Short answer: For adult women, a typical total testosterone range is about 8 to 60 ng/dL (0.3 to 2.1 nmol/L), according to Mayo Clinic Laboratories, which measures it with mass spectrometry.[1] Free testosterone, the active part, is normally below about 1 ng/dL (10 pg/mL) and drifts slightly lower with age.[1] Ranges differ between labs and test methods, so always compare your result with the range printed on your own report. A normal result does not rule out hirsutism, and a very high result, especially with fast-changing symptoms, needs prompt follow-up.[2], [3]
Testosterone is often called a male hormone, but women make it too, mainly in the ovaries and adrenal glands, in much smaller amounts than men.[1] If you have unwanted hair, acne or irregular periods, it is usually one of the first blood tests a doctor orders.[2] The most common reason for a high result is PMOS (formerly PCOS), the condition renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome in May 2026.[4], [15] This guide explains what is normal at each age, how to convert units, why the test method matters and what “slightly high” and “very high” mean.
If you are still deciding whether your hair growth counts as hirsutism, start with our hirsutism self-check.
What is a normal testosterone level for a woman by age?
Mayo Clinic Laboratories, a large US reference lab, lists 8 to 60 ng/dL as normal total testosterone for women aged 19 and older. It uses liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), the most accurate method.[1] We added the nmol/L and pg/mL columns using Mayo’s conversion factors.[6]
| Age (female) | Total testosterone (ng/dL) | Total testosterone (nmol/L) | Free testosterone (ng/dL) | Free testosterone (pg/mL) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 months to 9 years | under 7 to 20 | under 0.24 to 0.69 | under 0.13 to about 0.46 (rises with age) | under 1.3 to about 4.6 |
| 10 to 11 years | under 7 to 44 | under 0.24 to 1.53 | under 0.13 to 0.72 | under 1.3 to 7.2 |
| 12 to 16 years | under 7 to 75 | under 0.24 to 2.60 | under 0.13 to 1.09 | under 1.3 to 10.9 |
| 17 to 18 years | 20 to 75 | 0.69 to 2.60 | under 0.13 to 1.09 | under 1.3 to 10.9 |
| 20 to 29 years | 8 to 60 | 0.28 to 2.08 | under 0.13 to 1.06-1.08 | under 1.3 to 10.6-10.8 |
| 30 to 39 years | 8 to 60 | 0.28 to 2.08 | under 0.13 to 1.00-1.03 | under 1.3 to 10.0-10.3 |
| 40 to 49 years | 8 to 60 | 0.28 to 2.08 | under 0.13 to 0.95-0.98 | under 1.3 to 9.5-9.8 |
| 50 to 59 years | 8 to 60 | 0.28 to 2.08 | under 0.13 to 0.90-0.92 | under 1.3 to 9.0-9.2 |
| 60 to 69 years | 8 to 60 | 0.28 to 2.08 | under 0.13 to 0.84-0.87 | under 1.3 to 8.4-8.7 |
| 70 years and older | 8 to 60 | 0.28 to 2.08 | under 0.13 to 0.82 or lower | under 1.3 to 8.2 or lower |
Source: Mayo Clinic Laboratories test TGRP.[1] Mayo lists free testosterone in five-year bands, which we grouped by decade.
Other references publish different numbers. MedlinePlus notes that ranges vary between labs, and a 2023 review in Clinical Chemistry stresses that a reference range only applies to the test method it was made with.[5], [8]
| Reference | Group | Normal total testosterone |
|---|---|---|
| Mayo Clinic Laboratories (LC-MS/MS)[1] | Women 19 and older | 8 to 60 ng/dL (0.28 to 2.08 nmol/L) |
| MedlinePlus[5] | Women 17 to 50 | 8.4 to 48.1 ng/dL (0.3 to 1.7 nmol/L) |
| MedlinePlus[5] | Women over 50 | 2.9 to 40.1 ng/dL (0.1 to 1.4 nmol/L) |
| Heijboer and Hannema, 2023 review (LC-MS/MS)[8] | Adult women | 8.7 to 46 ng/dL (0.3 to 1.6 nmol/L) |
| Skiba et al., 2019 (LC-MS/MS), 588 Australian women aged 18 to 39 with regular cycles[7] | Middle value (median) | 0.34 nmol/L (about 10 ng/dL) |
Does testosterone drop with age in women?
Yes, gradually. In a 2019 study of 588 Australian women aged 18 to 39 with regular cycles and no PCOS, measured by LC-MS/MS, median total testosterone fell from 0.40 nmol/L (about 12 ng/dL) at ages 18 to 24 to 0.30 nmol/L (about 9 ng/dL) at ages 35 to 39, a drop of about 25%.[7] Mayo’s free testosterone limits also fall slowly with age.[1] After menopause, estrogen falls more than androgens do, which can shift the balance toward androgens.[14] Read more in hirsutism and menopause.
How do you convert testosterone from ng/dL to nmol/L?
Multiply ng/dL by 0.0347 to get nmol/L, or multiply nmol/L by about 28.8 to get ng/dL. These are the factors Mayo Clinic Laboratories uses for total testosterone.[6] Free testosterone is often reported in pg/mL, and 1 ng/dL equals 10 pg/mL.
| ng/dL | nmol/L | What it can mean in a woman (depends on lab and context) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 0.35 | Typical young adult level[7] |
| 20 | 0.69 | Within normal ranges[1], [5] |
| 48 | 1.67 | Upper limit at MedlinePlus (ages 17 to 50)[5] |
| 60 | 2.08 | Upper limit at Mayo Clinic Laboratories[1] |
| 100 | 3.47 | Raised. Most often PMOS, but a cause needs to be found[1], [3] |
| 147 | 5.1 | Threshold used in one study to flag possible tumors[12] |
| 200 | 6.94 | Mayo notes tumors often exceed this level[1] |
Why does the testing method matter so much for women?
Testosterone levels in women are low, and many common lab tests are not accurate at such low levels. The 2023 International PCOS guideline says labs “should use LC-MS/MS assays over direct immunoassays”, because direct immunoassays have limited accuracy in women.[3] An immunoassay is a fast automated test that uses antibodies to detect a hormone. The Endocrine Society’s 2018 hirsutism guideline likewise recommends “an accurate and specific assay, such as mass spectrometry”.[2]
Antibody-based tests can mistake similar steroid hormones for testosterone. A 2023 review notes that DHEA sulfate, an adrenal hormone, can falsely raise results, and that automated immunoassays vary a lot at the low levels found in women.[8] The Endocrine Society called for testosterone tests to be standardized, with proper normal ranges for women, as far back as 2007.[9] A 2025 meta-analysis of 23 studies found that LC-MS/MS gave more accurate results than direct immunoassays for diagnosing high androgens in PCOS.[10]
In practice: If your result was borderline or surprising, ask which method your lab used. Our guide to blood tests, ultrasound and other labs for hirsutism explains the other tests you may be offered.
What are free testosterone, SHBG and the free androgen index?
Most testosterone in your blood is attached to proteins, mainly sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). Only a small fraction is free, and that is the part hair follicles can use directly.[1] So two women with the same total testosterone can have different symptoms.
| Test | What it tells you | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Total testosterone | All testosterone, bound and free | First test for most women. Best measured by LC-MS/MS.[2], [3] |
| Free testosterone | The active, unbound part | The Endocrine Society calls it the most clinically sensitive marker of androgen excess when measured well.[2] Should be calculated, or measured by equilibrium dialysis or ammonium sulfate precipitation.[3] |
| SHBG | How much testosterone is locked up | Low SHBG means more free testosterone. Lowered by obesity, insulin resistance and an underactive thyroid. Raised by estrogen-containing pills and liver disease.[11] |
| Free androgen index (FAI) | A simple estimate: Total testosterone divided by SHBG, times 100 | Less reliable when SHBG is very low or very high.[8] |
How useful are these numbers? A 2025 meta-analysis that informed the international PCOS guideline found that calculated free testosterone picked up high androgens in about 89% of women with PCOS, compared with about 74% for total testosterone and 78% for the free androgen index.[10] The guideline therefore recommends measuring both total and free testosterone.[3] There is no universal normal value for the free androgen index, because it depends on the testosterone and SHBG methods your lab uses, so use your lab’s range.[8]
What testosterone level is too high for a woman?
There is no single cutoff. Any result above your lab’s upper limit is raised, but how far above matters, and so does how fast your symptoms appeared. The international PCOS guideline says that when androgen levels are “markedly above laboratory reference ranges”, doctors should look for causes other than PMOS, and that the timing and speed of symptoms are critical.[3]
| Result (LC-MS/MS) | What it usually means | What happens next |
|---|---|---|
| Within your lab’s range | Normal androgen level. Hirsutism is still possible (idiopathic hirsutism).[2] | Free testosterone and other androgens may still be checked.[3] |
| Slightly above the range | Most often PMOS. In PCOS, Mayo notes total testosterone is “normal or mildly elevated and uncommonly exceed[s] 200 ng/dL”.[1] | Work-up for PMOS and other common causes |
| About 147 ng/dL (5.1 nmol/L) or more | A 2018 Mayo Clinic study used this level to flag possible androgen-producing tumors, with 90% sensitivity and 81% specificity.[12] | Prompt specialist review and usually imaging |
| Above 200 ng/dL (about 6.9 nmol/L) | Mayo notes that testosterone-producing ovarian or adrenal tumors “often” exceed this level.[1] | Urgent specialist review |
| After menopause: Above about 63 ng/dL (2.2 nmol/L) | In the same Mayo study, this flagged a disease cause in postmenopausal women.[12] Above 5 nmol/L is associated with virilization.[14] | Specialist review for tumors and ovarian hyperthecosis[3] |
Keep these numbers in perspective. The Mayo study included only 89 women who already had testosterone above 3.5 nmol/L (about 100 ng/dL), so its cutoffs are not rules for everyone.[12] A UK study of 1,205 women, also using LC-MS/MS, classed testosterone of 5.0 nmol/L or more as severe excess. Even in that group, most premenopausal women had PCOS rather than a tumor.[13] On the other side, the Endocrine Society warns that some tumors produce only moderately raised androgens and develop slowly, and a 2025 expert review says the clinical picture is the best predictor of a tumor.[2], [16] Signs that matter more than a single number are hair growth that appears or worsens over a few months, a deepening voice, an enlarged clitoris and increasing muscle bulk.[2] Read more in sudden facial hair growth and when it’s urgent and what causes excess testosterone in females.
When is the best time to test testosterone?
The best time is early in the morning, and if you have periods, in the first half of your cycle. The Endocrine Society says normal ranges are standardized for early-morning samples and for days 4 to 10 of the menstrual cycle.[2] MedlinePlus suggests a blood draw between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m.[5]
- Time of day: Morning. Note that the evidence for a daily rhythm is stronger in men, and a 2023 review says it is less clear in women.[8]
- Cycle day: Days 4 to 10 if your periods come.[2] In the Australian study, testosterone was slightly higher at mid-cycle and in the second half of the cycle than in the early follicular phase (0.35 vs 0.32 nmol/L).[7]
- Hormonal contraception: The pill lowers testosterone and raises SHBG, which can hide high androgens.[1] If testing is essential, the international guideline suggests stopping the combined pill for at least 3 months while using another method of contraception.[3] Never stop it without talking to your doctor first.
- One result is not the whole story: Testosterone can fluctuate from day to day, so a borderline result is often repeated.[1]
Can you have hirsutism with normal testosterone?
Yes. The Endocrine Society estimates that idiopathic hirsutism, meaning hirsutism with normal androgen levels and regular ovulation, makes up 5% to 20% of hirsute women. Among women with regular periods and mild hirsutism, about half have it.[2] In a study of 950 women referred to Italian clinics for signs of androgen excess, 7.6% had idiopathic hirsutism.[15] Read more in idiopathic hirsutism.
A normal total testosterone also does not rule out PMOS. In the UK study of 1,205 women, testosterone alone would have identified only 49% of premenopausal women with PCOS who had raised androgens. The rest showed up through other androgens, androstenedione or DHEA sulfate.[13] The international guideline suggests checking these if testosterone is normal, and says hirsutism alone predicts high androgens and PMOS in adults.[3]
When should you see a doctor about your testosterone result?
Book an appointment if your result is above your lab’s range, or if you have unwanted hair, acne or irregular periods whatever the number. Ask for an urgent review if you notice:
- Hair growth that is new and getting worse over weeks or months[2]
- A deepening voice, an enlarged clitoris or increasing muscle bulk[2]
- Missing or irregular periods together with new hair growth
- New or worsening hair growth after menopause[3]
Not sure where to start? Our which doctor should I see tool helps you choose.
Frequently asked questions
Is 70 ng/dL testosterone high for a woman?
Yes, it is above most adult female ranges, including Mayo’s upper limit of 60 ng/dL.[1] A level like this is most often due to PMOS, but your doctor will look at your symptoms and may repeat the test with LC-MS/MS.[1], [3]
What is a normal free testosterone level in women?
At Mayo Clinic Laboratories, the upper limit for adult women is about 0.7 to 1.1 ng/dL (7 to 11 pg/mL), falling slightly with age.[1] Compare with your lab’s range.[3], [8]
Can birth control affect testosterone test results?
Yes. The combined pill lowers testosterone and raises SHBG, so results on the pill can look normal even if your androgens are high without it.[1], [3]
What is a normal testosterone level for a woman in nmol/L?
Roughly 0.3 to 2.1 nmol/L at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, or 0.3 to 1.7 nmol/L for women aged 17 to 50 according to MedlinePlus.[1], [5] Always use the range on your own lab report.
Key takeaways
- A typical adult female total testosterone range is about 8 to 60 ng/dL (0.3 to 2.1 nmol/L), but ranges vary by lab and method.
- To convert, multiply ng/dL by 0.0347 for nmol/L, or nmol/L by about 28.8 for ng/dL.
- Ask for LC-MS/MS testing, early in the morning and on days 4 to 10 of your cycle if you have periods.
- Mildly raised levels usually point to PMOS. Very high levels or fast-changing symptoms need prompt specialist review.
- Normal testosterone does not rule out hirsutism or PMOS.
Sources
- Mayo Clinic Laboratories. TGRP: Testosterone, Total and Free, Serum (clinical information, interpretation and reference values). Accessed October 2026. Link
- Martin KA, Anderson RR, Chang RJ, et al. Evaluation and Treatment of Hirsutism in Premenopausal Women: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2018;103(4):1233-1257. PubMed 29522147
- Teede HJ, Tay CT, Laven JJE, et al. Recommendations From the 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2023;108(10):2447-2469. PubMed 37580314
- Teede HJ, Bahri Khomami M, Morman R, et al. Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, the new name for polycystic ovary syndrome: a multistep global consensus process. Lancet. 2026;407(10545):2329-2339. Published online May 12, 2026. PubMed 42119588
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Testosterone. Accessed October 2026. Link
- Mayo Clinic Laboratories. International System of Units (SI) Conversion. Accessed October 2026. Link
- Skiba MA, Bell RJ, Islam RM, et al. Androgens During the Reproductive Years: What Is Normal for Women? J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2019;104(11):5382-5392. PubMed 31390028
- Heijboer AC, Hannema SE. Androgen Excess and Deficiency: Analytical and Diagnostic Approaches. Clin Chem. 2023;69(12):1361-1373. PubMed 37794651
- Rosner W, Auchus RJ, Azziz R, et al. Utility, Limitations, and Pitfalls in Measuring Testosterone: An Endocrine Society Position Statement. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2007;92(2):405-413. PubMed 17090633
- Bizuneh AD, Joham AE, Teede H, et al. Evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of androgen measurement in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and diagnostic meta-analysis to inform evidence-based guidelines. Hum Reprod Update. 2025;31(1):48-63. PubMed 39305127
- MedlinePlus Medical Tests. SHBG Blood Test. Accessed October 2026. Link
- Sharma A, Kapoor E, Singh RJ, et al. Diagnostic Thresholds for Androgen-Producing Tumors or Pathologic Hyperandrogenism in Women by Use of Total Testosterone Concentrations Measured by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry. Clin Chem. 2018;64(11):1636-1645. PubMed 30068692
- Elhassan YS, Idkowiak J, Smith K, et al. Causes, Patterns, and Severity of Androgen Excess in 1205 Consecutively Recruited Women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2018;103(3):1214-1223. DOI 10.1210/jc.2017-02426
- Hirschberg AL. Approach to Investigation of Hyperandrogenism in a Postmenopausal Woman. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2023;108(5):1243-1253. PubMed 36409990
- Carmina E, Rosato F, Jannì A, Rizzo M, Longo RA. Extensive clinical experience: relative prevalence of different androgen excess disorders in 950 women referred because of clinical hyperandrogenism. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006;91(1):2-6. PubMed 16263820
- Azziz R, Amiri M, Bril F, et al. Approach to the Patient: Hirsutism. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2025;110(10):e3503-e3519. PubMed 40200552
This article is for education and is not medical advice. Talk to a doctor about diagnosis and treatment.