i was reading Dr. shippens book and he was saying that for some in there teens and twentys the average was between 800-1200 dl levels of testosteroine mine was mesured at 635 which i was told was normal. even though i was 21
This is an area where Shippen’s book is showing its age.
He was referring to total testosterone, but the fact of the matter is total testosterone should not be viewed in isolation, it isa key to view other hormones to get a better idea of matters.
Free testosterone is superior to total testosterone and a better idea of what is working in the body.
Failing that testosterone should be viewed in the context of SHBG, which alters the free testosterone level.
Estradiol should also be viewed in the context of free testosterone and independently as it can cause its own set of woes.
DHT or dihydrotestosterone also needs to be considered, particularly in the context of finasteride given its mechanism of action.
That and the ranges given by several labs is different. Some labs don’t even go up to 1200. I typically see the range as 240-847 or something like that.
It should reference what percentage of the range patients should be in.
rockin813 wrote:
It should reference what percentage of the range patients should be in.
You make a good point but also…
To be fair over reliance on the reference ranges is a serious problem.
I could write an entire chapter on the problems that are encountered by relying solely or too much on reference ranges, of the problems with treating or not treating on the basis of blood results alone…and that is irrespective of which assay you care to mention.
What is the most accepted reference range for free testosterone? In two differents labs that i measured i saw two different ranges in pg/ml: 18,0 - 36,0 and 8,8 - 36,0.