Welcome to Testosterone HQ—Men's Health's guide to the exciting, complicated, and revolutionary world of testosterone. For everything you need to know about T, click here.
IT'S NORMAL for levels of testosterone to change depending on things like age, time of day, sexual and physical activity, and overall health, but consistently high or low levels may cause some unwanted symptoms that could slow you down in the gym and in bed.
Testosterone levels in adult males naturally decline as you age (about 1 to 2 percent each year), but testosterone deficiency in men has become a larger focus of the health community in recent years. Testing your t levels can provide more info on your sexual function and drive, muscle mass development, mood, energy, and even the production of red blood cells. But lab tests can be costly and a pain to schedule, so at-home test kits could be a great starting point for learning more about your T-levels.
Important: not all at-home test kits are created equal. For starters, they're not as reliable as health providers' lab work—your at-home kit's results could vary based on the quality of sample collection, and how you well collected it (yes, you need to read instructions!). Here's the 101 on what to know about at-home kits that are available.
Free testosterone and total testosterone are two different measures of the testosterone in a person's body that at-home and lab tests can assess:
Total testosterone: Total testosterone is pretty straightforward. It's the amount of testosterone in the blood, including both bound and unbound testosterone.
Free testosterone: Free testosterone is a bit more complicated. It refers to the testosterone in the blood that is not bound to proteins such as sex hormone-binding globulin. It is the fraction of testosterone that is biologically active and available for the body to use.
In general, total testosterone tests are the most common type of test and provide helpful information for healthy guys wondering if their testosterone is low.
Knowing your levels of both total and free T can help tease out issues and information that total testosterone levels alone may not reveal. But many tests only detect total or free, so keep that in mind when choosing which is right for you.
Types of Samples Collected At-Home
Blood tests and saliva tests are both used to measure testosterone levels, but they have some differences we think you should know about:
Accuracy: Blood tests are considered to be more accurate in measuring testosterone levels compared to saliva tests, as they can measure both total and free testosterone levels in the blood (though not all tests report both measures). Saliva tests can only measure free testosterone.
Convenience: Saliva tests are generally easier and more convenient compared to at-home finger prick blood tests. They leave out any need for needles, so, if you can't stand the sight of blood, it might be the best option if you.
Timing: Because testosterone levels fluctuate throughout the day, it's recommended to take samples in the morning before you eat. It's important to a test kit's sample collection instructions for the most accurate result.
Samples analyzed by CLIA-certified independent labs
Accepts FSA/HSA for payment
Results come with a pre-recorded educational video
Cons
Requires needles and bleeding
Not available in New York
Does not test free testosterone
Everlywell has quickly become a well-known and trusted one stop shop for at-home health test kits, and their testosterone test kit is no exception. The test measures total testosterone levels in a blood sample from an easy finger prick.
The kit includes all necessary materials and instructions for collecting and shipping the sample. Analysis is pretty quick, and all results are reviewed and approved by an independent board-certified physician within your state before being uploaded a secure online portal for you to access any time.
Designed for those assigned male or female at birth
Samples analyzed by CAP & CLIA-certified independent labs
Accepts FSA/HAS for payment
No needles or bleeding involved
Cons
Does not test for total testosterone
Not available in New York
Saliva samples are not as consistent as blood samples
Looking for fast results? Try myLAB Box's kit, which offers results in just 2 to 5 days, the quickest of all the tests in this list. And because it's a saliva test, you won't have to deal with finger pricking. Customers love its easy-to-follow sample collection guide, and your results can be accessed on online as soon as they're ready.
Sample type
Saliva
Tests for
Free testosterone
Results in
2-5 days
Best Comprehensive Test
Lets Get Checked Male Hormone Advanced: Home Test Kit
Best Comprehensive Test
Lets Get Checked Male Hormone Advanced: Home Test Kit
Samples analyzed by the same labs that physicians & hospitals use
Consultation with a nurse included in cost
Accepts FSA/HSA for payment
Cons
Restrictive testing time frames
Not available in New York
For guys who want a more comprehensive snapshot of their hormone health, this one is for you. Let's Get Checked's test will analyze your blood sample to determine testosterone levels in addition to other biomarkers that be impacting your overall health. Unlike the other kits we've included (although it may ensure more accurate results) the instructions for this test dictate the sample cannot be taken on Saturdays or Sundays, or within 24 hours of sexual activity or vigorous exercise.
Sample type
Saliva and blood
Tests for
Testosterone, Free Androgen Index (FAI), Prolactin, Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG), Estradiol and Cortisol
No need to download app or create a portal account
Cons
Long turnaround time to results
Less secure delivery of results
Another great option for those looking to avoid needles and blood, and at a lower price than other kits. This test is also suitable for those assigned male or female at birth, making it an accessible option for all. For those concerned about privacy, this option may not be suitable, as Verisana does not utilize a secure portal to share results and will instead email them when they're ready.
Sample type
Saliva
Tests for
Free testosterone
Results in
Up to 3 weeks
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How Do At-Home Test Kits Compare to Lab Tests?
If you're simply curious to know more about your testosterone levels in a quick and affordable way, at-home tests are a great first step to get you the info you're looking for. "If someone is well into the upper end of the normal range, they don't need to worry. If your results come back abnormal, an at-home test is not sufficient alone," according to Sandeep Dhindsa, MD, an endocrinologist on the MH Advisory Panel.
If you're experiencing severe health symptoms or are monitoring a pre-existing diagnosed health condition which may impact your T levels, lab tests conducted at a healthcare provider's office may be a better choice for your long-term health compared to an at-home test.
How We Evaluated
Talene Appleton is a commerce writer specializing in lifestyle, fitness, health, and wellness. For this story, she researched dozens of popular at-home testosterone test kits from reputable brands to identify the most user friendly, research-backed, and top-rated options on the market.
Talene Appleton is the Fitness and Commerce Editor at Men’s Health, where she covers fitness, nutrition, health, and wellness. She was previously the Associate Editor of General Surgery News, and a nutrition writer for The Food Institute. Talene is a retired professional dancer, and loves to spend her free time cooking elaborate meals for her friends and family.
Marty Munson, currently the health director of Men's Health, has been a health editor at properties including Marie Claire, Prevention, Shape and RealAge. She's also certified as a swim and triathlon coach.