You’ve gotten your hormone lab results back and you’re staring at a page full of numbers, ranges, and abbreviations that may as well be a foreign language. You’re not alone — interpreting hormone panels is genuinely complex, and “normal” reference ranges on lab reports can be misleading. At MultiGen Wellness, we believe educated patients make better health decisions, so here’s a practical guide to understanding the most important markers on a hormone panel.
Total Testosterone
Measured in ng/dL (nanograms per deciliter), total testosterone is the sum of bound and free testosterone in your blood. Lab reference ranges typically show 300–1000 ng/dL as “normal” for adult men — but this range represents the statistical distribution of all men tested, not necessarily what’s optimal. A 35-year-old man at 310 ng/dL is technically “normal” by lab standards but is operating at the low end of a range that spans 25-year-olds to 75-year-olds. Symptoms matter as much as numbers; many men don’t feel optimal below 500–600 ng/dL.
Free Testosterone
Only 2–3% of total testosterone circulates as “free” (unbound) testosterone — the fraction actually available to enter cells and exert biological effects. The rest is bound to SHBG (60–70%) or albumin (30–40%). A man with total testosterone of 700 ng/dL but very high SHBG might have less biologically active testosterone than a man with 500 ng/dL and low SHBG. Free testosterone is reported as pg/mL or as a percentage of total testosterone.
SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin)
SHBG increases with age, estrogen exposure, hyperthyroidism, and liver disease. High SHBG binds up more testosterone, leaving less free. Low SHBG (often from insulin resistance or obesity) sounds advantageous but reflects underlying metabolic dysfunction. Optimal SHBG range for men on TRT is typically 20–40 nmol/L.
Estradiol (E2)
Estradiol in men is measured in pg/mL. An optimal range for men is generally 20–40 pg/mL. Below 20 pg/mL, men may experience joint pain, depression, cognitive impairment, and bone loss. Above 50–60 pg/mL, symptoms include water retention, mood swings, gynecomastia, and reduced libido.
LH and FSH
Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) are pituitary signals to the testes. In primary hypogonadism (testicular failure), LH and FSH are high (the pituitary is screaming for more testosterone). In secondary hypogonadism (hypothalamic or pituitary problem), LH and FSH are low or inappropriately normal. This distinction guides treatment decisions.
Now Serving Pearland, TX
MultiGen Wellness brings this same hormone testing and lab review care to patients throughout Pearland and the surrounding TX area. Through our online platform, Pearland residents can complete lab work locally, meet with a licensed physician by telehealth, and start a personalized treatment plan without ever visiting an office in person.
Want an expert physician to interpret your hormone labs? Call (800) 259-0015 or book your free consultation with MultiGen Wellness today — we’ll walk through your results together.