Need assistance in understanding blood test results - Ranges not defined?

[lobsterman]

Hello,

My first posting.

51 year old male
5'8" - 235lbs
Powerlifter build, muscular but 27-30% body fat

Testosterone - Serum (Final)
- Testosterone Result: 7.9 Reference Range: 5.2 - 23.7

The lab did not define what these reference ranges measurements are? Please help. Can anyone tell me what this Reference Range: 5.2 - 23.7 means in nanograms per deciliter (ng/dl) or nanomoles per liter (nmol/L)?

Last 5 years, lost strength, lost sex drive, prone to injuries, mental/physical fatigue, etc. Also, are my Testosterone levels low enough that a M.D. would consider looking at HRT?

Thank you for any assistance with this,
lobsterman

Creatinine - Serum (Final)
- Creatinine 136 (H) 62 - 115
- GFR/1.73 sq M.Predicted; CKD-EPI 51 (L) >89
eGFR result is consistent with mild to moderately decreased kidney
function.
-Effective May 20 2015, eGFR is calculated using the CKD-EPI 2009
equation.
- KDIGO 2012 guidelines highlight the importance of eGFR and urine
albumin creatinine ratio (ACR) in screening, diagnosis and management of
CKD. Results for eGFR should be interpreted in concert with ACR.
Electrolytes - Serum (Final)
- Sodium 141 136 - 145
Potassium - Serum (Final)
- Potassium 4.8 3.5 - 5.1
Lipid Assessment - Serum (Final)
- Cholesterol 4.17
- Triglyceride 1.69 <1.70
- Cholesterol In HDL 0.97 (L) >1.20
- Cholesterol Non HDL 3.20
* Non HDL-cholesterol is total cholesterol minus HDL and is not affected
by the fasting status.
- Cholesterol In LDL; Calculated 2.42
* LDL calculation is decreased if fasting < or = 10 hours. Consider the
non HDL Chol value as an alternate lipid target if monitoring treatment
in intermediate or high risk patients.
- Cholesterol/Cholesterol In HDL Ratio 4.30 5.00
Hemoglobin A1 c - Whole blood (Final)
- Hemoglobin A1C/Total Hemoglobin; Blood 6.2 4.0 - 6.2
HbA1c >=6.5% is diagnostic of diabetes. Refer to CJD, April 2013-Volume
37-Supplement 1 for more information.
Thyrotropin - Serum (Final)
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone [TSH] 4.11 0.27 - 4.20
Testosterone - Serum (Final)
- Testosterone 7.9 5.2 - 23.7
Urinalysis Chemical - Urine (Final)
- Colour Straw
- Clarity; Urine Clear
- Protein Negative
- pH 7.0
- Hemoglobin Negative
- Specific Gravity; Urine <1.005
- Ketones Negative
- Glucose Negative
- Nitrite Negative
- Leukocytes Negative

 

[Systemlord]

The lab did not define what these reference ranges measurements are?

Testing at Quest Diagnostics you can land you at the top end of the ranges, at LabCorp, the same sample of blood gets you midrange. The Free T testing at this time is poorly defined, and therefore Free T testing is problematic to which the CDC is attempting to address.

The high creatine and low GFR points to kidney function problems. Renal failure is associated with decreased LH production, A reduction in clearance rate of prolactin leads to hyperprolactinemia that can inhibit LH production and in turn lead to decrease in testosterone production.

Last 5 years, lost strength, lost sex drive, prone to injuries, mental/physical fatigue, etc. Also, are my Testosterone levels low enough that a M.D. would consider looking at HRT?

There’s the million dollar question, I’m afraid you’re going to end up playing the doctor lottery. There aren’t enough doctors out there that truly specialize in TRT/HRT, many make the claim but fall short of hitting the mark.

TRT or sex hormones isn’t taught in mainstream medical schools and residency. Often times men are told there levels are normal, when in fact no one can agree on what is normal.

Low-T clinics to the rescue. A lot of men have to go this route, who were told there normal, only to respond very well to TRT/HRT.

 

[Systemlord]

Testosterone Level: How Low is Too Low? Health Consequences of Low Testosterone

I was able to summarize all available studies on testosterone blood levels and how they are linked to several health issues. I will add references soon. Low Blood Levels of Testosterone and Associated Risks: < 450 ng/dl (15.3 nmol/l) - Risk of metabolic syndrome Reference: Dhindsa, S...

www.excelmale.com

Impact of Low Free Testosterone on Prostate Cancer

www.excelmale.com

Free Testosterone Levels [Update • 2022] The Ultimate Guide

Free testosterone levels dictate exactly how much of a “man” one feels. From sex drive to deciveness, free-T levels matter. Inside, you’ll find out why.

www.testosterone.org

^^^

Many medical professionals consider the low end of the free testosterone range to be a sign of hypogonadism or low testosterone.

 

[lobsterman]

Thank you for the quick reply Systemlord. Much appreciated.

 

[t_spacemonkey]

my EGFR has been swinging in the range of 60-110. typically 90. in my case it has to do with diet/exercise/weight lifting regimen. also hydration plays a role.

 

[lobsterman]

my EGFR has been swinging in the range of 60-110. typically 90. in my case it has to do with diet/exercise/weight lifting regimen. also hydration plays a role.

Thank you SpaceMonkey.

 

[sammmy]

Most probably your total testosterone is measured in nmol/L.
The conversion factor for testosterone is 1 nmol/L = 28.85 ng/dL.

7.9 nmol/L x 28.85 = 228 ng/dL which is below the typical low testosterone cutoff of 300 ng/dL
Your lab lists the normal range interval as [5.2, 23.7] nmol/L x 28.85 = [150, 684] ng/dL - these limits are a bit low for a normal range.

Your creatinine could be high because you eat a lot of meat or take creatine supplements or protein shakes with creatine or drugs that increase it. Some infections may also increase creatinine. The eGFR is entirely calculated from creatinine so it means nothing if your creatinine is artificially elevated by supplements - in such cases you have to do Cystatin C test which is not affected by supplements.

What kind of a diet are you on?
Your triglycerides and Hemoglobin 1Ac are high which suggests too much sugar/junk food consumption.

 

[t_spacemonkey]

Most probably your total testosterone is measured in nmol/L.
The conversion factor for testosterone is 1 nmol/L = 28.85 ng/dL.

7.9 nmol/L x 28.85 = 228 ng/dL which is below the typical low testosterone cutoff of 300 ng/dL
Your lab lists the normal range interval as [5.2, 23.7] nmol/L x 28.85 = [150, 684] ng/dL - these limits are a bit low for a normal range.

Your creatinine could be high because you eat a lot of meat or take creatine supplements or protein shakes with creatine or drugs that increase it. Some infections may also increase creatinine. The eGFR is entirely calculated from creatinine so it means nothing if your creatinine is artificially elevated by supplements - in such cases you have to do Cystatin C test which is not affected by supplements.

What kind of a diet are you on?
Your triglycerides and Hemoglobin 1Ac are high which suggests too much sugar/junk food consumption.

good point. my egfr goes to hell when i do carnivore diet + supplement creatine + take in a lot of additional protein. they told me at defy that it is normal for it to go down. when i pause, i get up to 110, which is a value of a baby and i am 44

 

[madman]

Testing at Quest Diagnostics you can land you at the top end of the ranges, at LabCorp, the same sample of blood gets you midrange. The Free T testing at this time is poorly defined, and therefore Free T testing is problematic to which the FDA is attempting to address.

The high creatine and low GFR points to kidney function problems. Renal failure is associated with decreased LH production, A reduction in clearance rate of prolactin leads to hyperprolactinemia that can inhibit LH production and in turn lead to decrease in testosterone production.


There’s the million dollar question, I’m afraid you’re going to end up playing the doctor lottery. There aren’t enough doctors out there that truly specialize in TRT/HRT, many make the claim but fall short of hitting the mark.

TRT or sex hormones isn’t taught in mainstream medical schools and residency. Often times men are told there levels are normal, when in fact no one can agree on what is normal.

Low-T clinics to the rescue. A lot of men have to go this route, who were told there normal, only to respond very well to TRT/HRT.

All the time and effort I have spent on this!

CDC!

Direct Measurements of Free Hormones Using Mass Spectrometry-Based Methods

Only at Excel, are we gonna take you deep! Clinical Utility and Analytical Aspects of Direct Measurements of Free Hormones Using Mass Spectrometry-Based Methods (2022) Mark M. Kushnir, Heather A. Nelson, and Kelly Doyle Background The free hormone (FH) hypothesis states that hormone...

www.excelmale.com

CDC STANDARDIZED TOTAL T and ESTRADIOL ASSAYS and soon to be FREE TESTOSTERONE!

How the CDC Clinical Standardization Programs Are Improving Hormone Tests - AACC.org WHAT PROGRESS HAS CDC MADE WITH STANDARDIZING TOTAL TESTOSTERONE AND ESTRADIOL TESTS? Since HoSt began in 2010, CDC has had more than 350 participants in 15 countries. Participants have shown measurable...

www.excelmale.com

 

[lobsterman]

Thank you for responding Sammmy, much appreciated.

RE: Sammmy "What kind of a diet are you on?"

I eat healthy whole foods but I add in way too much deserts (cake, wine gummies, milk chocolate, ***** bears, etc.) and bread, our local bakery is just too good. I know what I need to do, last twelve years I have been making bad nutritional choices.

I have a lot of muscle mass + a lot of fat. Went from a 33 year old 180lbs at 9% bodybuilder on a strict very low carb/high protein & fibrous vegetable diet to a 255lbs eat everything powerlifter and then covid hit and I could not longer do the heavy lifting and got way off track. I'm down to 235lbs. Urologist had said the Creatinine levels were likely due to the amount of muscle mass and high protein diet. I have not taken any creatine supplement in more than 20 years.

I am in Canada and they make HRT very challenging for men to obtain from your M.D. They decrease the low end cut off range every decade (Alright, this is the new normal range). In the past the College of Physicians' & Surgeons & Health Canada made it very difficult for M.D.s to prescribe HRT but things are slowly changing.

Thank you everyone,
Lobsterman

 

[tareload]

All the time and effort I have spent on this!

CDC!

Direct Measurements of Free Hormones Using Mass Spectrometry-Based Methods

Only at Excel, are we gonna take you deep! Clinical Utility and Analytical Aspects of Direct Measurements of Free Hormones Using Mass Spectrometry-Based Methods (2022) Mark M. Kushnir, Heather A. Nelson, and Kelly Doyle Background The free hormone (FH) hypothesis states that hormone...

www.excelmale.com

CDC STANDARDIZED TOTAL T and ESTRADIOL ASSAYS and soon to be FREE TESTOSTERONE!

How the CDC Clinical Standardization Programs Are Improving Hormone Tests - AACC.org WHAT PROGRESS HAS CDC MADE WITH STANDARDIZING TOTAL TESTOSTERONE AND ESTRADIOL TESTS? Since HoSt began in 2010, CDC has had more than 350 participants in 15 countries. Participants have shown measurable...

www.excelmale.com

You never gave me a like on these posts.

Calculate Free Testosterone with TruT by FPT

The idea of SHBG as a sponge that sucks up large amounts of testosterone and leaves your free T low doesn't seem to be how it really works. The way I understand it, high SHBG makes your meager production (revealed by the free T) look like it's normal or even high when it isn't. The SHBG is...

www.excelmale.com

136, 137, 138

Where is the love @madman ? How am I supposed to get my like count up if you don't like my posts?


Calculate free testosterone with TruT by FPT

No point comparing FT results to the ranges given by Labcorp and Quest (especially). The absolute FT values given by each lab are pretty close as shown above.

Unfortunately this could get posted another million times. Perpetual confusion and misinformation will reign.

 

[tareload]

Testing at Quest Diagnostics you can land you at the top end of the ranges, at LabCorp, the same sample of blood gets you midrange. The Free T testing at this time is poorly defined, and therefore Free T testing is problematic to which the CDC is attempting to address.

Nah. FT results should not be compared with the ranges (especually the Quest range when you understand where it came from. Compare with reasonable cFTV range of 10 to 25 ng/dl if you are generous.