How to Read Your Testosterone Blood Panel

Beyond Total Testosterone

Most men only look at total testosterone, but that's just part of the picture. Here's what to ask your doctor to test:

Key Markers

- **Total Testosterone**: The headline number. Optimal range: 500-900 ng/dL (lab "normal" starts at 264, but functional optimization begins above 500).

- **Free Testosterone**: The unbound, bioavailable fraction. This is what your body can actually use. Target: 15-25 pg/mL.

- **SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin)**: Binds to testosterone and makes it unavailable. High SHBG = lower free T. Target: 20-50 nmol/L.

- **Estradiol (E2)**: Testosterone converts to estrogen via aromatase. Too high = symptoms of low T even with normal total T. Target: 20-35 pg/mL.

- **LH (Luteinizing Hormone)**: Signals your testes to produce testosterone. Low LH with low T = hypothalamic issue. Target: 3-10 mIU/mL.

When to Test

- Morning (before 10am) for accurate readings

- Fasted state preferred

- Repeat every 90 days during optimization

- Always use the same lab for consistency