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Testosterone Blood Test: A Key Marker for Strength, Vitality, and Hormonal Balance

The Testosterone Blood Test, included in the PlexusDx Women’s Health & Wellness Blood Test, measures total testosterone in the bloodstream. This includes both free testosterone (the active form) and protein-bound testosterone, which is carried by sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and albumin. Although testosterone is often thought of as a “male hormone,” it is essential for women as well. Optimal testosterone levels support bone health, muscle tone, metabolism, sexual function, mood, and overall vitality. Understanding testosterone balance is an important part of maintaining health and well-being across all stages of life.

What is Testosterone?

Testosterone is a steroid hormone primarily produced in the testes in men and the ovaries in women, with smaller amounts secreted by the adrenal glands. While men naturally have higher levels, testosterone remains a critical hormone for women. It plays roles in energy, libido, muscle strength, and brain health. Because only 2–3% of total testosterone circulates as free, biologically active hormone, measuring total testosterone provides a comprehensive view of the body’s hormone availability.

The Role of Testosterone in the Body

Testosterone affects a wide range of body systems and functions, making it crucial for overall health. Key roles include:

  • Bone Density: Helps maintain strong bones and reduces the risk of osteoporosis.
  • Muscle Growth and Strength: Supports lean muscle mass and physical performance.
  • Red Blood Cell Production: Stimulates bone marrow to produce red blood cells, supporting oxygen transport and endurance.
  • Sexual Health: Plays a major role in libido, arousal, and sexual function in both men and women.
  • Mood and Cognition: Contributes to mental clarity, confidence, motivation, and emotional well-being.
  • Metabolic Health: Helps regulate fat distribution, insulin sensitivity, and overall metabolic balance.

Why Measure Testosterone Levels?

Measuring testosterone provides insights into energy, metabolism, reproductive health, and aging. Doctors and wellness practitioners recommend testing for many reasons:

  • Hormonal Imbalance: Identifies low or high testosterone that may contribute to fatigue, weight gain, or mood changes.
  • Reproductive Health: Assesses libido, sexual function, and fertility concerns.
  • Aging and Vitality: Levels peak in early adulthood and naturally decline after age 30, making monitoring important for healthy aging.
  • Bone and Muscle Health: Detects imbalances that could affect bone density or contribute to muscle loss.
  • Adrenal and Ovarian Function in Women: Helps evaluate conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is linked to elevated testosterone.

Specimen Collection Method

The PlexusDx Women’s Health & Wellness Blood Test uses an at-home dried blood spot (DBS) collection with an ADX card. This easy method requires only a finger prick, making sample collection convenient, quick, and non-invasive. Once mailed to the lab, your sample is analyzed for accurate testosterone measurement, without needing to visit a clinic.

Reference Ranges for Testosterone

Testosterone levels vary significantly by sex, age, and health status. Below are common laboratory ranges:

Standard Laboratory Ranges

  • Women: 15 – 70 ng/dL
  • Men: 300 – 1,000 ng/dL

Functional and Optimal Ranges

In functional medicine, narrower ranges are often considered optimal for well-being:

  • Women (optimal): 25 – 50 ng/dL
  • Men (optimal): 500 – 800 ng/dL

Maintaining testosterone in the optimal range supports strong energy, balanced mood, healthy libido, and long-term vitality.

Low Testosterone (Hypogonadism)

Low testosterone levels can occur with aging, stress, or certain medical conditions. In women, low levels are less commonly diagnosed but can still impact quality of life. Symptoms may include:

  • Low energy or persistent fatigue
  • Reduced libido or sexual dysfunction
  • Loss of muscle mass and strength
  • Weight gain or increased abdominal fat
  • Depression, low mood, or brain fog
  • Brittle bones or osteoporosis

High Testosterone

Excess testosterone is less common but may occur due to conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women or anabolic steroid use in men. Symptoms may include:

  • Acne or oily skin
  • Excess hair growth (hirsutism) in women
  • Irregular or absent menstrual cycles
  • Male-pattern hair thinning in women
  • Mood swings, irritability, or aggression

Factors That Influence Testosterone Levels

Testosterone production and availability are influenced by many factors:

  • Age: Natural decline begins after age 30 in both men and women.
  • Stress: Chronic stress elevates cortisol, which can lower testosterone.
  • Sleep: Poor or insufficient sleep reduces testosterone production.
  • Nutrition: Zinc, vitamin D, and healthy fats are essential for testosterone synthesis.
  • Medications: Birth control pills, steroids, and certain therapies can alter levels.
  • Exercise: Resistance training supports healthy testosterone, while overtraining may reduce it.

How to Support Healthy Testosterone Levels

Whether testosterone is too low or too high, there are steps to restore balance:

  • Balanced Nutrition: Include foods rich in protein, healthy fats, zinc, and vitamin D.
  • Strength Training: Regular resistance exercise naturally boosts testosterone.
  • Stress Management: Reducing stress helps lower cortisol and supports hormone balance.
  • Quality Sleep: 7–9 hours of restful sleep is critical for testosterone production.
  • Medical Care: Hormone therapy or treatment may be necessary if levels are significantly abnormal.

Testosterone and Whole-Body Health

Testosterone is more than a reproductive hormone—it impacts energy, brain function, cardiovascular health, and metabolism. Imbalances can cause symptoms that affect daily life, from fatigue and mood changes to bone loss and decreased resilience. Monitoring testosterone offers a window into not only reproductive health but also overall vitality and longevity.

Why Choose PlexusDx?

The PlexusDx Women’s Health & Wellness Blood Test provides an accurate, at-home way to measure testosterone and other critical hormones. Using dried blood spot collection, this test delivers comprehensive insights without the inconvenience of a clinic visit. The results empower women to make informed decisions about hormone balance, energy, and long-term health.

Key Takeaways

  • Total testosterone includes both free and protein-bound hormone; only 2–3% is free and biologically active.
  • Produced in the ovaries, testes, and adrenal glands, testosterone supports bone density, muscle strength, libido, cognition, and mood.
  • Levels peak in early adulthood and naturally decline after age 30, affecting energy and vitality.
  • Low testosterone contributes to fatigue, low libido, and bone loss, while high levels may indicate PCOS or other imbalances.
  • The PlexusDx at-home dried blood spot test makes it simple to measure testosterone as part of a complete women’s health panel.

By including the Testosterone Blood Test in the PlexusDx Women’s Health & Wellness panel, women gain powerful insights into hormone health, energy, and vitality. This knowledge allows for proactive steps toward better balance, improved well-being, and healthy aging—all from the comfort of home.