Definition
What Free Testosterone measures
Free testosterone is the small unbound fraction of testosterone not attached to SHBG or albumin. It is the portion immediately available to act on tissues.
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HormonesEssentialCompletepg/mL
Free Testosterone
The unbound androgen available to tissues
Illustrative sample band · Synthetic
6.8pg/mL
3Sample target 9–25 pg/mL27
Why it matters
How clinicians usually read it
When SHBG runs high or low, total testosterone can mislead; the free value tells you what is actually available, which often matches symptoms better.
When it reads low
A lower value can mean
A low free value with a normal total often means SHBG is binding more than usual — thyroid status, age, and some medications raise SHBG. Symptoms guide whether it matters.
When it reads high
A higher value can mean
A high free value can accompany a low SHBG — common with insulin resistance — or exogenous androgens. The pair is read together, never alone.
Questions for a clinician
Bring the number into a real conversation
01
Does my SHBG explain any gap between total and free testosterone?
02
Was this measured or calculated, and how consistent is the method?
03
Which of my symptoms, if any, track with the free value?
Educational boundary
Educational information only. Displayed ranges are illustrative sample bands, not a diagnosis, treatment plan, or substitute for the contracted laboratory report and a qualified clinician.
See it as a sample result
The sample dashboard shows an illustrative reading, target band, and trend for Free Testosterone.