What does testosterone bioavailable mean?
Historically, only free testosterone was thought to be the biologically active component. However, testosterone is weakly bound to serum albumin and dissociates freely in the capillary bed, thereby becoming readily available for tissue uptake. All non-SHBG-bound testosterone is therefore considered bioavailable.
Is bioavailable testosterone important?
When it comes to hypogonadism, the level of free and bioavailable testosterone matters, too—because free T is what your body has readily available in the bloodstream.
What does it mean if your bioavailable testosterone is high?
Andropause in men (decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, muscle weakness, etc.) is caused by secondary hypogonadism associated with aging. In women, high levels of bioavailable testosterone are consistent with overactive adrenal glands or ovaries (polycystic ovaries).
Should I test free or total testosterone?
Total T should be the first test ordered in the workup for hypogonadism. Free T is most useful when there is a reason to suspect that the sex hormone- binding globulin level is abnormally decreased, leading to potentially falsely low total T readings. This may occur particularly in older or obese patients.
What is a low bioavailable testosterone level?
Generally, most experts would agree that a total testosterone level less than 250 ng/dL is considered low, whereas some experts endorse a higher level of around 350 ng/dL as the lower limit of normal.
What is a good free testosterone number?
For healthy adult men, the normal range is considered to be between 264-914 ng/dL. Free testosterone levels are measured by picogram/milliliter. Normal free testosterone levels vary from a range of 9.3-26.5 pg/mL for men aged 20-29, to 6.6-18.1 pg/mL for men 59 and older.
What should my bioavailable testosterone be?
Only 2-3% exists in free, biological active form. Testosterone is weakly bound to albumin and can be reversed easily, therefore albumin bound and free testosterone are considered to be bioavailable testosterone….Male ≥18 years old.
| Male ≥18 years old | |
|---|---|
| % Free Testosterone | 1.1-3.0% |
| Bioavailable Testosterone | 108-500 ng/dL |
Is bioavailable testosterone the same as total testosterone?
Testosterone and sex hormones are referred to as “bound” when attached to SHBG. When these hormones are not bound to SHBG, they are referred to as “free”, or “bioavailable”, and can freely exert their effects upon your body. The sum of bound and free testosterone is referred to as total testosterone.
What is a healthy bioavailable testosterone level?
Male ≥18 years old
| Male ≥18 years old | |
|---|---|
| Free Testosterone | 4.5-25.0 ng/dL |
| % Free Testosterone | 1.1-3.0% |
| Bioavailable Testosterone | 108-500 ng/dL |
What is a healthy free testosterone level?
What does high bioavailable testosterone mean?
High testosterone is associated with a condition called polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Women with PCOS have high total and bioavailable testosterone and irregular periods and often do not ovulate. They also have extra hair growth on their face and acne.
What is the best free testosterone level?
The normal range for free testosterone in men age 18 to 69 is 46 to 224 ng/dL and men 70 to 89 is 6 to 73 ng/dL. Bioavailable testosterone should measure 110 to 575 ng/dL in men age 18 to 69 and 15 to 150 ng/dL in men 70 to 89.
What causes low free testosterone levels?
Causes Of Low Testosterone. Normal levels of testosterone fall anywhere between 300-1000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dl), with free testosterone levels usually being between 3-9 ng/dl. There are a number of causes of low testosterone levels, including: Aging. Pituitary gland problems. Toxin or heavy metal exposure. Stroke.
Can TRT cause ED?
It can definitely cause ED in some patients, usually if the testosterone dose is too high or the period between injections is too long (more than a week). If TRT is done right, see stickies here, libido will be optimal.