As shown in the figure above, about 2 percent of the testosterone in the body is active. This “free testosterone” is not attached to binding proteins that would prevent it from interacting with its receptor.
About 40 percent of the body’s testosterone is attached to albumin. This is a protein that can release the hormone as the need for it arises in the body. Free testosterone and testosterone attached to albumin are referred to as “bioavailable testosterone”.
In a healthy young male, about 60 percent of his testosterone is attached to sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). Hormones bound to SHBG can’t be used by the body and lose their anabolic effect. As males grow older or if illness is present, SHBG sweeps up more and more testosterone, lowering free testosterone and its benefits.
Total testosterone is the sum of bioavailable testosterone and testosterone bound to SHBG. Measuring just the total testosterone in the blood may not provide the whole picture and let you know how much “active” or usable testosterone you have.
This is a great summary article written by Lee Meyer, a man I respect greatly due to his ability to write clearly about testosterone and men’s health issues. In this article, he lists approaches for lowering sex hormone binding globulin and increase free testosterone:
Recent Posts
Water Retention Caused by Anabolics and Testosterone
I think Patrick Arnold makes a great point about a potential mechanism for edema that has nothing to do with elevated estradiol.
People familiar with...
Factors that Can Improve Testosterone Gel Absorption
Most absorption of testosterone in testosterone gels happens during the first 4 hours. The 1.62 % Androgel package insert says this about showering after...
Is HRT for Menopause Staging a Comeback?
"A recent meta-study, which found that menopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) causes significant numbers of ovarian cancers, is highly misleading, say several hormone researchers.Furthermore,...
ExcelMale Testosterone Replacement Videos
Here you will find videos on testosterone, nutrition, exercise, supplements and much more:
1.
All You Need to Know About Testosterone- From a...by ExcelMale
2.
Los secretos...
Video Lecture: hCG Use in Men- Review of Studies by Nelson Vergel
Nelson Vergel, co-founder of ClinicOptimizers.com, founder of ExcelMale.com and DiscountedLabs.com, and author of the book "Testosterone: A Man's Guide", reviews current data on the...