Free vs Total Testosterone?

[Cheerr]

Hi everyone,

I want dad to get a testosterone test done. Just to check his levels are low enough. Which test is recommended for Pca patients - Total or Free.

[LearnAll]

Free gives you more accurate reading. But for all practical purposes, total T is good enough. Free T is calculated from Total T and Globulin. It is usually 1.5 to 2 % of total T.

[pjoshea13 in reply to LearnAll]

In Dr. Myers view, DHT is more important than either. Some men produce DHT via a pathway that does not depend on T, so one cannot infer castrate DHT from castrate T.

freeT is better than total T, but the latter is "good enough for government work" unless one is an outlier.

-Patrick

[Cheerr in reply to pjoshea13]

Thank you, I get a better understanding on why they’re two different tests now.

[Jbooml in reply to pjoshea13]

So two years into ADT Eligard/abi/progesterone I classify myself as a chemical eunuch...I’m not unhappy but do sometime yearn my masculinity lost..but that’s not why I am writing. Can DHT or other steroids contribute to my ceaseless facial hair growth...If I’m going to a full time castrate card carrying club member can I not be fully benefitted?

Comments welcome

[pjoshea13 in reply to Jbooml]

Dr. Myers suddenly sported a beard in his vlog posts & mentioned that he had been unable to grow one while on ADT.

My leg hair has completely disappeared, yet my beard remains. Perhaps the rate of growth has slowed, but the hair hasn't become finer. Maybe we should have our free-T checked?

-Patrick

[Cheerr in reply to LearnAll]

Thank you. I understand now that total T is what one would usually need for regular checkup.

[Hidden in reply to LearnAll]

I use this online calculator for freeT from totalT, Albumin and SHBG.

issam.ch/freetesto.htm

There is also an empirical formula that gives close results.

My freeT/totalT is 0.7-0.9% mainly because I have abnormally -for age- totalT (1000-1100).

[depotdoug in reply to Hidden]

Why so large total T?

[Hidden in reply to depotdoug]

Wish I knew. It was 870 before starting taking suplements and gradually climbed to 1140. I suspected Berberine and stopped it for 10 days before my latest bloodwork but didn't see any reduction.

[depotdoug in reply to Hidden]

Thought Test osterone was supposed to be low or lowest that could be measured during ADT.?

[Hidden in reply to depotdoug]

I am not on ADT!

[jdm3 in reply to Hidden]

Are you taking an aromatase inhibitor? That can increase T.

[Hidden in reply to jdm3]

No. I take Avodart, a 5a reductase inhibitor that I fear may be having an effect on T production. I tried once to stop it 10 days before blood test but, as expected, didn't make any change. It takes Avodart 50 or so days to clear off.

[Tall_Allen]

The data on castration effectiveness is based on total. If total is castration level or less, free will certainly be low enough.

[Cheerr in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thank you.

[Hidden in reply to Cheerr]

Hey good Cheerrs to you . I’ve had 3 -T for over five years now . Its charming in many ways ? .. T is what drove ..us before . Now I’m in touch with my feminine side. Not all bad . I’m more compassionate than ever before . I cry when I see suffering or injustice in the world . There is that ? I dream of that day when I could drop adt and take high t shots.. without balls it would be the only way I’ll ever see t again .

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

If there was a way I could send you some excess T of mine.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hahaha😂 hold on to your own .. but many thanks . I’m just signing to to choir.

[depotdoug in reply to Hidden]

T shots wish I could have those. But that’s a No No right.

[Hidden in reply to depotdoug]

See pjoshea13 Many post on this . ? He knows much . My mo won’t go for this. No one wants to rock the boat . I Hope that by the time my boat springs more leaks that this t therapy might be accepted better than it is today ? . I don’t have the funds to Pursue private experts in this. The fear is for us that the t will feed the pc ?? I’m no expert .. 😂 Happy labor day to you.! .

[depotdoug in reply to Hidden]

I won’t labor too much on Monday. But what the heck or why not. Prednisone high helps.

[Hidden in reply to depotdoug]

😂 I’ve yet to try Prednisone. Dad took that over20 yrs ago. It made him a little jumpy my mom

Said. She made him jumpy too . A bad combo for pops.

[addicted2cycling in reply to depotdoug]

depotdoug wrote >>> "T shots wish I could have those. But that’s a No No right."

Whimpy-p wrote >>> "... No one wants to rock the boat . I Hope that by the time my boat springs more leaks that this t therapy might be accepted better than it is today ? .................. The fear is for us that the t will feed the pc ??..... "

Got my boat rocking (Gleason 10) + taking on water(bi-weekly "T" injections) and since I ain't getting younger or will get out alive, I'll let the chips fall where they may and enjoy.

[thevvy in reply to Hidden]

Hey Whimpy ... How the Hell are ya cobber ..... not much hope for me ... total T is 0.01 and free T is 0.0. Doc tells me I have breast tissue and should get checked for breast cancer every coupla years ... not sure if he is pullin' me leg or what ... but my daughter calls me her "other Mum" ... life is "different" to say the least ...lol

[j-o-h-n in reply to thevvy]

I had to take a mammogram.... son of a bitch... it hurts....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 09/06/2020 3:28 PM DST

[Hidden]

Since 2003, I have had both done! Each has a purpose....... the that most pay attention to is Total. How many have I had? A little over 130 along with PSA where I also have a Free and Total done.

GD

[sewmom]

is there a way to paste image in our reply? found good chart.