Testosterone
Testosterone is a sex hormone that plays a part in muscle mass, sex drive, energy and mood, in both men and women.
Testosterone is a sex hormone that plays a part in muscle mass, sex drive, energy and mood, in both men and women. Men make most of it in the testes, women in smaller amounts in the ovaries and adrenal glands. The test measures total testosterone, both the part bound to proteins and the free part. Retesting shows how it changes over time.
Testosterone is highest in the morning and falls slowly with age. Short sleep, stress, extra weight around the waist, a lot of alcohol and long periods of very low calorie intake tend to lower it. Strength training can raise it a little, while very hard endurance training without enough food and rest can lower it. Anabolic steroids and some medicines also affect the level.
Foods that help
Enough protein, healthy fats from fish, nuts, seeds and olive oil, eggs, and zinc-rich foods such as shellfish, meat and legumes. Regular strength training and good sleep.
Foods to limit
Large amounts of alcohol, sugar and highly processed food. Long periods of very low calorie intake.
Track it through the year
One value is a snapshot. Following it up shows whether what you changed is working.
Related markers
Educational information only — not a diagnosis. Every result is checked against safe limits, and anything critical is escalated for follow-up.
See all 84 markers →