The 5 Best At-Home Testosterone Tests To Take A Closer Look At Your Health

Low levels of testosterone in males can cause a myriad of unpleasant symptoms—and testosterone is equally important for females, too. Even so, testosterone testing is not a standard practice for most health care providers, unless you're showing severe symptoms of low levels. Thankfully, there are now at-home testosterone tests that allow you to check your levels from home.

Like many at-home testing options, testosterone tests are relatively painless and provide results rather quickly. Since these tests are becoming more common, we spoke with experts and compared and contrasted each of the options, to provide you with the best at-home testosterone tests available today.

Keep reading to find our picks and to learn more about why healthy testosterone levels are important in people of all genders.

Testosterone is a steroid hormone produced in the testes in men and the ovaries and adrenal glands in women. While males typically produce significantly more testosterone, females also produce a small but necessary amount.

The pituitary gland, which sits right in the center of your brain, controls the production and regulation of testosterone.

For men, research shows that testosterone regulates the sex drive, sperm production, fat distribution, muscle mass and strength, and bone density1. It also plays a vital role in mood and cognitive function2. In women, testosterone impacts many of the same factors3 but on a much less prominent level.

According to Alice Williams, M.D. and owner of dralicewilliams.com, low levels of testosterone can cause several problems, including low sex drive, infertility, erectile dysfunction, osteoporosis, weight gain, muscle loss, fatigue, and depression.

Treatment with testosterone replacement therapy helps to restore normal levels of the hormone and minimize these symptoms.

Normal levels of testosterone hormone:

Because the normal range for males is so wide, most health care providers take a clinical look at symptoms, as well as lab levels, to determine the appropriate treatment plan.

While there's a lot of talk about low testosterone, it's important to address high testosterone levels, too. Increased blood levels of testosterone can lead to a risk of heart and liver problems, along with an increased risk of prostate cancer for men. In women, high testosterone levels can increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes, PCOS, breast cancer, and endometrial cancer.

At-home testosterone tests use either a finger-prick blood sample or a tube of your saliva. There are two types of testosterone tests: total and free.

We recommend testing total testosterone for a more holistic view of your hormone levels.

Unlike traditional blood draw lab tests, the tests on our list require smaller sample sizes and provide easy-to-follow instructions. Still, there are a few different collection methods you'll see:

As we said, hormone testing is not a standard screening with most health care providers unless you are exhibiting abnormal symptoms. Even then, these tests are often not discussed until other medical diagnoses have been excluded. This is where at-home testing becomes not only convenient but also an essential step in advocacy for your health.

At-home testosterone tests can be used by anyone who wants to check their testosterone levels. Because the list of symptoms of low testosterone is extensive, ruling out a hormone imbalance can be an easy and quick way to determine whether that is the cause of your symptoms.

If you are a male with no symptoms, an at-home test is a great way to determine your baseline testosterone (your body's normal level of testosterone), which may be helpful information in the future.

Testosterone levels naturally decrease with aging. However, medical diagnoses such as obesity, Type 2 diabetes, liver or kidney dysfunction, HIV/AIDS, and sleep apnea can deplete testosterone faster than the normal aging process. In fact, according to the American Urological Association, 30% of overweight men had low testosterone compared to only 6.4% of those with normal weight.

Your levels will decrease during the day, and research shows that testing during the hours of 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.4 will give you the most accurate result. This time is subjective, though, and would be different for someone who works night shifts or wakes up at 4 a.m. Sherpa explains that testing within the first two to three hours of waking up (whatever that time may be for you) is best.

Once you've received your lab results, you should have a better understanding of whether your testosterone levels are normal or above or below average. If your levels come back above or below above average, it doesn't necessarily mean you have a clinical issue. If your home test results come back as normal but you're still experiencing symptoms that suggest something is off, speak with your doctor.

In general, it's important to speak with your doctor before making any adjustments to your lifestyle or medications. There are plenty of over-the-counter testosterone supplements out there, but they're not regulated by the FDA and could have adverse side effects or interact with other medications.

If your lab results show that your testosterone levels are low, there are a few treatment options your healthcare provider may recommend. Their recommendation will depend on the cause of your low testosterone, but more often than not will begin with recommended lifestyle changes such as managing your weight, limiting alcohol, or quitting smoking.

Another possible treatment option is testosterone replacement therapy, a treatment that supplements your body's natural testosterone with synthetic testosterone. Synthetic testosterone can be administered in a few different methods, such as:

Of course, each of these methods comes with its own risks or side effects, so you'll want to work with your healthcare provider to find the right option for you.

The big T is a key hormone in both males and females, and imbalances can lead to a handful of unpleasant symptoms. Beyond low sex drive or changes in mood, testosterone deficiency can lead to more serious issues like cardiovascular disease, bone fractures, and type 2 diabetes.

Using an at-home test can provide you with a view of your testosterone levels and help kick off a larger conversation with your health care provider. As we mentioned above, even if your T levels appear normal, it's important to discuss your symptoms and findings with someone who can help you get to the root of the problem. After all, knowledge is power!

Testosterone levels can fluctuate throughout your life, decreasing as you age. Some men and women may not feel any different as their levels drop, but others may become very aware of their symptoms. The best way to get a quick answer to your testosterone level is to choose from one of these best at-home testosterone tests. There are many ways to boost your testosterone naturally, but it's encouraged to discuss any results, even normal ones, with your health care provider.

To dive further into your health, find out what other tests functional medicine doctors recommend.