Testosterone Therapy: What Men Need to Know About Low T and TRT Treatment Los Angeles Times

Testosterone Test: Free & SHBG, High vs Low vs. Normal Levels

Weight training, in particular, is beneficial for supporting healthy T levels, according to research. A small 2015 study of men in their 40s and 50s found that obese and overweight individuals experienced a boost in their T levels after increasing their physical activity. Well, to start, “testosterone is essential for sperm production,” he says. As T levels decline, so do sperm counts and semen quality, which can lead to issues in fertility, he says. For those who want to grow their family, this can lead to high levels of emotional stress on the individual and family levels. “On a societal scale, this could exacerbate population challenges, particularly in countries already experiencing aging populations and workforce shortages,” he says. But because it doesn’t dissolve in water (or blood), most testosterone (about 95%) catches a ride on other proteins, like sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and albumin.

Therefore, simply having low testosterone levels does not always call for taking extra testosterone. To diagnose low free testosterone, healthcare providers typically perform a blood test. It’s crucial to get tested in the morning when testosterone levels are at their peak. If initial tests indicate low levels, further evaluation, including measuring SHBG and albumin, may be necessary to determine the cause and extent of the deficiency. In conclusion, our study revealed that in males, the prevalence of kidney stones was significantly greater when the serum testosterone concentration was less than 3.33 ng/ml. A limitation of our study is that we used data from a single clinical health examination center in a single region.

This includes follow-up blood tests to assess hormone levels and evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment, as well as monitoring for potential side effects. Patient education about the signs of hormone imbalance and the importance of adhering to treatment regimens is also key. Similarly, conditions that alter SHBG levels can affect the amount of free male testosterone shots without necessarily changing the total testosterone. For instance, aging, certain medications, and health conditions like liver disease can increase SHBG levels, while obesity and insulin resistance might decrease them. In most cases, men need to have both low levels of testosterone in their blood and several symptoms of low testosterone to go on therapy. But if you do not have any key symptoms, especially fatigue and sexual dysfunction, which are the most common, it is not recommended you go on the therapy given the uncertainty about long-term safety. This website is a repository of publicly available information and is not intended to form a physician-patient relationship with any individual.

If your doctor diagnoses low testosterone, other tests may be considered before therapy. For example, low testosterone can speed bone loss, so your doctor may recommend a bone density test to see whether you also need treatment for osteoporosis. This service is particularly useful if you have many reports to upload or if you’re too busy to handle the data entry yourself.

Simply attach an image or file of your lab test results, and a qualified team member from our data entry team will add the results for you. Labcorp OnDemand also offers a Men’s Health Test that checks total testosterone along with blood sugar, cholesterol and other key health indicators. Have an open discussion with your healthcare provider about whether testosterone testing may be right for you. That being said, it can be worthwhile to ask your doc to also get numbers for your free T, bioavailable T, and SHBG levels. These sub-numbers can help shed light on why you may be experiencing symptoms when everything looks normal with the total T. “We do sometimes initiate treatment on men with a low calculated free T if the total T is borderline,” Dr. Welliver says.

Recent studies show that testosterone attached to albumin becomes available in the capillary bed, which is why it is also referred to as bioavailable testosterone. When you are low on free testosterone, then albumin-bound testosterone may become available and ready to use by the body. It stimulates the growth of muscle tissue, enhancing both its size and strength. This anabolic effect not only contributes to a more muscular physique but also aids in the maintenance of bone density, thereby reducing the risk of osteoporosis as men age. Doctors diagnose low testosterone based on a physical exam, a review of symptoms, and the results of multiple blood tests since levels can fluctuate daily. Free testosterone and albumin-bound testosterone are also referred to as bioavailable testosterone.

These hormonal shifts are a natural part of the maturation process, playing a crucial role in the transition from childhood to adolescence. There is a moment in every man’s life when they are at their peak – a time when vitality, strength, and energy seem boundless. It’s no coincidence that this peak often aligns with the highest levels of testosterone in the body. Testosterone, a vital hormone predominantly found in males, plays a crucial role in numerous aspects of health and well-being. However, as the years pass, testosterone levels naturally decline, leaving many men feeling farther and farther away from their physical peak. It is crucial to interpret free testosterone levels in the context of a woman’s overall health and symptoms. For example, a woman with low energy, low libido, and reduced muscle mass may benefit from having a free testosterone level closer to the upper end of the reference range.

It’s worth noting that while free testosterone levels can provide useful information about a woman’s hormonal balance, they should be interpreted alongside other clinical information and symptoms. Hormone levels can vary throughout the menstrual cycle, so a single measurement may not provide a comprehensive picture of an individual’s hormonal status. Determining the “normal” or recommended range of free testosterone levels for women is challenging, as different laboratories may have slightly different reference ranges.