After being on testosterone and never feeling good. I finally increased my dose and finally feel symptom free, but my levels are high, which has me concerned long term even though i feel great right now
TESTOSTERONE, TOTAL
1950 (250-1100 ng/dL)
TESTOSTERONE, FREE
492.3 (35.0-155.0 pg/mL )
ESTRADIOL,ULTRASENSITIVE,
90 < OR = 29 pg/mL
Looking at your past posts you were running a TT of around 1200.
Noticed in past posts your SHBG was around 32-35 nmol/L.
Gman asked.....
"What’s ur SHBG?"
You stated.....
"Like 20"
So although treating ones symptoms is what truly matters over just ones numbers.....do understand that where ones levels are is still an important part of the overall picture as lab work is not only critical to how said dose of T will effect ones TT/FT/e2 levels but most importantly overall health markers such as hemoglobin/hematocrit, lipids.
As you should know that use of exogenous testosterone will not only increase ones hemoglobin/hematocrit/RBC's but high levels can also have a negative impact on lipids (lowering HDL).
The goal of trt is not only to improve/relieve low-t symptoms and increase overall well-being but to minimize/prevent potential side-effects.
The most sensible approach would be to use the least amount in order to derive the full benefits while at the same time negating any potential side effects.
Although TT is important FT is what truly matters as it is the unbound active fraction of testosterone responsible for the positive effects.
Ones SHBG level is critical as not only will it dictate ones dose/injection frequency but most importantly it will have a huge impact on what dose of T is needed to achieve a TT level that will result in a healthy FT level.
Most men do well having FT in the 25-30 ng/dL range where as others may need levels in the 30-50 ng/dL range depending on the individual and there response to the use of exogenous testosterone.
Everyone is different and you have to find what TT/FT level works best for you while at the same time maintaining overall health.
Many seem to think more T is always better and higher and higher levels are needed to see benefits when in fact many can truly feel better on less.
Now for your reality check.
First and foremost although your FT is very high well above the reference range the testing you had done was the piss poor
direct immunoassay which is
inaccurate and unless you are getting testing done using the
gold standard Equilibrium Dialysis or Ultrafiltration or better yet using the newer calculated method
TruT Free Testosterone Calculator by FPT .....than you truly have no idea where your FT levels sit and if anything most would be shocked to find out that their FT levels are much higher than what the direct immunoassay is telling them.
I am going to put this plain and simple.....for having an SHBG of 20 nmol/L not only are your TT levels insanely HIGH but more importantly your FT levels are f***ing way too f****ing HIGH!
No one and I mean no one on trt needs to be running a FT level over 50 ng/dL to experience relief/improvement of low-t symptoms let alone feel great!
You are kidding yourself and if you feel you truly need FT levels that high to feel good than you most likely have other underlying issues.....thyroid/adrenal/lifestyle factors.
If we use the newer calculated method than with a
TT 1950 ng/dl, SHBG 20 nmol/L and
Albumin 4.3 g/dl (mean) than your
FT is an absurdly high 74.72 ng/dL (way the f*** over the top end of the reference range 16-31 ng/dL)
With an
SHBG of 20 nmol/L you could easily run a
TT of 1325 ng/dL and your FT would still be at the top end of the 30-50 ng/dL range as
FT would be 50.09 ng/dL
Again sure you may feel great overall now but hard to say in the long term!
We also have to keep in mind that a downfall of forums is as we all know there are many that post on here stating they feel amazing at such high test levels and all their health markers are A OK yet they never post full lab work to back up such claims!
Again treating symptoms is what truly matters but at the same time we need to be sensible here and regardless of some stating numbers are just numbers is irresponsible as ones long term health is KEY!
