Is my free T too low? High SHBG

[akanep16]

26 y/o male on enclomiphene 6mg every day. I feel like my free T always looks low compared to total. Would using test fix these issues? Also wondering if that SHBG looks too high

Total test 857 ng/dl
Free T 75.4 pg/ml
Bio available 151 ng/dl
SHBG 59 nmol/L

 

[Systemlord]

I feel like my free T always looks low compared to total. Would using test fix these issues? Also wondering if that SHBG looks too high

Enclomiphene increases SHBG. TRT is likely to fix the high SHBG since androgens suppress SHBG.

 

[Cataceous]

Your Vermeulen calculated free testosterone is 13.4 ng/dL. This is healthy and I'd strongly advise against starting TRT with a level like this. The problems with TRT are frequently glossed over. When starting from normal levels the risks will usually outweigh possible benefits. TRT disrupts 20+ other hormones, which can result in significant side effects. A safer way to experience higher testosterone is to use a nasal gel, such as Natesto. These products leave your own testosterone production largely intact, and have less effect on other hormones.

 

[FunkOdyssey]

26 y/o male on enclomiphene 6mg every day. I feel like my free T always looks low compared to total. Would using test fix these issues? Also wondering if that SHBG looks too high

Total test 857 ng/dl
Free T 75.4 pg/ml
Bio available 151 ng/dl
SHBG 59 nmol/L

Do you still have symptoms of hypogonadism? Using testosterone would increase your Free T to whatever value you'd like it to be. The question is whether that would be worthwhile, and it depends on your symptoms or lack thereof.

 

[akanep16]

Your Vermeulen calculated free testosterone is 13.4 ng/dL. This is healthy and I'd strongly advise against starting TRT with a level like this. The problems with TRT are frequently glossed over. When starting from normal levels the risks will usually outweigh possible benefits. TRT disrupts 20+ other hormones, which can result in significant side effects. A safer way to experience higher testosterone is to use a nasal gel, such as Natesto. These products leave your own testosterone production largely intact, and have less effect on other hormones.

I noticed my calculated free is different than what they put in this lab test. Is calculated what I should go off of VS this equilibrium dialysis number?

 

[akanep16]

Do you still have symptoms of hypogonadism? Using testosterone would increase your Free T to whatever value you'd like it to be. The question is whether that would be worthwhile, and it depends on your symptoms or lack thereof.

Everything seems ok except for I feel like I don’t put on muscle or lose fat at a good rate. Seems to always hold on around my waist despite dieting. Looked into hormones to see if that has any play in my issues, if maybe I’m not at optimal levels. I have felt more energetic since starting the enclo though

 

[Systemlord]

I have felt more energetic since starting the enclo though

That's a sign your hormone levels weren't optimal. Numbers alone don't tell you much and anyone trying to compare yourself to everyone else is just a flawed approach.

Everyone has their own ideal normal range.

Seems to always hold on around my waist despite dieting.

The term dieting has a stigma attached to it, it suggests restricting food intake, starving yourself to lose weight is also deeply flawed! Instead eat the right foods, to where you can eat until your full without consequence.

For instance, keto/carnivore.

 

[Cataceous]

I noticed my calculated free is different than what they put in this lab test. Is calculated what I should go off of VS this equilibrium dialysis number?

That Quest free T number above is also a calculated value, not a result of equilibrium dialysis. Their calculation differs from the standard Vermeulen formula. The Vermeulen method is well studied and in my opinion is second only to properly performed equilibrium dialysis or ultrafiltration tests.