Not by the usual cutoff. A result of about 4 ng/mL (400 ng/dL) sits above the 3.0 ng/mL (300 ng/dL) line that a 2026 study cites for low testosterone on a blood test. Your symptoms, the time of day you were tested and the test your lab ran all change what that number means, so read the rest before you act on it.
How to convert ng/mL to ng/dL, and where the low line sits
Testosterone results come in two units, and they differ by a factor of 100. To convert ng/mL to ng/dL, multiply by 100.
- 4.19 ng/mL × 100 = 419 ng/dL
- 3.0 ng/mL × 100 = 300 ng/dL
The Basic and Clinical Andrology study describes the conventional threshold for biochemical hypogonadism (low testosterone shown on a blood test) as typically below 3.0 ng/mL. UChicago Medicine’s men’s health Q&A puts low T at generally below 300 ng/dL, which is the same line in the other unit.
What the 2026 study found about testosterone over time
The study looked at records from 90,125 infertile men treated at the Reproductive Medicine Center of Chongqing Maternal and Child Health Hospital in China, from January 2017 to December 2024. It came from one center and used existing records rather than following men forward.
| Period | Dates | Median testosterone (ng/mL) | Median testosterone (ng/dL) | Middle half of men (ng/mL) | Compared with pre-pandemic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-pandemic | 2017 to 2019 | 4.46 | 446 | 3.25 to 6.12 | Reference |
| Post-phase 1 | December 8, 2022 to 2023 | 4.31 | 431 | 2.93 to 5.61 | Lower, p=0.011 |
| Post-phase 2 | 2024 | 4.19 | 419 | 3.02 to 5.56 | Lower, p=0.006 |
Median means the middle value of all the men’s results. Testosterone fell from a median of 4.46 ng/mL before the pandemic to 4.19 ng/mL in 2024. That is a drop of 0.27 ng/mL, or 27 ng/dL, about 6.1%. The period from 2020 to December 7, 2022 did not differ significantly from pre-pandemic levels (p=0.591). Over the same years, luteinizing hormone (LH) declined and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) stayed stable.
The 2024 median stayed well above the threshold for biochemical hypogonadism. The authors say the drop is unlikely to be a clinically overt hypogonadal state. They add that even moderate reductions may have subtle effects on libido, energy or body composition.
This is an association in one clinic group, not proof that COVID-19 caused it
The study compared time periods, not individual infections. The authors say they could not separate the direct effects of the virus from stress, lifestyle changes and disrupted healthcare. Their findings are associations and cannot show cause.
The men were already attending an infertility clinic at one center in China, so the result describes that group. It is not a finding about men in general.
Why one test and your lab’s range can change the answer
MedlinePlus explains that a testosterone test is usually a blood draw taken in the morning, between 7 and 10, because levels are typically highest then. You can read more in the MedlinePlus testosterone levels test entry.
Which test ran also matters. A total testosterone test measures bound and free testosterone together, and it is the most common. A free testosterone test measures only the unattached form.
MedlinePlus says results “may mean different things depending on which test was done, your age, your symptoms, the results of other tests, and other conditions you may have.” It also says “it’s normal for testosterone levels to decrease with age.” For more on that, see our testosterone and aging guide.
Cutoffs also differ by source. UChicago Medicine says males over 18 should have a level between 300 and 800 ng/dL, and that every man has a different baseline.
| Source | Cutoff or range | In ng/mL | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic and Clinical Andrology study (2026) | Below 300 ng/dL | Below 3.0 | Conventional threshold for biochemical hypogonadism |
| UChicago Medicine men’s health Q&A | Generally below 300 ng/dL | Below 3.0 | Says every man has a different baseline |
| UChicago Medicine men’s health Q&A | 300 to 800 ng/dL for males over 18 | 3.0 to 8.0 | Stated range for adult males |
What are the signs of low testosterone?
MedlinePlus lists these symptoms of low T:
- Low sex drive
- Erectile dysfunction, meaning difficulty getting or keeping an erection
- Infertility
- Enlarged breasts
- Lack of face or body hair
- Thinning bones or anemia without a known cause
- Loss of muscle mass
Cleveland Clinic’s low testosterone page calls low sex drive and erectile dysfunction two main signs. It adds low energy, fuzzy thinking, and increased body fat with less muscle mass.
What happens if my testosterone level is low?
MedlinePlus says abnormal results with symptoms may point to a health problem, and a testosterone test alone can’t diagnose a condition. It lists possible causes of low T, including problems with the testicles, chronic diseases such as liver or kidney disease, a pituitary gland disorder, benign tumors, injury to the testicles, alcohol use disorder and genetic diseases such as Klinefelter syndrome.
Cleveland Clinic says low testosterone is treatable. Its care team bases options, such as testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), on your symptoms, test results and goals.
If you are also trying to have a child, the NICHD infertility causes page notes that problems in the male are just as likely as problems in the female.
What to ask your clinician about your result
Take your result to a clinician and ask them to review it alongside your symptoms. Ask:
- Is my result in ng/dL, and what cutoff does your lab use?
- Was this total, free or bioavailable testosterone?
- Do my symptoms match this number, and should the test be repeated in the morning?
- Do any of the conditions MedlinePlus lists need checking?
- Should LH and FSH be measured alongside testosterone?
MedlinePlus says not to stop or change any medicine unless your provider tells you to, so bring a list of what you take. For a plainer walk through the numbers, read our testosterone testing guide.
By Vitamins-For-Men.com Editorial Team
This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your doctor or qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine.