I am 49 years old.
6' - 190 lbs.
Lean and lift weights seriously 6 days a week.
I had mentioned to my Doctor at my yearly physical that my workout recovery is getting longer and I am sore more often.
I also mentioned my motivation levels to get to gym have been a little lower lately.
Everything else: sleep, sex drive, erections Are all fine.
She told me she would do a
Testosterone test.
My Total Testosterone was 653 ng/dl (Range 300 to 890) Arup Lab
That seemed good.
My Free Testosterone was 71.5 pg/ml (Range 47.0 to 244)
Kinda freaked out seeing that Free Testosterone level on the lower side of the reference range.
Do I have anything to be concerned about??
When was blood drawn?
Unfortunately, your FT was most likely not tested using an accurate assay.
The only way to know where your FT level truly sits is to have it tested using the most accurate assays such as the gold standard Equilibrium Dialysis or Ultrafiltration (next best).
Although your TT is robust 653 ng/dL it will come down to where your SHBG sits as this will have a significant impact on your free testosterone.
Men can have highish/high TT levels but lowish/low FT levels if SHBG is high.
Testing should be done in a fasted state between 7-10 am as we want to test at peak.
During the 24hr circadian rhythm of a healthy young male testosterone levels will start to increase around 3-4 am reaching a peak between 6-8 am and by 11-12 pm will start to decline late afternoon/early evening reaching a trough between 6-8 pm.
Fluctuations from peak--->trough would be around 20-25%
Natural T levels follow a diurnal 24 hr circadian rhythm and will start to rise gradually around 3 am reaching peak levels around 8 am
Natural endogenous testosterone secretion is pulsatile and diurnal.
Keep in mind that dysfunction (thyroid/adrenals) can mimic symptoms of low-t.
When it comes to testing hormones it is critical to use accurate assays TT/estradiol/DHT (LC-MS/MS) and FT (ED or UF).
Although TT is important to know FT is what truly matters as it is the active unbound fraction of testosterone responsible for the positive effects.
As I stated previously where your SHBG sits will have a significant impact on TT/FT.
Lean and lift weights seriously 6 days a week.
I had mentioned to my Doctor at my yearly physical that my workout recovery is getting longer and I am sore more often.
I also mentioned my motivation levels to get to gym have been a little lower lately.
These are the only symptoms you mention.
As you should very well know diet/rest will play a big role let alone excess stress (mental/physical) can lead to overtraining and hammer down T levels.
Everything else: sleep, sex drive, erections Are all fine.
The most common symptoms of low-t are low energy/mood, low libido, erectile dysfunction such as lack of NPT (nocturnal penile tumescence), spontaneous erections, lack of morning wood).
If anything I would take a week off from the gym (as you are training 6 days/week) and have blood work done using one of the most accurate assays for FT (Equilibrium Dialysis or Ultrafiltration) let alone test your SHBG.
