Hello Chris
Thank you for posting your details
First, 1398ng/dl is not too high. The Labcorp references ranges are conservative. I have healthy men with no prior TRT/AAS use with total T in the high 1300s. Individual men respond differently to different levels within the upper normal range. For some, 1200ng-1300 might be too high and cause side effects, while other men feel best at this level with zero side effects. All depends on genetics and hormone metabolism. 5 hours after applying the T gel would catch you on the higher end of your peak, testing the morning of (prior to admin. your daily dose) would find the number a bit lower. Although you do not want your T levels over 1300ng, if you feel good, are experiencing no side effects, and blood markers are in order than I would not worry.
As for it being a false high, it can happen in labs. This is one reason a good doctor never goes off a single blood test but usually observes blood over a period of time, follow ups, etc. In this case it may not be a false high since 1300ng is a physiological level. Your phlebotomist appeared to follow your instruction on where to draw which mitigated contamination.
You can always draw T F&T again just to be sure it was not a lab error.
