Pre-cycle blood test result - low test ?

[yuppyguitar]

Today I received the results of the blood test I took to establish a baseline before I begin my anavar cycle.

The doc said everything was normal. I did some more checking and discovered something a bit shocking to me.

Total test - 649ng/dl
Free test - 8.7pg/ml

If I'm reading correctly, my free test is the same level as a 55 year old. I'm 28! I've never done a cycle before. When I read more about it, I feel like I may have some of the symptoms of low test, but then again I could be talking myself into it. I'd like to know that somehow I've misinterpreted the results. I live in a non english speaking country unfortunately, so getting clear communication isn't possible. I'm also coming off 3 months of stric cyclic ketogenic dieting, but if anything I've read that increases endogenous levels due to the high saturated fat levels. Anyways, any experts please help. Should I go ahead with the cycle regardless?

 

[stevesmi]

whats the reference range?

totally depends on the lab, find that out.

if your total test is that high than your free test should be fine as well .. they usually correlate closely, meaning if total is within range than free test will be as well.

you can always boost your free test naturally and with no suppression with unleashed

 

[Zyglamail]

Most likely have a high SHBG binding up test resulting in a low free number. Serum test looks good.

 

[yuppyguitar]

I can't post links. If you google men's hormonal health its the second link.

My understanding is that bound test is inert, so total test is a fairly useless metric if you want to know how much test is having an effect on your body. Its more just to see if your body is manufacturing test levels at a normal rate. Most articles are saying that free test is what enters cells and binds to androgen receptors, resulting in the androgenic/anabolic effects that we all appreciate on cycles.

I'm asking the lab what the normal range should be.

 

[stevesmi]

^^^^ right but i've never seen a situation where free test and total test weren't in conjunction. in other words. if your total test is normal range, your free test should be in normal range. yes techniqually its possible someone can have low free test and normal total test, but i have never seen a blood test that showed that especially considering someone who has never juiced before. i think you are fine

 

[Zyglamail]

^^^^ right but i've never seen a situation where free test and total test weren't in conjunction. in other words. if your total test is normal range, your free test should be in normal range. yes techniqually its possible someone can have low free test and normal total test, but i have never seen a blood test that showed that especially considering someone who has never juiced before. i think you are fine

Its actually not unheard of in older guys, there is a small percentage who dont respond to TRT because they have high SHBG so even high TRT doses just never give them the desired response cause so much of it is bound up.

OP, did he test your E levels, SHBG or anything else? Whats your approx BF%?

 

[yuppyguitar]

As far as hormones go, only the two I mentioned were tested. Bf is around 13%, down from maybe 30% 3 months back before I started this cyclic keto diet.

I've been on a consistent diet of steak, fish oil, coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, ALA, multi vit Mon-Fri and healthy carbs,prot,fat on Sat/Sun.

Did some googling and found a guy who had high total test and low free test. Apparently high SHBG in younger males is usually a symptom of another issue, like a some other hormone being out of whack.

Still waiting to hear back from the lab. It sounds like they want me to book their urologist to talk about the result. Was actually hoping to get a reference range on the test rather than take another half day off work to see some guy with a degree for 5 minutes.