Total T
The combined amount of testosterone circulating in your blood — bound and unbound.
What is it
Total testosterone measures the sum of all forms of testosterone in circulation, including testosterone bound to SHBG, bound to albumin, and free (unbound). It is the most commonly ordered testosterone measurement.
Why it's measured
Total testosterone has been associated with energy, libido, and mood in published research on male and female endocrine health. It is foundational to evaluating androgen status but can be incomplete without free testosterone and SHBG.
Reference range
Standard laboratory reference
Men: 300 – 1,000 / Women: 15 – 70 ng/dL
Reference ranges vary by laboratory. Your individual reference range will appear on your test report and should be interpreted by your physician in the context of your overall health profile.
What results may indicate
Elevated
Has been associated with PCOS in women and warrants clinical evaluation. In men, may reflect supplementation or rarely endogenous production.
Lower
Has been associated with low libido, fatigue, mood changes, and altered body composition in published research.
These associations are general. They are not a personal diagnosis or prediction. Discuss your individual results with your physician in the context of your full health profile.
When it's measured
Often measured in the morning when levels peak. Frequency depends on symptom evaluation, age, and treatment context.
Related markers
Common questions
Total testosterone measures the sum of all forms of testosterone in circulation, including testosterone bound to SHBG, bound to albumin, and free (unbound). It is the most commonly ordered testosterone measurement.
It's one of the markers used to build a fuller picture of your health. On its own it tells you very little, so it's most informative when reviewed alongside related markers.
It's measured from a standard blood draw at Quest or LabCorp. Total Testosterone is one of the markers included in the OPTML Apex Panel, where your results are read across systems and reviewed by a U.S.-licensed physician.
Reference ranges vary by laboratory, and a single value rarely tells the whole story. Review your result with a physician in the context of your other markers, symptoms, and history.
Total Testosterone is one signal among many. Answer a few quick questions and we’ll point you to the panel that fits.
Related symptoms
A symptom is a signal, not a diagnosis. These guides explain what the evidence shows and the blood markers, including this one, that help find the cause.
Measured in
A complete look at your heart, hormones, metabolism, inflammation, and longevity systems — drawn at Quest or LabCorp, reviewed by a U.S.-licensed physician.
Find the right panel →This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Lab results alone are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition and do not replace the advice of a healthcare provider. OPTML does not offer medical advice, a diagnosis, medical treatment, or any form of medical opinion.
OPTML offers compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide, prescribed and overseen by U.S.-licensed physicians. Compounded drug products are not approved or evaluated for safety, effectiveness, or quality by the FDA. OPTML is not associated with, endorsed by, or affiliated with the manufacturers of FDA-approved branded weight-loss medications, and does not sell or supply those branded products. Anyone interested in an FDA-approved branded medication should consult a licensed healthcare provider or pharmacist. Individual results vary; no specific result is promised, and weight management requires ongoing medical guidance.
The whole picture in one sitting: who it suits, what the labs decide, what the first year actually looks like. Every clinical claim is cited.
How to protect lean mass while losing weight on a GLP-1.
Double-check your email. A typo means we cannot reach you or resend your guide.
We will send occasional emails you can unsubscribe from at any time. See our Privacy Policy.