Testosterone Blood Test Panels: Free & Total T Levels
One morning blood draw turns "my energy feels off" from a guess into a number you can track.
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At a glance
Testosterone blood testing measures the amount of testosterone circulating in your blood, reported as total, free, or bioavailable levels, often alongside sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). It is built for men investigating symptoms like persistent fatigue, low libido, or slower training recovery, and for anyone tracking hormone levels over time with their doctor. You order online, complete a quick blood draw at a local lab, and receive results to review with your physician.
Best suited for
- Men noticing persistent fatigue, low libido, mood changes, or slower training recovery who want objective data to bring to their doctor
- Men who want a baseline testosterone reading now so age-related change is trackable later
- People on a doctor-managed hormone plan who need periodic levels ahead of follow-up visits
- Athletes and lifters tracking hormone markers alongside changes in training, sleep, or body composition
- Women whose doctors have suggested checking androgen levels, such as markers associated with PCOS
What's included
Testosterone, Total
Measures all circulating testosterone, both protein-bound and free
Testosterone, Free and Total
Adds the unbound fraction that is biologically available to tissues
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)
The carrier protein that governs how much testosterone circulates free
Deep-dive the key markers: Total Testosterone
Key biomarker ranges
Commonly used adult reference ranges for markers this panel measures, labs vary, so always interpret results against your lab's stated ranges and with your doctor.
Adult male ranges shown; commonly used reference ranges run roughly 300–1,000 ng/dL, with morning draws the standard since levels peak early in the day.
| Zone | Range |
|---|---|
| Low | 0–300 ng/dL |
| Normal range | 300–1000 ng/dL |
| High | 1000–1200 ng/dL |
The importance of testing
Testosterone influences muscle mass, bone density, red blood cell production, mood, energy, and sex drive, and levels tend to decline gradually with age. The symptoms people associate with low testosterone, fatigue, reduced libido, difficulty building muscle, low mood, are non-specific and can have many causes, which is exactly why measuring matters: a blood test replaces guesswork with a number you and your doctor can compare against an age-based reference range.
The distinction between total and free testosterone is where testing gets useful. Most circulating testosterone is bound to SHBG and albumin; only a small unbound fraction is free to act on tissues. Because SHBG levels shift with age, weight, thyroid status, and medications, a total testosterone value can sit in the normal range while free testosterone runs low, or vice versa. Panels that pair total testosterone with free testosterone and SHBG give a more complete picture than a single number.
Testosterone also varies within a single day, typically peaking in the early morning, and it responds to sleep, illness, and training stress. That makes consistent, morning-drawn measurements and trend-tracking more informative than any one reading. If a result comes back below or above the reference range, view it as a flag to review with your doctor, who may repeat the test or look at related markers before drawing conclusions.
Ready to get your numbers? Order online, visit a nearby draw site, and receive private results to review with your doctor.
Order NowFrequently asked questions
What does a testosterone blood test measure?
A testosterone blood test measures the concentration of testosterone in your blood, reported against an age-based reference range. Depending on the test you choose, that can mean total testosterone (all of it, bound and unbound), free testosterone (the small active fraction), or both, often paired with SHBG, the carrier protein that determines how much of your testosterone is actually available to tissues.
What is the difference between total and free testosterone?
Total testosterone counts every molecule in circulation, including the majority bound to SHBG and albumin, while free testosterone counts only the small unbound fraction available to act on tissues. Because SHBG shifts with age, weight, thyroid status, and some medications, total testosterone can look normal while free testosterone runs low, which is why many people test both together.
When is the best time of day to test testosterone?
Morning, testosterone typically peaks in the early morning, so blood draws are commonly scheduled before about 10 a.m. for the most consistent, comparable results. Keeping your draw time similar from test to test also makes trends over months more meaningful than any single reading.
Can I order testosterone testing without a doctor's visit?
Yes, the partner's direct-to-consumer model lets you purchase testing online without a separate doctor's appointment, then complete the blood draw at a local lab location. Results are delivered to you directly, and any out-of-range values are best reviewed with your own physician, who can decide whether repeat testing or related markers are warranted.
Is testosterone testing available in every US state?
No, direct-to-consumer lab testing is restricted or prohibited in New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, so residents of those states may be blocked at the partner's checkout. Availability elsewhere is broad; confirm your state and the nearest draw location on the partner page before ordering.
Is testosterone testing only for men?
No, women produce testosterone too, in smaller amounts, and clinicians sometimes review androgen levels in women as part of evaluating markers associated with conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Reference ranges differ substantially between men and women, so results are always interpreted against sex- and age-specific ranges with your doctor.
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