Considering TRT - just got blood test results

[Mike9876]

I'm a newbie so please bear with me. I'm a 45 yo male and I've been looking into TRT for a few weeks now. In my country TRT is only possible for men who have Test levels that are very low for their age. So I will have to do it myself without a doctor. I have learnt a lot in the past few weeks. I got a blood test done yesterday and just got the results this morning. I would like some advice regarding the numbers. Here are the results:

Your total testosterone levels are normal, however your free testosterone levels are low. Testosterone decline is a normal process beginning at age 30 to 40, at a rate of approximately 1% per year. If the level decreases faster, men can experience andropause. Andropause encompasses a wide range of health effects including low libido, hair loss, depression and other mood changes, as well as bone loss, decreases in strength, physical agility, energy and memory.
Your FSH levels are elevated - FSH and LH levels typically rise with increasing age, and typically goes hand in hand with a decline in testosterone levels.


Testosterone 8.4 nmol/L

Testosterone is an anabolic hormone responsible for bone and muscle strength, as well as mood, energy and sexual function.
results history

8.4
​

Free Testosterone 191.5 pmol/L

Most testosterone is strongly bound to sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). This test measures the proportion of unbound testosterone which is available to the body's tissues.
results history

191.5
​

Oestradiol 97 pmol/L

The principle active form of oestrogen in the body which has roles in gynecomastia, water/fat retention and hormone balance.
results history

97
​

FSH 9 IU/L

Levels of follicle stimulating hormone in men rise with age, but can also indicate testicular damage and reduced sperm production. Low levels of FSH are detected when men are not producing sperm.
results history

9

​

LH 4.4 IU/L

Luteinising hormone is responsible for stimulating testosterone production and sperm generation. Raised LH can signal that the testes are not producing enough testosterone and is relevant when evaluating hypogonadism.
results history

4.4

​

SHBG 20 nmol/L

Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) is a protein that binds tightly to testosterone and oestradiol. Changes in SHBG levels can affect the amount of hormone that is available to be used by the body's tissues.
results history

20
​

I'm not sure if I copied and pasted that correctly, hopefully it shows up ok. So my question is, how do these numbers look?

 

[DragonBits]

I would have to guess because you need to put the reference range along side of the actual number. Each lab company can have a different reference range.

But if I used labcorp reference range, you would have a typical case of low Testosterone.

 

[Mike9876]

Thanks so much for the reply. I just had another look at the results and there doesn't seem to be a reference range listed.

 

[DragonBits]

Thanks so much for the reply. I just had another look at the results and there doesn't seem to be a reference range listed.

Often if you get a blood test from a doctor or clinic, the lab will send them the report and it will get transcribed onto the doctors reporting system. You then see what the doctors system is designed to show you. So in affect, you never see the original lab report as it comes from the lab. For instance, I had an urologist do a blood test, I see the report from his patient portal, but I also sign onto the labcorp website and see the original labcorp lab report. In this case they have the same info but the labcorp looks more technical and the urologist does not mention what lab did the test. I have seen where the doctors report left off things like a range when I know it had to have been on the original report or even the values were left blank. I complained about it and they put it on the report.


Another oddity in the USA, with labcorp if a doctor orders the report, they will send the doctor the report first and only let you see their report ~3 business days later.


I don't know how things work in your country, but here if I know what lab did the report I can go directly to the lab and request a copy.

 

[Mike9876]

Thanks very much for that info. I didn't get the blood test done through a doctor. It was from this place I found it on the internet.

You just go get the blood taken and then a day or so later you get the results. Should I ask them for the ranges? In any case, the results said my free test was low. Would people reading this agree that TRT would be beneficial for me?

 

[Mike9876]

Ok so it turns out the reference ranges were on there, I just didn't realise what they were. So here they are:

Testosterone 8.3-29
Free Test 255-725
Oestradiol 50-150
FSH 1-7
LH 1-7
SHBG 11-71