Can someone help me understand these two "Free T" results?

[newguy2]

I got tested at Maximus pre-trt. And recently with labcorp six weeks into trt.

I understand that there are different measurements used, ie ng/dL vs pg/mL

But on these two tests they are measured the same way. But each results shows a radically different range. The new result says I am like double the normal range. The baseline result says that same number would have me in the lower than 50% percentile. Can someone make it make sense?

 

[buck]

Reference ranges differ from lab to lab that is just how it is. labs use different machines and are calibrated different the exact number does not matter as much as where a person is at compared to the range. In general the top 2.5% and bottom 2.5% of those tested are thrown out and the 95% in the middle is what is considered "normal".

Why Do Blood Test Results Vary? | Imaware.

Reference ranges for blood tests - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[newguy2]

Reference ranges differ from lab to lab that is just how it is. labs use different machines and are calibrated different the exact number does not matter as much as where a person is at compared to the range. In general the top 2.5% and bottom 2.5% of those tested are thrown out and the 95% in the middle is what is considered "normal".

Why Do Blood Test Results Vary? | Imaware.

Reference ranges for blood tests - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Thanks that makes sense. I guess it is the nature of how they calculate free test. Total T seems to have a much more consistent accepted range (at least in the states.)

Still waiting on that result.

 

[buck]

Thanks that makes sense. I guess it is the nature of how they calculate free test. Total T seems to have a much more consistent accepted range (at least in the states.)

Still waiting on that result.

2 of the top 2 labs differ in what they call the top of the range by almost 200 points.
Quest goes from 250-1100 and LabCorp is 264- 916

 

[newguy2]

2 of the top 2 labs differ in what they call the top of the range by almost 200 points.
Quest goes from 250-1100 and LabCorp is 264- 916

I get that, but it is still reasonably the same scale. The two I posted are dramatically different.

 

[BigDadd7]

The first test is free testosterone, the other is free plus total

 

[newguy2]

The first test is free testosterone, the other is free plus total

I don't understand.

 

[BigDadd7]

...

 

[buck]

Total testosterone refers to the entire amount of testosterone circulating in your blood, both bound and unbound.
Generally, free testosterone makes up about 2% to 3% of total testosterone.

Understanding total testosterone vs. free testosterone

www.ondemand.labcorp.com

 

[newguy2]

Thanks gents.

 

[HUGE McBIGLARGE]

To be honest, free testosterone doesn’t really mean much. CAG repeat lengths on androgen receptor genes have more variability between people than serum androgens. And the subsequent androgen sensitivity determines androgenicity more than any level of testosterone within the eugonadal range.

Basically, your genetics matter more. This is why black people are more androgenic than white people, even though serum free testosterone doesn’t differ much.

The fact that doctors don’t consider this when considering prescribing TRT pisses me off.