Testosterone Test for Women: Symptoms, Ranges & Testing

When testosterone rises too high or drops too low, you experience symptoms. A female hormone test can show whether your testosterone level causes those symptoms.

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What You'll Learn:

What testosterone does in women's bodies
Symptoms of high and low testosterone
Free vs. total testosterone testing
Normal testosterone ranges for women

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What Testosterone Does in Women

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Testosterone is produced by your ovaries and adrenal glands. Women need testosterone for libido, bone strength, muscle mass, and energy.

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Too much testosterone disrupts your menstrual cycle. It interferes with ovulation and causes PCOS symptoms. Too little testosterone causes fatigue and low sex drive.

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Symptoms of Low and High Testosterone in Women
Low Testosterone	High Testosterone
Persistent fatigue, even with adequate sleep	Excess facial or body hair on the face, chest, back, or abdomen in a male-pattern distribution
Low libido or reduced interest in sexual activity	Stubborn acne that extends beyond the face, including the chest and upper back
Difficulty building or maintaining muscle mass despite strength training	Scalp hair thinning that mirrors male-pattern hair loss rather than general shedding
Mood changes such as feeling depressed, anxious, or unmotivated	Missed or irregular periods caused by disrupted or absent ovulation
Bone density loss over time, increasing fracture risk	Voice deepening
More common after menopause than during reproductive years	Weight gain concentrated around the waist and abdomen
—	Often associated with PCOS; around 70% of women with PCOS have elevated testosterone or other androgens

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Free vs. Total Testosterone

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Two types of testosterone tests exist: total and free.

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Total testosterone measures all testosterone in your blood. Most testosterone binds to proteins like SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin) and albumin. Bound testosterone can't be used by your body.

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Free testosterone measures testosterone not bound to proteins. This is the "active" form. Free testosterone makes up about 2-3% of total testosterone.

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For women with high testosterone symptoms, total testosterone usually provides enough information. If total testosterone is borderline normal but symptoms persist, free testosterone and SHBG testing reveal whether enough active testosterone is available.

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Birth control pills raise SHBG levels. This binds more testosterone and can lower free testosterone even when total testosterone appears normal.

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Testosterone Normal Ranges for Women

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Normal testosterone levels for women are much lower than for men.

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Total testosterone for women: 15-70 ng/dL
Levels above 70 ng/dL suggest high testosterone. Levels above 200 ng/dL require evaluation for testosterone-producing tumors.

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Free testosterone for women: 0.7-3.6 pg/mL
Levels above 3.6 pg/mL indicate elevated free testosterone.

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Labs use different reference ranges. Always compare your results to your specific lab's ranges. Age also affects normal testosterone. Levels decline gradually after age 30.

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When to Test Testosterone

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Test testosterone in the morning between 7-10 AM. Testosterone is highest in the morning and drops throughout the day.

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You can test on any day of your cycle. Unlike estrogen and progesterone, testosterone doesn't fluctuate dramatically throughout the menstrual cycle.

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If you're on hormonal birth control, testosterone testing is still meaningful. Birth control doesn't suppress testosterone production the way it suppresses estrogen and progesterone.

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For complete timing guidance, see our guide to female hormone testing.

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What High Testosterone Means	What Low Testosterone Means
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) High testosterone in women most commonly points to PCOS. About 70% of women with PCOS have elevated testosterone or other androgens.	Aging and menopause Testosterone production naturally declines after age 30 and drops further during and after menopause.
Insulin resistance High insulin levels stimulate the ovaries to produce more testosterone. This disrupts ovulation and creates a cycle that worsens both insulin resistance and androgen excess.	Ovarian insufficiency Conditions like primary ovarian insufficiency or early menopause reduce ovarian testosterone production.
Adrenal disorders Conditions such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia can lead to excess androgen production from the adrenal glands.	Adrenal insufficiency Disorders like Addison’s disease or other adrenal dysfunction can lower testosterone levels.
Ovarian tumors (rare) Testosterone-producing ovarian tumors can cause very high levels, often above 200 ng/dL.	Medications Birth control pills, corticosteroids, and some other medications can reduce testosterone or increase SHBG, lowering available testosterone.
Medications Certain medications, including some anti-seizure drugs, can raise testosterone levels.	Chronic stress Persistently high cortisol from chronic stress can suppress testosterone production.
Obesity Excess body fat increases androgen production and worsens insulin resistance, contributing to higher testosterone levels.	Hormonal transition Low testosterone often occurs alongside low estrogen during perimenopause or menopause.

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How At-Home Testosterone Testing Works

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At-home testing measures testosterone using the same lab analysis as traditional blood draws.

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Choose Health's complete female hormone test measure total testosterone. You collect a finger-prick blood sample in the morning. Mail the sample to a CLIA-certified lab. Results arrive in 3-5 days.

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Your dashboard explains what your testosterone level means for your age. You track testosterone over time to see patterns.

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Testing at home lets you test in the morning without appointments.

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What to Do After Testing

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Results need interpretation with your symptoms.

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If testosterone is high and you have PCOS symptoms, discuss treatment with your healthcare provider. Lifestyle changes help. Weight loss improves insulin sensitivity and often lowers testosterone. Some women need medications like metformin or birth control pills.

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If testosterone is low and you have symptoms, your provider may recommend testosterone therapy. The FDA hasn't approved testosterone therapy for women, but some providers prescribe it off-label for low libido and fatigue.

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If you're trying to conceive and have high testosterone, your provider can discuss fertility treatments that help restore ovulation.

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Track testosterone over time. Single tests provide snapshots. Patterns show whether lifestyle changes or treatments work. Testing at a 3 month cadenceallows you to get true insights into how testosterone in your body is occuring.

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