Your body then metabolizes your total testosterone into other substances to keep you functioning optimally. As its name suggests, total testosterone is the total amount of testosterone in your bloodstream. "But it’s hard to say where ‘average’ is for your age, since it can depend on so many criteria," says McDevitt. Testosterone levels in men can vary widely, though they generally decline in men after the age of 35 says McDevitt. To determine what’s a good testosterone level for your age, you also need to look at the clinical picture. You can optimize your hormones and feel good, McDevitt says. The average male who reaches 70 years old will have testosterone production that’s 30 percent below his peak (5). A guy in his 20s with healthy genes and no chronic ailments will have a higher testosterone level than a 55-year-old with ongoing medical issues. It’s natural to be concerned about lower testosterone levels. Research suggests that females produce three times more testosterone than estrogen before menopause. Some research also suggests that high levels of prenatal testosterone levels may be linked to autism in children. A variety of hormonal changes occur with PCOS, including low estrogen. This also happens if you have your ovaries removed or damaged before age 40, resulting in early menopause. When something goes wrong with your pituitary gland, less estrogen is made. Your pituitary gland is key to your ovaries making estrogen. This condition can cause your ovaries to slow or stop production of estrogen. Estrogen levels rise and fall throughout your life. "It’s about bringing levels back to where they should be. And when your levels are low? It supports bone density, fat distribution, red blood cell production, and sperm development. Testosterone isn’t just about muscles and sex drive. Thanks to a mix of modern stress, environmental exposures, and plain old aging, more men are hitting their 40s and 50s feeling like shadows of themselves — and many don’t even know why. Too much estrogen can cause your sex drive to drop and your weight to go up, particularly around your waist and hips. What do high levels of estrogen do to a woman? If you are not in menopause, your estrogen levels should range from 30 to 400 picograms per milliliter. You may also have more body and facial hair than the average woman. If your body produces too much testosterone, you may have irregular or absent periods. Your health provider can help you understand your test results. Depending on which lab performs your testosterone test, normal values may vary slightly from these. Marketers urge men to talk to their doctors if they have certain "possible signs" that mean they could need low-T treatment. Very attentive and helpful to my health and needs. PeterMD is the easy button for managing your optimal health.