What Are Normal Endogenous Androgen and Estrogen Levels?

The normal endogenous androgen range in a male is 300-1100 nanograms per deciliter. Estrogen is generally below 50 picograms per milliliter.

The normal endogenous androgen range in a female is 10-100 nanograms per deciliter. (Within this range lower numbers are not necessarily considered better; remember, free-circulating androgens cannot bind to receptors very well, and therefore cannot cause much harm, if an androgen blocker is being used. Note, also, that if the androgens are at the bottom end of the scale, then libido and overall energy will likely be lacking as well.)

There are dramatic cyclic and individual variations of estrogen (simple sum of estradiol and estrone) in females, with 100-400 picograms per milliliter being the most usual, with 25-700 being possible depending on the individual. 400 is considered a nominal "mid-peak" (ovulation) level. 200-250 is considered a reasonable target for exogenous estrogen treatment. Note that only natural estrogens can be meaningfully measured, so it you take any estrogen besides estradiol valerate or estradiol, you will not be able to accurately judge the results of a blood test.

Unfortunately, serum hormone levels cannot be used as a foolproof device for titrating exogenous hormone dosage, because there is no widely available test for sensitivity to the hormones, which varies considerably between individuals. Levels should be considered a means rather than a goal. After all, M2Fs undergo hormone therapy for transformation of secondary sexual characteristics, and do not have ovaries or a uterus which would impose obvious limitations on hormone levels; non-male-to-female women have entirely different reasons for undergoing hormone replacement therapy which generally requires only a low (endogenous) level.

Next: What effect does contrasexual hormone therapy have, and how soon?