Testosterone is one of those health markers people often think they “should” understand… right up until they start feeling off.
Maybe your energy is down. You’re not recovering from training like you used to. Your mood feels flatter than normal. Libido has changed. Or you’re simply curious about your baseline and want real data, not just guessing.
Here’s the key point: symptoms linked to testosterone are common, but they’re not specific. Stress, sleep debt, nutrition, overtraining, mental health, medications, and many other factors can create the exact same “low T” feeling. That’s why measuring matters. A testosterone blood test gives you an objective snapshot of what’s happening.
Ready to check your levels?
- Order: Testosterone Free/Total + SHBG Blood Test →
- Order: Testosterone Blood Test (Total Testosterone) →
Bloody Quick Summary
| Best all-round testosterone check | Testosterone Free/Total + SHBG Blood Test (includes total, free & bioavailable testosterone + SHBG + Free Androgen Index) |
| Basic option | Testosterone Blood Test (total testosterone) |
| Why test? | Baseline your hormone health, investigate symptoms (fatigue, libido changes, mood, recovery), or monitor changes over time. |
| Do I need a GP visit? | No. You order online and receive a pathology referral by email. |
| Where do I go? | Attend a partner pathology collection centre. Find a collection centre → |
| Results | Delivered to your secure health dashboard so you can view and track over time. |
What is testosterone?
Testosterone is a hormone present in everyone. While it’s often discussed as a “male hormone,” it matters for both men and women. Testosterone supports multiple body systems, including:
- Sexual health (libido and sexual function)
- Body composition (muscle maintenance and fat distribution)
- Bone health (bone density is influenced by sex hormones)
- Mood, motivation, and energy
- Performance and recovery (especially relevant if you train hard)
Testosterone in men
In men, testosterone is produced primarily in the testes. Levels naturally vary day-to-day and tend to be higher in the morning. When testosterone is low (and consistently low), some men notice changes like reduced libido, lower energy, mood changes, reduced strength, and difficulty maintaining muscle.
Testosterone in women
Women produce testosterone too—mostly through the ovaries and adrenal glands, in smaller amounts than men. Testosterone can influence libido, energy, mood, and muscle strength. Importantly, symptoms that look like “low testosterone” in women can overlap heavily with stress, sleep issues, thyroid changes, iron deficiency, and perimenopause/menopause changes.
Bottom line: testosterone isn’t a “vanity marker.” It’s a real health marker. But it’s also one piece of a bigger picture.
Why testing matters
Testing matters because it helps you answer questions like:
- Is testosterone likely contributing to what I’m feeling—or should I look elsewhere first?
- Is my testosterone “normal” but my available testosterone low due to binding proteins?
- Am I trending down over time compared to my own baseline?
- If I’m on hormone therapy, are my levels landing where my clinician intended?
But it’s just as important to be clear on the limits:
- A single test is a snapshot. Testosterone fluctuates with sleep, stress, illness, training load, and time of day.
- “Normal range” doesn’t automatically mean “no problem.” And “low” doesn’t automatically mean “you need treatment.” Results need context (symptoms + history + other markers).
- If a result is unexpectedly low, many clinical resources recommend confirming with repeat morning testing before drawing conclusions.
This is why many people start with a baseline, then repeat later if needed—especially if they’re actively changing training, weight, sleep, or treatment.
What to measure: total vs free testosterone, SHBG, bioavailable & FAI
When most people say “testosterone test,” they usually mean total testosterone. That can be a useful start. But if you want a clearer picture of what your body can actually use, you’ll usually want to include the markers that explain availability.
At Bloody Good, you can choose a basic testosterone check or a more detailed hormone availability check:
- Basic: Testosterone Blood Test (Total Testosterone)
- More detailed: Testosterone Free/Total + SHBG Blood Test (Total + Free + Bioavailable + SHBG + Free Androgen Index)
The 5 biomarkers included in the detailed test
-
Total Testosterone – the total amount of testosterone in your blood. Helpful as a baseline marker.
Learn more: Testosterone biomarker page → -
Free Testosterone – the portion not bound to proteins, considered more immediately available for the body to use. People can have “normal” total testosterone but low free testosterone depending on binding proteins.
Learn more: Free Testosterone biomarker page → -
Bioavailable Testosterone – an estimate of testosterone that is available to tissues (commonly thought of as free + loosely bound forms). This can add useful context, particularly when SHBG is high or low.
Learn more: Bioavailable Testosterone biomarker page → -
Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG) – a protein that binds testosterone (and other sex hormones). Higher SHBG can reduce free testosterone even when total looks fine.
Learn more: SHBG biomarker page → -
Free Androgen Index (FAI) – a ratio derived from total testosterone and SHBG, used as an estimate of androgen availability.
Learn more: FAI biomarker page →
If you’re not sure which test to choose: If your goal is “quick baseline,” start with total testosterone. If your goal is “I want to understand what’s available to my body,” choose the Free/Total + SHBG test.
Who should consider a testosterone blood test?
Testing can make sense for men and women. Here are common scenarios where people choose to measure testosterone:
Men
- Persistent fatigue, reduced motivation, or “flat” mood
- Reduced libido or changes in sexual function
- Difficulty building or maintaining muscle despite training
- Changes in body composition (increase in fat, reduced strength)
- Monitoring hormone therapy (under medical guidance)
Women
- Persistent fatigue and low motivation that doesn’t match lifestyle
- Low libido or sexual wellbeing concerns
- Suspected androgen imbalance (for example, in PCOS workups—your clinician may also look at other androgens)
- Tracking hormonal health during perimenopause/menopause discussions (with a clinician)
Anyone who trains seriously
- Declining recovery, poor sleep, low energy, reduced training output
- Overreaching/overtraining concerns
- Wanting a baseline and trend data over time
If symptoms are severe, sudden, or concerning, speak with a healthcare professional. A blood test is a great tool, but it shouldn’t delay medical care when it’s clearly needed.
How to get tested in Australia with Bloody Good
Bloody Good makes testosterone testing straightforward:
- Order online – choose your test:
- Receive your pathology referral by email – no GP visit required.
-
Attend a collection centre – find one near you here:
Find a collection centre → - Get results in your secure dashboard – view your results and track changes over time.
Trust & accuracy: Bloody Good partners with NATA-accredited laboratories and works with established lab providers to ensure reliable testing.
How to prepare for your test
To get the most meaningful testosterone result, standardise the conditions as much as possible.
- Test in the morning (ideally 7–10am) because testosterone levels typically peak earlier in the day.
- No fasting is required for Bloody Good’s testosterone tests (unless your clinician has asked otherwise).
- Avoid intense exercise for 24 hours before collection (hard training can temporarily affect hormone readings).
- Tell your healthcare provider about medications and supplements. If you’re taking high-dose biotin, follow the instructions you receive (some hormone tests can be affected by biotin interference).
Tip: If you’re tracking changes over time, try to test at a similar time of day and under similar conditions each time (sleep, training load, illness). Consistency improves the usefulness of trends.
How to understand your results
When you receive your results, you’ll see a reference range provided by the laboratory. Two important things to know:
- Reference ranges vary between labs, testing methods, and the population used to define “normal.”
- Age and sex matter. Testosterone ranges and clinical interpretation differ between men and women, and they change across the lifespan.
On top of lab reference ranges, you’ll often see people discuss “optimal” ranges. In practice, “optimal” depends on:
- Your age and sex
- Your symptoms (or lack of symptoms)
- Your training goals and recovery
- Whether you’re monitoring a treatment plan
- Your baseline trend over time (your personal “normal”)
General testosterone ranges
The ranges below are taken from the educational “Understanding Your Results” sections in our biomarker directory. Your report may use different reference ranges depending on your lab method, age, and sex.
| Biomarker | Units | Low | Optimal | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Testosterone | nmol/L | < 9 | 9 – 31.8 | > 31.8 |
| Free Testosterone | pmol/L | < 170 | 170 – 630 | > 630 |
| SHBG | nmol/L | < 14 | 14 – 95 | > 95 |
| Free Androgen Index (FAI) | % | < 14.5 | 14.5 – 80.3 | > 80.3 |
What your results may mean
This section is educational—not a diagnosis. Always interpret testosterone results with symptoms, history, and (when needed) a clinician.
If your testosterone is low
- Consider repeating the test (especially if the sample wasn’t taken in the morning or you were unwell).
- Look at SHBG and free testosterone. Sometimes the “problem” is availability rather than total production.
- Discuss with a healthcare professional if symptoms persist. They may consider related testing depending on the situation (for example: other hormones, thyroid markers, iron status, inflammation, metabolic markers).
If your total testosterone is “normal”, but you still feel off
- This is where free testosterone, bioavailable testosterone, and SHBG can be helpful.
- Also consider other common causes of low energy and poor recovery: sleep quality, iron deficiency, thyroid dysfunction, inadequate calories/protein, chronic stress, or training load.
If testosterone is high
- High results can occur for multiple reasons (including supplement/hormone use and some medical conditions).
- If results are unexpectedly high, don’t self-manage—follow up with a healthcare professional for context and next steps.
Need a bigger picture, not just one marker? These are popular next steps depending on your goal:
- Men’s Baseline Health Check →
- Women’s Baseline Health Check →
- The Performance Check →
- The Bloody Good Test (100 core biomarkers) →
How do you support healthy testosterone?
If you’re trying to improve testosterone (or improve how you feel), the fundamentals matter more than most people want to admit.
If your levels are low
- Prioritise sleep (consistent, high-quality sleep is strongly linked with healthier hormone regulation).
- Strength training is generally supportive for muscle and metabolic health.
- Ensure adequate energy intake if you train a lot (chronic under-fuelling can impact multiple hormones).
- Protein and healthy fats support body composition and overall health.
- Manage stress (chronic stress can affect multiple hormone systems).
If your levels are high (or unexpectedly high)
- Review supplements and medications (especially any hormone-related products).
- Follow up medically if levels are significantly above range or symptoms suggest an underlying issue.
If you want personalised guidance, talk with a qualified clinician who can interpret your results in context. (Testing provides the data. Expert interpretation turns it into a plan.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I order a testosterone blood test without a doctor’s referral?
Yes. With Bloody Good, you order online and receive a pathology referral by email—so you don’t need to book a GP visit just to access a basic hormone check.
Do I need to fast for a testosterone blood test?
No fasting is required for Bloody Good’s testosterone tests. If any test you order does require fasting, you’ll receive clear instructions after ordering.
What time of day should I test?
Morning testing (typically 7–10am) is preferred because testosterone levels are generally higher earlier in the day. If you’re tracking over time, aim for consistency in test timing.
Should women test testosterone too?
Yes—women have testosterone too, and it can be relevant for libido, energy, mood, and androgen-balance discussions (such as PCOS workups). Interpretation is different in women, so results should be reviewed in context.
How often should I retest?
It depends on your goal. Many people start with a baseline and retest annually. If you’re investigating symptoms or monitoring treatment changes, retesting every 3–6 months is common (based on clinical context).
What if my results are abnormal?
An out-of-range result isn’t automatically a diagnosis. Testosterone can fluctuate, and interpretation depends on symptoms, repeat testing, and other markers. If your result is concerning or doesn’t match how you feel, follow up with a healthcare professional.
References
- Andrology Australia (2015). Androgen deficiency: Factsheet for men. View PDF
- Pathology Tests Explained (Australia). Testosterone. Read more
- International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH). Clinical Practice Guideline for the Use of Systemic Testosterone for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder in Women. Read more
- Bloody Good Biomarker Directory: Testosterone, Free Testosterone, Bioavailable Testosterone, SHBG, FAI
Medical Advice Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making health-related decisions, starting supplements, or changing medical treatment.