14.2
75-84 48 471 169 6.0 2.3 51.0 22.7
85-100 21 376 134 5.4 2.3 65.9 22.8
Normal Testosterone Levels in Men (Non-Diabetic)
Simon, D., Nahoul, K., & Charles M.A. (1996). Sex Hormones, Aging, Ethnicity and Insulin Sensivity in Men: An Overview of the TELECOM Study. In Vermeulen, A. & Oddens, and B. J. (Eds.), Androgens and the Aging Male (pp. 85-102). New York: Parthenon Publishing.
Measurements in SI Units (nmol/L)
Age Number Mean Stand Median 5th% 10th% 95th%
of of Total Dev Total
Subjects Subjects Test Test
<25 125 23.97 5.48 24.15 14.15 16.22 33.12
25-29 354 23.18 7.14 22.08 13.46 15.18 34.84
30-34 330 21.53 6.72 20.70 12.07 13.46 33.81
35-39 212 20.70 6.55 19.66 11.39 13.46 32.77
40-44 148 20.70 6.87 20.70 11.04 13.11 32.43
45-49 154 18.91 5.66 18.28 11.39 12.42 29.32
50-54 164 18.87 6.49 17.94 10.01 12.07 32.43
55-59 155 19.14 6.04 18.97 11.04 11.73 30.01
Measurements in Conventional Units (ng/dl)
Age Number Mean Stand. Median 5th% 10th% 95th%
of of Total Dev. Total
Subjects Subjects Test Test
<25 125 692 158 697 408 468 956
25-29 354 669 206 637 388 438 1005
30-34 330 621 194 597 348 388 975
35-39 212 597 189 567 329 388 945
40-44 148 597 198 597 319 378 936
45-49 154 546 163 527 329 358 846
50-54 164 544 187 518 289 348 936
55-59 155 552 174 547 319 338 866
Male Androgen Levels in an Unhealthy Population
Depending on the lab your doctor uses, male testosterone levels typically range between 250ng/dl and 850 ng/dl.
As you may well imagine, these ranges are not set to optimal levels. They are a cross section of men aged 20 to 100; many sick and diseased, from a lifetime of unhealthy habits.
So when your blood work arrives and your doctor refuses treatment due to your "normal" testosterone levels, when it's actually somewhere closer to the bottom of the range, then a gentle reminder of optimal health may be in order.
If you kindly point out you have the T levels of a sick 90 year old, maybe he/she will come around.
Emphasize Low Testosterone Symptoms
If your doctor is stubborn, or doesn't like their patients being active participants in their own healthcare... you may be better off emphasizing your symptoms that are more specific to low testosterone.
Noting a loss of sex drive, development of impotence, or reduced muscle mass and strength should give any knowledgeable doctor a red flag that T levels aren't on par.
Depression, fatigue, and loss of motivation are also commonly caused by low testosterone. Unfortunately many doctors would rather prescribe an antidepressant than bring back to normal a natural substance your body already makes.
Doctor being Stubborn? Up the Ante to Ensure Treatment
If all else fails, play the desperation card. Maybe tell him your you're at the cusp of getting fired due to poor work performance.
Or alternatively, your wife/girlfriend has shown concern over your sex drive/impotence problems or recent lack of ambition.
Most doctors with a soul will come around once you explain the seriousness of your case. And if they don't? Shop around.
Good Luck!
Assessing Normal Testosterone Levels
Determining the normal testosterone levels for your age, and reaching an optimal zone, can greatly increase your odds of successful treatment.
When testosterone levels are maximized; it enables the energy, strength, and motivation needed to live your life to the fullest.
But if they aren't managed properly, or your low testosterone symptoms remain after treatment, it can lead to an alternatively frustrating experience (as I'm sure many of you can attest to).
Although the research on appropriate testosterone levels has generally been scant up until this point, I was able to find a couple good studys indicating average ranges in the male population at large.
The following free and total blood testosterone tables indicate the downwards trend as men age.
Average Testosterone Levels by Age in Men
Vermeulen, A. (1996). Declining Androgens with Age: An Overview. In Vermeulen, A. & Oddens, & B. J. (Eds.), Androgens and the Aging Male (pp. 3-14). New York: Parthenon Publishing.
Measurements in SI Units (nmol/L)
Age Number Total Stand Free Stand SHBG Stand
of of Test Dev Test Dev. Dev.
Subjects Subjects
25-34 45 21.38 5.90 0.428 0.098 35.5 8.8
35-44 22 23.14 7.36 0.356 0.043 40.1 7.9
45-54 23 21.02 7.37 0.314 0.075 44.6 8.2
55-64 43 19.49 6.75 0.288 0.073 45.5 8.8
65-74 47 18.15 6.83 0.239 0.078 48.7 14.2
75-84 48 16.32 5.85 0.207 0.081 51.0 22.7
85-100 21 13.05 4.63 0.186 0.080 65.9 22.8
Measurements in Conventional Units (ng/dl), SHBG in (nmol/L)
Age Number Total Stand Free Stand SHBG Stand
of of Test Dev Test Dev Dev.
Subjects Subjects
25-34 45 617 170 12.3 2.8 35.5 8.8
35-44 22 668 212 10.3 1.2 40.1 7.9
45-54 23 606 213 9.1 2.2 44.6 8.2
55-64 43 562 195 8.3 2.1 45.5 8.8
65-74 47 524 197 6.9 2.3 48.7 14.2
75-84 48 471 169 6.0 2.3 51.0 22.7
85-100 21 376 134 5.4 2.3 65.9 22.8
Normal Testosterone Levels in Men (Non-Diabetic)
Simon, D., Nahoul, K., & Charles M.A. (1996). Sex Hormones, Aging, Ethnicity and Insulin Sensivity in Men: An Overview of the TELECOM Study. In Vermeulen, A. & Oddens, and B. J. (Eds.), Androgens and the Aging Male (pp. 85-102). New York: Parthenon Publishing.
Measurements in SI Units (nmol/L)
Age Number Mean Stand Median 5th% 10th% 95th%
of of Total Dev Total
Subjects Subjects Test Test
<25 125 23.97 5.48 24.15 14.15 16.22 33.12
25-29 354 23.18 7.14 22.08 13.46 15.18 34.84
30-34 330 21.53 6.72 20.70 12.07 13.46 33.81
35-39 212 20.70 6.55 19.66 11.39 13.46 32.77
40-44 148 20.70 6.87 20.70 11.04 13.11 32.43
45-49 154 18.91 5.66 18.28 11.39 12.42 29.32
50-54 164 18.87 6.49 17.94 10.01 12.07 32.43
55-59 155 19.14 6.04 18.97 11.04 11.73 30.01
Measurements in Conventional Units (ng/dl)
Age Number Mean Stand. Median 5th% 10th% 95th%
of of Total Dev. Total
Subjects Subjects Test Test
<25 125 692 158 697 408 468 956
25-29 354 669 206 637 388 438 1005
30-34 330 621 194 597 348 388 975
35-39 212 597 189 567 329 388 945
40-44 148 597 198 597 319 378 936
45-49 154 546 163 527 329 358 846
50-54 164 544 187 518 289 348 936
55-59 155 552 174 547 319 338 866
Male Androgen Levels in an Unhealthy Population
Depending on the lab your doctor uses, male testosterone levels typically range between 250ng/dl and 850 ng/dl.
As you may well imagine, these ranges are not set to optimal levels. They are a cross section of men aged 20 to 100; many sick and diseased, from a lifetime of unhealthy habits.
So when your blood work arrives and your doctor refuses treatment due to your "normal" testosterone levels, when it's actually somewhere closer to the bottom of the range, then a gentle reminder of optimal health may be in order.
If you kindly point out you have the T levels of a sick 90 year old, maybe he/she will come around.
Emphasize Low Testosterone Symptoms
If your doctor is stubborn, or doesn't like their patients being active participants in their own healthcare... you may be better off emphasizing your symptoms that are more specific to low testosterone.
Noting a loss of sex drive, development of impotence, or reduced muscle mass and strength should give any knowledgeable doctor a red flag that T levels aren't on par.
Depression, fatigue, and loss of motivation are also commonly caused by low testosterone. Unfortunately many doctors would rather prescribe an antidepressant than bring back to normal a natural substance your body already makes.
Doctor being Stubborn? Up the Ante to Ensure Treatment
If all else fails, play the desperation card. Maybe tell him your you're at the cusp of getting fired due to poor work performance.
Or alternatively, your wife/girlfriend has shown concern over your sex drive/impotence problems or recent lack of ambition.
Most doctors with a soul will come around once you explain the seriousness of your case. And if they don't? Shop around.
Good Luck!