Free Testosterone %

[Rhino 2.0]

Does anybody know what causes you're free testosterone to be less than 2 percent of you're total? I have decent total testosterone in the 600-700's and I'm completely natural and not on TRT. Unfortunately my free testosterone has always been measured on the lower end of normal. My levels were 73.5 and 77 with a range of 46-224. My SHBG on the other hand always seems to be on the high end of normal for me. It always seems to be anywhere between 40-45. Range is from 10-50. I am trying to do everything possible to raise my free test naturally. Is there any good tricks to make you're testosterone more bioavailable to sue my you're bodies tissues? I am taking a crap load of vitamin D and I am also taking stinging nettle to free up some of my testosterone. I really don't feel much of a difference. This sucks because I want to lose some fat and build muscle and it seems nearly unreachable and I think it has something to do with my testosterone levels.

 

[Deleted member 16042]

High SHBG for one.

I had very modest gains for part of the time I was trying natural means to raise T. I was doing everything I could:
-balanced super healthy clean diet tracked calories and macros to be sure I was well fueled.
-Eliminated estrogenic foods
-Became OCD about avoiding plastics, endocrine disruptors in soaps, shampoo, home cleaning products, etc (still am)
-supplemented zinc, magnesium, D3, multi,
-Worked out hard (for me), HIIT and high weight low rep, 2-3 days a week and all other days forcedmyself to really rest as to not overtrain. Just went for walks on rest days
-Took up meditation and saw a shrink to help decrease stress and learn better how to process things
-Tried things like Tongkat ali and pine pollen tincture with little to no effect

I had a minor bump in T levels for a short while, but like you still had low Free T. Then it all went to hell. But I had other factors than you and I'm 59 years old. Bit the bullet and started T replacement. Hasn't gone very well, but somewhat better now, and I am hopeful to reach a balance with it.

I have read most of your posts. It seems like your problem may or may not be from Testosterone and you are kind of grasping at straws. Have you actually consulted with a hormone specialist?

 

[Rhino 2.0]

Not yet but I am thinking about going to one soon. By hormone specialist do you mean an endocrinologist? If so I've seen an endo already and he said my test levels are normal and there is nothing he can do.

 

[FOX1]

Does anybody know what causes you're free testosterone to be less than 2 percent of you're total? I have decent total testosterone in the 600-700's and I'm completely natural and not on TRT. Unfortunately my free testosterone has always been measured on the lower end of normal. My levels were 73.5 and 77 with a range of 46-224. My SHBG on the other hand always seems to be on the high end of normal for me. It always seems to be anywhere between 40-45. Range is from 10-50. I am trying to do everything possible to raise my free test naturally. Is there any good tricks to make you're testosterone more bioavailable to sue my you're bodies tissues? I am taking a crap load of vitamin D and I am also taking stinging nettle to free up some of my testosterone. I really don't feel much of a difference. This sucks because I want to lose some fat and build muscle and it seems nearly unreachable and I think it has something to do with my testosterone levels.

The reason I was put on TRT was Low "Free & Bio Testosterone" which in turn over the years caused Osteopinia.

TRT has raised my total testosterone and in turn raised my "Free Testosterone"

Further to this, last month I continued on same dosage which was two sachets Testo-Gel, but each day before applying I shaved my body parts in shower where I apply it - shoulders, upper arms, chest & hips, I then applied as normal each morning. 2 hours later I then applied moisturiser as advised on here.
.

My total testosterone shot up from the normal 28 - 32 nmol/L (8.4 - 28.7) and increased to 42.8 nmol/L

42.8nmol/L = 1236ng/dl
.

at the same time my Albumin stayed the same at 43g/L
.
my SHBG dropped from an average of 70 down to 50
.
My free Testosterone was 2%
Bio Testosterone 45.6%
.
I was advised to lower my daily application of 2 sachets per day to 1.5 sachets per day.
when I explained what I had done, shaving and then after 2 hours rubbing im moisturiser on a daily basis, it was agreed that I would continue on 2 sachets per day but no longer shave and no longer add moisturiser (which did become a pain) I will find out next month if my total testosterone is back to 30nmol/L (866ng/dl) rather than 42.8nmol/L (1236ng/dl)
.
I have been on TRT for 1.5 years now and also Accrete D3 (high vit D)
prior to going on TRT I used to bench Olympic bar plus 25kg each side 3 sets of 10 and then go through 3 or 4 days of recovery pain
.
Now in the gym since starting TRT, I am benching Olympic bar + 50kg each side (2 x 25kg disc each side) 4 x 10 reps as well as incline press 3x 10 reps and 3 x 10 flys with no or very little recovery pain, no more than one day if a very heavy work out. This includes all body parts, squats etc
.
I will not be able to find out how well my bones are "growing" until early next year as you only get a DEXA (bone) scan every 2 years but I suspect I will no longer have Osteopinia and my bones will be thickening. Again this will not be known until early next year.
.
With me; it appears my "Free testosterone" rises with the rise of my "Total Testosterone" and in turn my SHGB lowers, my Albumin stays the same, my Estradiol has lowered 200 down to 151pmol/L (41.4 - 159) as has my HCT 0.472 (0.40 - 0.52)
.
my PSA initially rose on starting TRT up to 2.2ug/L and has dropped back down and settled at 1.1ug/L
.
With regards to my Free Testosterone and SHGB, the results I have shown they are only for me and how my body works, it may be different for others but my Free & Bio does rise as my Total Testosterone rises.
.
I have found very little info on free & bio testosterone so only going by my own experimentation.

 

[captain]

If you want your bones to be healthy you may want to take some Boron 3-6mg and I recall there is some effect on SHBG. Boron also helps joint pain and stiffness. Make sure your getting your Vitamin K.

 

[Deleted member 16042]

Not yet but I am thinking about going to one soon. By hormone specialist do you mean an endocrinologist? If so I've seen an endo already and he said my test levels are normal and there is nothing he can do.

No I mean someone like Defy, Dr Chrisler, Prime Body, Allison woodworth...

 

[FeelingLost]

I will suggest getting your E2 as low as possible by:
eating the natural AI's everyday; cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts, collard greens, savoy, kohlrabi, and gai lan.
No plastic bowls or plastic wrap in the microwave. Get smart on BPA, and Xenoestrogens.

Supplements known to lower E2: Zinc 30mg, Mag 200mg, boron, grape seed extract, DIM (DIM will not replace eating the veggies above remember they are supplements not replacements)

Lose as much body fat as you can esp your stomach it is a E2 monster making machine.
Get your cholesterol in check. If you don't know you A1c, lipids get a cheap blood test at discountlabs

To boost T make sure you are eating enough good protein (no McD's) eating 1.2 to 2 grams of dietary protein per kilogram
(or about 0.5 to 0.9 grams per pound) of body weight each day. Steak, chicken breast and use Whey to get you to your number.

My last suggestion... time.
You have to give all this time to work, none of it works over night, it take months to see and feel results from your harmones.
Something all millennials have problems with. No I take that back something all men have a problem with. good luck