TRT with Free Testosterone Blood Test

This test profile has been designed for men taking testosterone therapy who want to monitor their male and female hormones. This test includes total testosterone as well as a calculation of the amount of free or unbound testosterone that is available to your tissues. Most testosterone in the body is bound to proteins (sex hormone binding globulin and albumin) and is unavailable to your cells. By measuring your total testosterone and your levels of SHBG and albumin, the laboratory can calculate your level of free testosterone. If you have high levels of SHBG then your free testosterone will be lower, even when your total testosterone is normal. Low free testosterone can cause symptoms such as low libido, lack of muscle mass, and low mood. It is also important for anyone taking TRT to check the levels of female hormones in the blood as high levels of testosterone can also cause high oestradiol. This is especially important if you are experiencing symptoms which are associated with high oestradiol (including growth of breast tissue and low libido).

Monitoring your hormone levels allows you and your practitioner to optimise your dose of testosterone replacement.