On-the-spot blood testosterone testing in pharmacies.
Expand your pharmacy services with testosterone testing.
The Igloo Reader Pro delivers rapid, reliable results that evaluate testosterone levels right at the point of care.
Key takeaways
- Testosterone is important for overall health: It plays a key role in energy, mood, muscle and bone health, and sexual function for both men and women.
- Accurate measurement matters: Levels can fluctuate by time of day, age, menstrual cycle (in women), and lifestyle factors like sleep, stress, and diet.
- Point-of-care testing supports proactive health: Quick, convenient testing in a pharmacy helps both men and women understand their hormone status, monitor trends, and have informed discussions with healthcare professionals.
Learn more about our testosterone tests >
What is testosterone?
Testosterone is a key hormone for both men and women. In men, it is produced primarily in the testicles, while in women it is produced in the ovaries and adrenal glands. Testosterone influences energy, mood, muscle and bone health, and sexual function in both sexes. While levels are much higher in men, women’s testosterone is also important for overall health, and imbalances can impact vitality, mood, and reproductive function. Because some point-of-care tests have a detection limit above typical female levels, certain tests are currently intended for male customers, although understanding female levels remains clinically important.
Accurate measurement of testosterone allows individuals to identify potential hormonal imbalances that may contribute to fatigue, low libido, changes in mood, or altered body composition. Monitoring testosterone over time helps guide discussions with healthcare professionals and supports proactive health management.
How is testosterone measured?
Sample: Blood.
Analyte: Total testosterone (includes free and bound).
Units: ng/dL or ng/mL.
Interpretation: Always follow the instructions for use (IFU) provided with your point-of-care device and test kit. Remember that results can vary depending on time of day, age, sex, and other individual factors.
The most reliable measurement is total testosterone, which includes both free and bound hormone. Devices like the Igloo Reader Pro provide rapid, point-of-care results suitable for men, helping customers receive timely information to discuss with a healthcare professional.
Best practices for testosterone testing
- Timing: Testosterone is naturally highest in the morning (7–10 a.m.), so testing during this window provides the most reliable measurement.
- Fasting and preparation: Customers should fast for at least 8 hours before the test (water only) and avoid alcohol or caffeine the night before and morning of the test. This helps reduce temporary effects on hormone levels.
- Daily and lifestyle factors: Sleep, stress, and illness can temporarily lower testosterone. For example, less than 5 hours of sleep per night for a week can reduce serum testosterone levels by 10–15%, and chronic stress may inhibit production.
- Age and development (young males): Testosterone gradually rises during puberty and varies by age and developmental stage. This is why the results in adolescents need careful interpretation.
- Sex and hormonal cycle (females): Testosterone levels in women are lower than in men and may vary slightly across the menstrual cycle. Some tests may not detect female levels reliably.
- Biological and lab variability: Individual factors like body weight, genetics, and binding proteins, as well as differences between lab methods, can affect results. Variation between tests doesn’t always indicate a real change in hormone levels.
- Regular monitoring: Routine checks are recommended to track trends over time and support overall health.
What are normal testosterone values?
- Men (adult males): 3.0 – 10.0 ng/mL
- Women (adult females): 0.08 – 0.80 ng/mL depending on the menstrual cycle phase
Important:
- Testosterone naturally fluctuates throughout the day; in men, levels are highest in the morning.
- In women, variations naturally occur across the menstrual cycle.
- These ranges are general guidelines; interpretation should consider age, sex, symptoms, and consultation with a healthcare professional.
What are low and high testosterone values?
Men (adult males)
- Low: < 3.0 ng/mL
- High: > 10.0 ng/mL
Women (adult females), depending on the menstrual cycle phase
- Low: < 0.08 ng/mL
- High: > 0.80 ng/mL
It is important to note that many laboratories have slightly different guidelines and reference intervals for testosterone, which should be considered alongside the clinical context. Normal ranges may vary depending on age, sex, and other individual factors.
In cases of abnormal testosterone levels, pharmacies can encourage customers to discuss results and potential treatment options with a healthcare professional for personalized evaluation and management.
Testosterone testing with Igloo Reader Pro
Testosterone can be quickly measured from a small blood sample using Igloo Reader Pro within pharmacies or other point-of-care settings.
Benefits of testosterone testing with the Igloo Reader Pro in pharmacies:
- Provide rapid, accurate testosterone testing at the point-of-care.
- Broaden preventive health services available in-store.
- Easily integrate testing into daily pharmacy workflows.
- Create new opportunities for service-based revenue and follow-up care.
Why pharmacies should offer testosterone testing?
Point-of-care testosterone testing in pharmacies provides accessible, evidence-based insights for customers. Customers benefit from:
Timely information on hormone status.
Ability to monitor trends over time.
Convenient access without waiting for laboratory appointments.
Pharmacies offering reliable testing help bridge the gap between screening and clinical evaluation, promoting proactive health engagement.
Learn more about testosterone testing >
Literature
- Shalender B et al., Testosterone Therapy in Men With Hypogonadism: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Volume 103, Issue 5, May 2018, Pages 1715–1744, doi: 10.1210/jc.2018-00229
- Mulhall JP et al. Evaluation and Management of Testosterone Deficiency: AUA Guideline. Journal of Urology. 2018 Aug 1;200(2):423–32. doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2018.03.115
- Leproult R, Van Cauter E. Effect of 1 week of sleep restriction on testosterone levels in young healthy men. JAMA. 2011 Jun 1;305(21):2173-4. doi: 10.1001/jama.2011.710.
- Cleveland Clinic - Health Essentials - Why Are Testosterone Levels Decreasing?
- Cleveland Clinic - Testosterone
- NIH - StatPearls - Testosterone
Disclaimer
This information is educational and does not qualify for a medical advice. Always use local reference ranges and consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Here are some common questions about diagnostics for pharmacists.
Testosterone testing measures the total amount of testosterone in the blood. This hormone is important for energy, mood, muscle and bone health, sexual function, and overall metabolic balance in both men and women. Testing helps identify potential hormonal imbalances, monitor trends over time, and supports informed discussions with a healthcare professional.
Testosterone testing may be considered for male adults experiencing symptoms such as fatigue, low libido, mood changes, or reduced muscle mass. It can also be useful for monitoring hormone therapy or lifestyle interventions. Testing should always be interpreted alongside clinical context and under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
The Igloo Reader Pro enables rapid testosterone testing using a small capillary blood sample, with results available in minutes. It is designed for easy integration into pharmacy or dental clinic workflows, helping to deliver timely, accurate information to their customers.
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