What Is a Normal Testosterone Level for Men? Here’s What the Research Says
A new study challenges outdated testosterone guidelines and gives more accurate age-based ranges.
A new study challenges outdated testosterone guidelines and gives more accurate age-based ranges.
If you ask most doctors what a "normal" testosterone level is for a man, they’ll usually say somewhere between 300 and 1,000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dl) of blood.
The problem? That’s an absurdly wide range.
Think about it. A guy sitting at 300 ng/dl is technically considered "normal" by clinical standards—so is a guy at 1,000. But these two men are likely to look, feel, and perform completely differently. From strength and body composition to mood, motivation, and libido, testosterone impacts it all.
Which is why lumping all men into this broad reference range does very little to identify who’s actually suffering from low T.
A recent study published in the Journal of Urology took a more age-specific approach.
Researchers analyzed testosterone levels in over 1,400 men between the ages of 20 and 44 and broke them into five age groups to determine more accurate average testosterone ranges.
Here's what they found for the average T levels in men based on age:
Notice how none of these ranges go as low as 300 ng/dl? In fact, most start well above it.
Which begs the question: Why are doctors still using 300 ng/dl as the baseline for testosterone deficiency?
If you're a healthy, active man in your 20s, 30s, or even 40s, having a total testosterone level of 300 ng/dl may not be low enough to get you a clinical diagnosis of low T—but it’s almost certainly low enough to negatively impact how you feel and perform.
Even the researchers in the Journal of Urology study concluded that age-specific reference ranges offer a better tool for assessing testosterone deficiency in younger men.
Still, I'd argue that many men would benefit from levels in the 500-1000 ng/dl range—regardless of age.
If your testosterone levels are under 500 ng/dl and you're not feeling your best, you don’t have to immediately turn to testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).
Natural options exist, and they work.
Research shows several key supplement ingredients can help increase your body’s own testosterone production:
These ingredients are all found in Alpha JYM X —my most advanced natural testosterone support formula to date.
If you’re looking for a non-TRT solution backed by real science and real results, Alpha JYM X is where I recommend you start.
If your T levels are hovering in the low 300s or 400s, don’t settle just because you're technically within the "normal" range.
That range is outdated. Base your decisions on how you feel, how you perform, and what the research actually says.
Doctors often cite a range of 300-1,000 ng/dl as normal, but research suggests a healthier baseline is age-dependent and generally falls between 350-575 ng/dl for men in their 20s to 40s.
While 300 ng/dl is considered clinically normal, most men will experience negative effects at this level. A better minimum benchmark for optimal function is around 500 ng/dl.
Ingredients like fenugreek, ashwagandha, Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia), and shilajit have been shown in studies to safely increase testosterone levels. All are found in Alpha JYM X .
Not necessarily. Start with natural strategies first. If symptoms persist, talk to your doctor about further options.
Traditional ranges aren’t age-specific and often don’t reflect what’s optimal for physical, mental, and sexual performance. Recent research advocates for more tailored benchmarks.
Zhu, A., et al. What is a normal testosterone level for young men? Rethinking the 300 ng/dl cutoff for testosterone deficiency in men 20-44 years old. Journal of Urology 208:1295-1202, 2022.
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