Ajax Harwood Clinic
Testosterone testing: should I be tested?
Low testosterone (male hypogonadism)
Low testosterone in men can cause low sex drive, erection problems, fewer morning erections, and loss of muscle. Tiredness alone is not usually from low testosterone. If you have several of these symptoms, the first step is a blood test in the morning, between 7 and 11, before eating. It needs to be repeated before a diagnosis is made, because levels change from day to day. An afternoon test is not reliable. If your level is truly low, more blood tests help find out why. This matters for treatment and for fertility. Testosterone treatment is not recommended without a confirmed low level. It does not reliably help energy or mood, and it has real risks.
Tests you may hear about
Low sex drive or 'low testosterone' in women
Low sex drive is common, especially around menopause. It can be upsetting. Many women wonder if low testosterone is the cause. A blood or saliva test cannot tell you. These tests are not accurate at the low levels women normally have. Experts say a level should not be used to decide this. Instead, your doctor will ask about your desire, your mood, your relationship, your medicines, and any pain or dryness. If low desire still bothers you after that, it has a name and it can be treated. One option after menopause is a low dose of testosterone. Testosterone has not been shown to help energy, mood or weight in women.
Tests you may hear about
Worth asking
Questions you could bring to your doctor:
- Do my symptoms, like low sex drive or erection changes, mean a testosterone test would help?
- Why does my testosterone test need to be done in the morning and repeated?
- As a woman, can a blood or saliva testosterone test explain my low desire?
- If not low testosterone, what else could explain my energy or mood?
- What changes would mean I should be reassessed?
Next steps
Curious what your doctor is weighing up? The clinical page we use for this is open to anyone — it is detailed and written for clinicians, and you are welcome to read it.
Open the clinician reference →Did a naturopath recommend specific tests? Look each one up — what it measures and whether it is usually needed.
Look up a lab test →Want more? Explore the full AHC health library.
Go to ask.ajaxharwoodclinic.com →This is health information and screening — not a diagnosis. Please discuss results with your doctor. In an emergency call 911.