Hormones
Free Testosterone
Unit: pg/mLID: H002
What This Test Measures
Bioavailable testosterone; not bound to SHBG
Conventional vs. Functional Optimal Range
Conventional "Normal"
9-30 (men), 0.3-1.9 (women) pg/mLYour doctor says you're "fine" anywhere in this range
Functional Optimal
15-25 (men), 0.8-1.5 (women) pg/mLThis is where you actually feel great
The gap between these ranges is why you feel terrible with "normal" labs. Conventional medicine waits for disease. Functional medicine optimizes for health.
Gabriel's Take
Free Testosterone is what's actually AVAILABLE to tissues. Can have normal Total T but low Free T if SHBG is high. Functional optimal: upper third of range. Free T reflects true androgen status better than Total T.
When This Test Is High
High: steroid use, tumor; Low: hypogonadism, high SHBG
When This Test Is Low
Low libido, fatigue, muscle loss
Related Conditions
Hypogonadism, metabolic syndrome
Recommended Follow-Up
If low, check SHBG, LH/FSH; address root cause or consider TRT