Testosterone is a male hormone that helps stimulate the male reproductive organs and other important body parts. It affects everything from the development of sex drive to the production of semen. It also affects a man’s overall health.

The levels of testosterone in a man’s blood vary throughout his life. The average level of testosterone in men ranges between 300 to 1,000 nanograms per deciliter. The American Urological Association (AUA) recommends that a man’s testosterone level should be between 270 and 1000 ng/dL, with a value below 300 being considered low. Some experts claim that a value of 350 ng/dL is the optimal value.

If you think your levels are low, talk to your doctor. They can recommend ways to treat the condition and may even suggest hormonal contraception. You should also ask about prostate cancer and the possible benefits of using testosterone therapy.

Low testosterone can affect a man’s muscle mass, sexual drive and mood. However, it’s not always clear what symptoms are associated with lower levels of testosterone. You can take a few tests to figure out what’s going on, and you can use the results to get a better idea of your condition.

In addition to testing for low testosterone, you can ask your doctor about whether or not you should consider testosterone replacement therapy. This treatment can help raise testosterone levels and accelerate prostate growth. You’ll need regular follow-up appointments to make sure your testosterone levels stay high. The downside is that you could also develop heart problems and liver toxicity.

The American Urological Association claims that there are two men in every 100 who have low testosterone. That means that there are probably about a million other men who have similar levels. The AUA has released guidelines for diagnosing and treating Low-T. The main reason the AUA chose to include a testosterone-related chart in their guide is because it provides a nice overview of the various forms of testosterone.

You can determine the normal levels of testosterone with a simple blood test. You’ll need to fast, as the levels usually spike during the morning hours. You should get multiple readings over a period of several weeks. You might want to get one reading before you go to bed, to make sure your morning levels are not high. The nadir of your evening testosterone levels should be around 8 pm. If you are younger than 30 years old, the best time to get a testosterone test is before 10:00 a.m. If you are older than 30, you can get it done until 2:00 p.m.

The American Urological Association’s guideline suggests getting a test a few times. This can be a good idea, as different laboratories will use different measurements. The lab that you choose should have a good reputation for providing high quality care.

There are many factors that play into how a man’s testosterone levels change over the course of his lifetime. For example, some men experience a rise in testosterone as they age. There are also external factors such as infections, tumors, and injury. If your physician suspects a problem, he or she will likely order a blood test.