Making Sense of the Numbers
Getting a copy of your hormone labs can feel overwhelming — pages of values, reference ranges, and abbreviations. While your provider should always interpret your results in context, understanding the key markers helps you have a more informed conversation about your care.
Total and Free Testosterone
Total testosterone measures all the testosterone in your blood, while free testosterone reflects the portion actually available to your tissues. A man can have a normal total level but low free testosterone, which is why both matter. Free testosterone often correlates more closely with symptoms.
SHBG and Estradiol
Sex hormone binding globulin, or SHBG, binds testosterone and reduces how much is free. When SHBG is high, less testosterone is available even if total levels look adequate. Estradiol, a form of estrogen, is important in both men and women; balance matters, since levels that are too high or too low can cause symptoms.
Beyond the Sex Hormones
Comprehensive panels also include markers like complete blood count, thyroid function, and metabolic values such as fasting glucose and lipids. These provide safety information and reveal other factors that may be contributing to how you feel.
Context Is Everything
Reference ranges describe a broad population, not what is optimal for you. Two people with identical numbers can feel very differently. That is why hormone care should always combine lab data with your symptoms and goals. MultiGen Wellness provides physician-led interpretation and hormone therapy online in all 50 states. Book a free consultation to review where you stand.
Educational information only; always review your labs with a qualified provider.
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