Do Testosterone Levels Fluctuate Naturally?
Do testosterone levels fluctuate naturally? Yes, but it’s important to consider several things before chalking up any Low T symptoms you may be experiencing to the rhythms of life.
Normal free testosterone levels for men are 9–30 ng/dl, which represents an important baseline for diagnosing Low T for any man who is experiencing the common symptoms.
However, suggested normal testosterone levels are just that—suggested. This range is a benchmark determined by the medical community based on the average of many, many men tested.
They’re not one size fits all. Also, making a diagnosis and determining whether TRT is appropriate is complicated by the simple fact that any man’s testosterone levels fluctuate in various ways with time.
Do Testosterone Levels Fluctuate Daily?
Yes. Testosterone levels fluctuate each day, peaking around 8 a.m. and diminishing throughout the day as the hormone is utilized to fuel many of your body’s critical systems.
Your levels tend to be their lowest around 8 p.m., then they are replenished overnight as you sleep—one reason that poor sleep contributes to Low T, and proper sleep is critical to hormonal health.
Summing up the research on this topic, an article in the journal Endocrinology says:
One study found young men (30–40 years old) to have average 08.00 testosterone levels (both free and total) that were 30–35% higher than levels measured in the mid- to late afternoon. This difference declined with age, dropping to approximately 10% at 70 years of age.
This daily change in numerical levels of free testosterone, the amount of testosterone available for use by your body, means reliable free testosterone tests should be conducted in the morning so that the amount of usable testosterone produced by your body can be accurately measured.
Do Testosterone Levels Fluctuate Day to Day?
Possibly. Scientists have observed that testosterone levels can fluctuate from day to day (that is, throughout the month) in addition to the normal daily fluctuation. However, the science behind this is new and not nearly as well established as the research behind women’s monthly and yearly hormone fluctuations.
However, predicting how much your levels will rise and fall is next to impossible since every man’s body is different. For some men, levels can fluctuate severely, dropping low enough to result in the symptoms of low testosterone, while those in perhaps better health may not experience fluctuations serious enough to cause any issues.
Do Testosterone Levels Fluctuate With the Seasons?
Some experts think it’s likely. Recent research has collected data suggesting that there could be seasonal variation in testosterone levels as well, though more research is needed.
A study conducted in Seoul, Korea measured serum total testosterone in 8400 police officers in their 40s and 50s during a “urological health screening program.” Each participant was tested each morning around 8:00 AM, the time when level should be at their peak—we mentioned that above.
The study spanned 2 years, allowing the researchers enough data to observe correlations between testosterone levels and the months in which they were measured. A substantial seasonal correlation was in fact found.
The mean total testosterone was lower in spring and summer, and then readings rose higher during fall and winter. More specifically, the lowest mean level observed was in May (440 mg/dL), and the highest was in January (600 ng/dL).
Additionally, the seasonal trend in testosterone levels seemed to be affected by mean outdoor temperature and duration of daylight, with the periods of shorter, cooler days resulting in higher testosterone production.
Read the research findings here.
Testosterone Fluctuation—What Does It Mean for You?
Chronic, clinical low testosterone and normal testosterone fluctuation are very different issues. Testosterone levels do seem to fluctuate with time in the ways pointed out above, but, unless you are right on the cusp of what is considered low testosterone, it is unlikely that the natural testosterone fluctuation will lead to the common symptoms of low testosterone.
If you suffer from clinical low testosterone, your endocrine system, made up of glands and hormones, is coming up short on delivering what your body needs. You might not technically have low free testosterone, but you might still have testosterone levels that are too low for your body, and you could be experiencing negative symptoms as a result.
The most important sign of chronic Low T is the symptoms you’re experiencing, regardless of what your levels are.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) has improved the quality of life of a growing multitude of men worldwide. With a little help from our team of professionals, you can enjoy life again, and you can rest assured that we’ll take good care of you, every step of the way.
