What exactly is Free Testosterone?
Testosterone within the blood has only two types:
· Bound Testosterone: This type of testosterone has a majority of itself bound to different proteins in your body and blood such as SHBG (Sex Hormone-binding Globulin) and albumin.
· Free Testosterone: A very small amount of unbound testosterone can be called active and free with just 1 – 3% of the hormones being unbound. This tiny portion of hormones can enter the body and make the receptors active again and carry out the effect of the hormone.
It is necessary to check for Free Testosterone levels to happen when the levels of total testosterone are shown to be completely normal and passable, but the hormone imbalance effects are still there and are very persistent.
Why is a Free Testosterone test needed?
There are several indications that a Free Testosterone test is needed, and doctors may also suggest this test in case they need to find any disorder or complication that might arise due to the hormone levels within the body. There are some very specific health conditions that are found in men and women respectively.
Men
· Infertility
· Loss of Muscle Mass
· Bone Density Issues (Osteoporosis)
· Decreased Libido
· Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
· Chronic Fatigue
· Gynecomastia (Unusually Large Breasts)
· Depression, Irritability and other mood disorders
Women
· Fertility problems
· Deeper voice than normal
· Acne or Oily Skin
· Inconsistent Menstrual Cycles
· Suspected Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PSOC)
· Excessive facial and Body Hair
For Children and Adolescents
· Delayed or Early onset of puberty
· Abnormal Sexual Development
Free Testosterone Test Price in India
The entire cost for a Free Testosterone Test is dependent on the type of diagnostics and city you are in, and if it is done in one seating or part of a bigger hormonal package. Down below is more general and direct price range across some cities in India.
Delhi – Rs. 600 – Rs. 1,800
Mumbai – Rs. 700 – Rs. 1,700
Bangalore – Rs. 800 – Rs. 1,600
Kolkata – Rs. 650 – Rs. 1,600
Chennai – Rs. 600 – Rs. 1,700
Tier 2 Cities – Rs. 900 – Rs. 1,700
There are also some labs that are willing to offer some discounted packages that have both Total and Free Testosterone tests, along with other hormones that help sexual drives, including LH, FSH, SHBG, etc. They can all easily be booked online.
What do you need to know before the Test?
There are some important factors that need to be known about this particular test. Fasting is not generally required for this test, until and unless you’re family or personal doctor advises you. The timing for having a Free Testosterone Test would depend on the amount of fluctuation of testosterone that occurs on a daily basis. Although, the peak levels of testosterone present in the body occur during early mornings, with the timing ranging from 7 AM to 10 AM. In case you are taking any form of medication, consult your doctor on the types of medicines and supplements that you may be taking before attempting to take the Free Testosterone Test. Lastly, be sure to avoid any type of physical exercise 24 hours before the test that can heavily influence the hormone levels that are present within your body.
Free Testosterone Test Procedure
This procedure is quite simple to follow through with and relatively easy.
· Sample Collection: A sample of your blood will be taken by a professional medical practitioner using a clean and sterile needle.
· Lab Analysis: Your blood sample will then be sent to an extremely competent lab for analyzing and determining the results using complex medical techniques such as Advanced Immunoassay techniques and Liquid Chromatography Mass-Spectrometry (LC – MS/MS), which are both used for finding and deciding the best course of action needed depending on the results given.
· Report Timing: The timing for receiving the reports are always very consistent, reaching 24 – 48 hours after the tests has been taken, making these tests extremely reliable and punctual.
What do Abnormal and Unnatural Results mean?
Low Amounts of Free Testosterone Present in the body
IN MALES:-
· Diabetes or Metabolic Syndrome
· Pituitary Gland Syndromes
· Chronic Illness and Obesity
· Testicular Injury and Infections
· Stress and Depression
· Hypogonadism (Secondary and Primary)
IN FEMALES:-
· Fatigue
· Reduced Libido
· Changes in Fertility
Large Amounts of Free Testosterone Present in the Body
IN FEMALES:-
· Ovary and Adrenal Gland Tumors
· Adrenal Gland Disorders
· PCOS
· Different Uses of Testosterone Supplements
IN MALES:-
· Certain Tumors to look out for
· Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TCT)
· Anabolic Steroid Usages
It is also important to consult your doctor for a much more concise and proper diagnosis for your body after the Free Testosterone Test to ensure if everything is happening as it is intended to and some additional treatment options for any further clarifications regarding your testosterone levels.
Treatment Options
In regards to receiving treatment for your testosterone levels, here are some which can help you depending on the amount of testosterone present within your body.
· Low Testosterone in Men: If there are men who have an unusually low amount of testosterone in their body, these options can help you get some of that testosterone you have lost. Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT), Lifestyle Changes, Losing significant amounts of weight to stay in shape, and managing any underlying conditions you may have received while you lost most of your testosterone.
· High Testosterone in Women: Women who experience a high amount of testosterone within their bodies have some treatment options that help lower the testosterone to acceptable levels. Some of them are Hormonal medications such as birth control pills, anti-androgens as well as separate treatment for PCOS.
· Natural Remedies: There are also very simple and easy to follow remedies that benefit both males and females who have Testosterone problems, such as having a naturally healthy diet, plenty of physical exercise, reduction of stress, and ample amounts of sleep can help testosterone levels improve over time.
Where to Book the Free Testosterone Tests?
There are multiple simple ways and procedures you can do to get a Free Testosterone Test. Some of the ways you can book them are as follows.
Renowned quality labs and healthcare centers such as Thyrocare Labs, Dr. Lal Pathlabs, Metropolis, SRL, and Apollo Diagnostics are some of the most popular options to choose from when it comes to practicality and ease of work in a physical setting.
There are also many online Health platforms that can offer some of the best offers for a Free Testosterone Test. They are Mediyaar Healthcare. Com, 1mg, Healthians, Redcliffe Labs, etc.
One vital thing to note is that Home Sample Collections are available usually while you are choosing online, and thus offers some very simple practicality that offers little to no stress while selecting the perfect package to try.
Conclusion
Taking the Free Testosterone Test can help doctors identify key components in how you may be receiving too much or too little testosterone present in your body, especially when your testosterone levels may appear to be normal. It is essential for those who are having problems with their fertility, having an excess amount of fatigue, a low sex drive that affects your ability to conceive, or even unexplained symptoms that have little to do with testosterone in general. This can give some very vital insights into the hormonal health of your body. The importance of this test is just as necessary as any other medical test. It is necessary to consult a medical professional whenever you receive the results of your Free Testosterone Test to make sure there is nothing serious with your hormonal health and in finding the cause for whatever may be affecting your testosterone levels and finding the best course of action to cure it.
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