Hormone panel
Total testosterone
Measured in ng/dL
What it measures
The total amount of testosterone circulating in the blood, both bound to carrier proteins and unbound.
Why it is tracked
The primary marker used to establish whether testosterone is low. Because levels follow a daily rhythm and vary between draws, diagnosis generally rests on more than one morning measurement rather than a single result.
What a provider considers
- Highest in the morning, which is why draw timing is specified
- Bound largely to SHBG and albumin, so total can mislead when SHBG is abnormal
- Affected by acute illness, sleep deprivation and significant weight change
Reference ranges vary between laboratories and a single result rarely means much on its own. Interpretation depends on your symptoms, your other markers and the trend over time — which is what your provider reviews.