Testosterone, Free, Bioavailable and Total, MS

Overview:

Testosterone circulates in three states: tightly bound to sex hormone binding globulin, loosely bound to albumin, and free. Only the free and albumin-bound portions can readily reach tissues, and together they make up bioavailable testosterone. This panel measures total testosterone by mass spectrometry and also SHBG and albumin, which allows free and bioavailable levels to be calculated. That matters because SHBG varies considerably with age, body weight, thyroid function and liver health, so two people with identical totals can have very different available hormone. Levels are highest in the morning, so timing affects the result.

Categories:

Hormone

Biomarkers:

5 biomarkers in 2 categories