Testosterone Bloodwork: A Plain-English Guide
Every marker on a testosterone panel, what it means, and what your practitioner is actually looking for.
Total testosterone
The total amount of testosterone in your blood, including bound and unbound. Normal lab ranges are 250–900 ng/dL, but the meaningful range is narrower for symptoms.
Free testosterone
The unbound, biologically active fraction. Often the better predictor of how you feel. Should be in the upper third of the reference range for most men.
SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin)
Binds testosterone and removes it from circulation. High SHBG means low free testosterone even when total is normal. Insulin sensitivity, body composition, and thyroid status all affect SHBG.
LH and FSH
The brain signals that tell the testes to make testosterone (LH) and sperm (FSH). Low or normal LH with low testosterone = secondary hypogonadism (enclomiphene candidate). High LH with low testosterone = primary hypogonadism (TRT candidate).
Estradiol
The estrogen converted from testosterone. Essential at moderate levels. Sensitive assay (not standard assay) is the only one that gives meaningful numbers in men.
Frequently asked questions
Should I trust the lab's reference range?
Reference ranges include the bottom 2.5%, many men in the 'low normal' band have low-T symptoms.
Do I need to fast?
Yes. And morning, before noon, when testosterone is highest.
Free intake. Practitioner review in 24 hours.
No card on file until a licensed Selvara practitioner has approved a protocol, and you have approved it.
Begin intake, free