Testosterone Test?

chuckb24c

I just received my test back and I am not sure what to think....all in the normal range but would like to know others opinions or experiences. Not sure of the meaning of each reading..

Testosterone, Free Serum Mine:8.91 ng/dL Range: 3.47 - 13.0 ng/dL **Seems in line.
Testosterone, Total, S Mine: 270 ng/dL Range: 240 - 950 ng/dL ** Looks like I am running out of points!!

Any thoughts on this?...I am not worried but very curious. I don't believe I build strength as fast as others do but that could be my imagination..

jseams1234

Your Free or Bioavailable levels are more important than your total. You can have a much higher total and very little bioavailable/free T because it's being bound up and unusable by SHBG and by Albumin. All T not bound by SHBG is considered "Bioavailable" while only T not bound by either SHBG or Albumin is considered "Free".

As for your "Free Testosterone"...

TESTOSTERONE, FREE

Males (adult):

20-<25 years: 5.25-20.7 ng/dL

25-<30 years: 5.05-19.8 ng/dL

30-<35 years: 4.85-19.0 ng/dL

35-<40 years: 4.65-18.1 ng/dL

40-<45 years: 4.46-17.1 ng/dL

45-<50 years: 4.26-16.4 ng/dL

50-<55 years: 4.06-15.6 ng/dL

55-<60 years: 3.87-14.7 ng/dL

60-<65 years: 3.67-13.9 ng/dL

65-<70 years: 3.47-13.0 ng/dL

70-<75 years: 3.28-12.2 ng/dL

75-<80 years: 3.08-11.3 ng/dL

80-<85 years: 2.88-10.5 ng/dL

85-<90 years: 2.69-9.61 ng/dL

90-<95 years: 2.49-8.76 ng/dL

95-100+ years: 2.29-7.91 ng/dL

edit: Keep in mind, you wouldn't be considered "low" on free T even if you were 20 years old with a 8.91 ng/dL reading.

chuckb24c

Thanks so much for that...It really helps. So why is the total taken and does it mean anything significant?

apullum

Total testosterone levels can sometimes reflect problems, so it's not an entirely useless test, but there is a lot of fluctuation in both tests. Neither one is perfect and doctors often use them as part of a larger picture to make diagnoses. The levels that you posted appear to be in the normal range, but if you're still having symptoms, then I would continue working with your doctor to verify those results and/or look at other possible diagnoses.

Here's a quick overview of both tests: https://www.health.harvard.edu/mens-health/testing-your-testosterone-its-tricky