Testosterone, Total
Measures total testosterone in blood with a sensitive mass-spec style method. Used for low-T symptoms, therapy checks, and some female hormone workups.
Testosterone is the main androgen hormone; it shapes muscle, mood, sex drive, bone health, and how energetic you feel. A total testosterone blood test measures everything circulating in serum, both bound to proteins and not. Doctors order it when symptoms or an exam suggest levels may be low or high, and to track trends after therapy or medicine changes. MedlinePlus notes levels drift through the day and fall with age; morning timing is common so results are easier to compare. One draw is still only a snapshot your doctor reads next to symptoms and other labs.
Self-Pay Price Comparison
| Provider | Price | vs. Highest | Order |
|---|---|---|---|
Quest QuestHealth self-pay | $69.00 | Highest | Order · Quest |
LabCorp Labcorp OnDemand | $69.00 | Highest | Order · LabCorp |
GoodLabs Discount lab network | $11.00Best value | Best price | Order · GoodLabs |
What This Test Measures
Total testosterone rolls bound and free hormone into one serum number, usually reported in ng/dL. Here is how to read that single headline line:
Adds protein-bound and free testosterone in the same serum sample; in adult men a low total pairs with low-androgen symptoms when the draw is a morning sample, a high total is uncommon and needs medicine and repeat context, while in adult women a high total often sits beside excess hair or cycle changes and a low total can still be normal depending on age and cycle phase.
How to Read Your Results
Reference bands differ for men and women and the same total moves with age, time of day, and lab method. Here is what the three common report angles are trying to tell you:
| Marker | Normal Range | If Flagged | What It Might Mean |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total testosterone (male adults) | Male: 300-1,000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) or 10-35 nanomoles per liter (nmol/L) (MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Testosterone test). | abnormal | MedlinePlus notes normal bands can vary slightly by lab and specimen. Low or high numbers line up with symptoms, medicines, illness, sleep, and age; one result in isolation rarely tells the full story. |
| Total testosterone (female adults) | Female: 15-70 ng/dL or 0.5-2.4 nmol/L (MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Testosterone test). | abnormal | MedlinePlus states low testosterone can be normal in females, but extremely low levels may warrant more evaluation. High levels can track with excess hair, cycle changes, or other androgen signs. |
| Total testosterone (trend and timing) | MedlinePlus notes testosterone naturally decreases with age and is usually highest in the morning. | abnormal | A single afternoon draw can read lower than a morning draw without a true change. Repeat testing at a consistent time of day reduces noise. |
When to Order
Annual baseline
Not everyone needs yearly testosterone screening; many doctors add it when fatigue, mood, or metabolic symptoms pile up and the story fits.
Low energy, low sex drive, erectile issues, or loss of muscle (in men)
Those complaints overlap many problems, but total testosterone is a common early blood check when low androgen symptoms are on the list.
Excess body or facial hair, voice changes, or irregular periods (in women)
Higher androgen signs in women can come from ovaries or adrenal glands; testosterone helps your doctor sort whether further hormone testing is worth it.
On testosterone therapy or changing the dose
Repeat levels show whether replacement landed in a sensible band and catch slow drifts before symptoms do.
Early or delayed puberty concerns in adolescents
Pediatric endocrine workups use testosterone alongside growth and other hormones; timing and interpretation belong with a specialist.
Prep & Logistics
- Fasting
- Follow lab instructions
- Sample
- Blood draw
- Results
- Usually 24-48 hours; many portals update the same day or the next.
- Referral
- Often self-order (check local rules)
- Markers
- Total testosterone in ng/dL (some labs also show nmol/L). MedlinePlus notes morning draws are typical because testosterone is higher in the early day; some orders ask you to fast or pause certain medicines, so follow your lab instructions.
Tests That Pair With This One
FAQ
Should I test total T, free T, or both on day one?
Many screens start with a morning total testosterone; free testosterone matters when SHBG is high or low, obesity clouds totals, or symptoms and the headline number disagree. Your clinician decides whether to add LH/FSH or repeat draws.
My total testosterone is 280 ng/dL. Is that automatically low?
Maybe not. MedlinePlus lists a wide male reference band, and labs disagree slightly on cut points. Symptoms, SHBG, free testosterone, and a repeat morning draw matter more than one borderline number.
Why did the lab want a morning appointment?
MedlinePlus explains testosterone is usually highest between about 7 and 10 a.m., so morning draws are easier to compare over time.
Can medicines skew the result?
Yes. MedlinePlus says tell your doctor about everything you take; some drugs and supplements move testosterone or binding proteins. Do not stop prescription medicines unless your doctor agrees.
Sources
Prices pulled directly from provider websites and verified by hand. Reference ranges sourced from MedlinePlus. Not generated by AI.
- GoodLabs - product page (pricing context)(verified 2026-03-23)
- Quest - consumer lab shop (pricing context)(verified 2026-03-23)
- LabCorp OnDemand - total testosterone blood test (pricing context)(verified 2026-03-23)
- MedlinePlus - Testosterone Levels Test overview
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia - Testosterone test (reference ranges)
- Clinical context: LabRecon editorial team. Not medical advice. For informational use only.
Immunoassay or LC-MS/MS quantification of total serum testosterone. Primary marker for hypogonadism screening and TRT monitoring.
Ordering note
LC-MS/MS is more accurate at low levels. Confirm assay method when scraping.