Total vs. Free Testosterone?

[Virginian]

My last bloods had a total testosterone of 919 ng/dL. This was well within the normal range of 300-1100.

My free testosterone was 257 pg/mL with a range of 30-135. My reading was much higher than the normal range.

Which is the most significant number? Which has most effect on how you feel? Why would one be within range and the other far outside the range?

 

[Megatron28]

Both are significant. They are correlated. High Free T is good. I wouldn't worry about it being too high. Just means more T is available to reach their target tissues in your body.

 

[Alpin]

A lot of docs won't examine a case of hypogonadism by Free T alone....
I don't know why. They want Total T and Bio Avail. T to be "low" to be considered "hypo".

 

[corvettels3]

it's good to have both, but free is what really matters.

 

[Alpin]

are these levels on TRT ?

 

[Virginian]

are these levels on TRT ?

Yes, I am on TRT - started about 6 months ago. I am still experimenting to find out what dose works best for me. For the month before the blood test I was taking about 100mg/week, but I had been taking more like 120 to 140 mg/week before that.

The reason that I dropped to 100 mg/week is that my doctor thought my T levels from my previous blood were too high (Total = 1244 and free = 331.)

I can't say that I feel any difference between 140 mg/week and 100 mg/week. Both feel great. Does that make sense?

 

[Alpin]

Yes, I am on TRT - started about 6 months ago. I am still experimenting to find out what dose works best for me. For the month before the blood test I was taking about 100mg/week, but I had been taking more like 120 to 140 mg/week before that.

The reason that I dropped to 100 mg/week is that my doctor thought my T levels from my previous blood were too high (Total = 1244 and free = 331.)

I can't say that I feel any difference between 140 mg/week and 100 mg/week. Both feel great. Does that make sense?

Those labs were taken how many days from the T shot ,you're saying you were on 140 mg/week for that test ?
You inject once or twice a week ?
I'm surprised no one asked yet.

 

[Virginian]

Those labs were taken how many days from the T shot ,you're saying you were on 140 mg/week for that test ?
You inject once or twice a week ?
I'm surprised no one asked yet.

For the last set of labs, I was injecting (sub Q) once every 4 days. And I was injecting 56mg/injection, which is equivlent to about 100mg (not 140mg) per 7 days. The 140mg/week gives me a total test closer to 1244.

Those labs were taken on the 5th day after the previous injection. Normally, I don't go 5 days without an injection, but since my doctor thought my first set of labs was too high, I wanted to low-ball the test results. Thus, the 5 day interval.