Total Testosterone
What This Test Measures
Total testosterone (bound + unbound)
Conventional vs. Functional Optimal Range
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
Total T of 350 ng/dL is "normal" for men but below Gabriel's optimal band of 600-900. Low-normal levels can come with fatigue, low libido and muscle loss. Conventional medicine treats below about 300 with symptoms on repeat morning tests. For women, the optimal band is 20-55 ng/dL in the reproductive years, and levels fall after menopause. An optimal band is a root-cause signal, not on its own a reason to start testosterone.
When This Test Is High
High: steroid use, adrenal tumor; Low: hypogonadism, aging
When This Test Is Low
Low libido, fatigue, muscle loss, depression
Related Conditions
Low T: metabolic syndrome, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease
Recommended Follow-Up
Check Free Testosterone, SHBG; if low, evaluate cause (primary vs secondary hypogonadism)