About to do a pre-TRT blood work and I was wondering if I should do both, or is total not necessary.
I think on most places they do not measure free testosterone correctly.
So better do total testosterone, SHBG, Albumin and you can easily calculate the free testosterone.
How was that conclusion reached, about most places not correctly measuring free test?
Is this a personal opinion, common knowledge, fact?
Difficult to explain. There is no standard for a good method to measure free t. On most places they use something called “direct assay” that shows very overestimated values. The best doctors in the world are interested in the calculated free t. I’ve learned it from them.
There was one guy here who explained it very well but cannot find the post
Ok this is new information and makes things even more complicated.
So what’s the best way to go about this?
You can go to Discount Labs are order these labs yourself.
Get both done. No reason not to.
$$ usually is
You can save a lot of money by not getting tested or getting on TRT. Look at how many folks here post labs without free T. If you are able to find one look at the very first comment requesting free T. Get it. It’s your quality of life you are talking about. If you don’t feel like shit enough to find a way to pay $20 for free T then you probably don’t need TRT. If you need a way to get $20 go to YouTube and search for Hookers on the Point. Very informative documentary
Appreciate your input.
You are getting worked up without understanding the question. I invite you to have another look at the OP. Thanks!
Another thing. T-Nation is open to users in 196 countries (give or take). I believe you are under the impression that whoever is here is in the US.
@JJLee
I’m just playing. I don’t expect you to watch the YouTube video and become a hooker to make $20 for a free T test. I do think getting a free T test makes a lot of sense. There’s quite a few folks here not from the US that all figure out how to get a free T test. OP asked if he should. The answer is yes. He didn’t say “there’s no way I can get a free T test”.
For the record the Hookers on the Point documentary is f—ing amazing if you haven’t seen it.
Care to explain “why” taking both total AND free test is necessary as opposed to just one?
Total gives an idea of your natural production level
Free T gives an idea of what is unbound/available to your body to be used.
It’s really not much money get both
If you aren’t getting free T, at least get shbg. You can calculate free T if you have total T and SHBG
Gotcha! I understand how those two tests function. What I’m asking is why both? How do I benefit from the total T info when I have free T info?
You have a valid point. I could say if you have low free T and high total T then you know you need to lower SHBG… but the treatment for lowering SHBG is really adding more T anyways… which is the same thing you’d do for low total and low free, so I’m not sure it makes much difference
I’d still get both to be honest, but you have a point (IMO anyways)
For more accurate results pre trt and post trt. It helps the doctor find a proper protocol, they can see how your body aromatases your hormones and binds them up. What a stupid question, just do both.