What is a Free Testosterone Blood Test and how does it affect India

Free Testosterone is a very unique component found within the human body, specifically males, which is able to freely flow within the bloodstream without any proteins that bind them together. It is also biologically active throughout its lifespan, and unlike its counterpart Total Testosterone, which is capable of having both bound and unbound testosterone together, Free Testosterone is capable of handling almost every major effect that the hormone can create within the confines of the body, such as the control of muscle growth, libido, the regulation of mood swings and even taking care of reproductive health.

Now although testosterone is a male-dominant hormone, it is also vaguely situated in female bodies as well, which is able to play a vital role in their bodies as well. It is capable of providing some much needed attention to their bone development, stabilising their mood swings and even maintaining their own sex drives. Getting your very own Free Testosterone Blood Test will ensure a much more accurate reading on the balance between the hormones in the body than what the Total Testosterone Test is capable of doing so.

WHY SHOULD YOU GET A FREE TESTOSTERONE BLOOD TEST?

• Some of the most important reasons as to why the Free Testosterone Blood Test is necessary is due to the following:-
• Receiving a diagnosis of very low testosterone, which can lead to medical conditions such as Hypogonadism.
• It can be used for finding several symptoms related to infertility in both the males and females and correct them immediately.
• Find out if there have been any hormonal imbalances present in women who have been suffering from PCOS.
• Keep track and maintain any type of Hormone Replacement Therapy for future references.
• Understand why some children have been able to get puberty at a much later time than expected or earlier.
• Figure out why there have been many causes for erectile dysfunction to occur.
• Investigating the various reasons as to why there have been more and more cases of individuals suffering from a decreased sex-drive or sudden changes in mood.

WHO IS REQUIRED TO GET TESTED?

MEN

• Men who have been experiencing a lot of unexplained fatigue, lots of hair loss over time and even low libido levels present in the body.
• Men who are also having a lot of issues in relation to their fertility levels are also required to be taking this very test.
• Men who are struggling to deal with erectile dysfunction on a daily basis.
• Men who have shown a lot of bone density and muscle mass depletion over time due to low amounts of testosterone present within their body.

To understand more about hormonal health in men, you can also read about the broader issues around male infertility in India. 

WOMEN

• Women who have been showing very consistent signs of virilization through a lot of unnecessary body hair as well as a much deeper voice than their usual voice.
• Women that have been unable to get any regular period timings for a very long period of time.
• Women who have shown signs and symptoms related to PCOS or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
• Women that have shown very little interest in having sexual intercourse and are most of the time very unenthusiastic about intercourse in general.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FREE TESTOSTERONE AND TOTAL TESTOSTERONE?

Free Testosterone is capable of measuring only unbound testosterone in the body, whereas Total testosterone covers both bound and unbound testosterone together. Free Testosterone is able to analyze only the active testosterone levels present within the body. Total testosterone is capable of showing normal levels of testosterone even if the amount of free testosterone is at a much lower point. Free Testosterone is able to provide a much better diagnosis for individuals suffering from very minor and subtler hormonal issues. Total Testosterone on the other hand is able to use a very broad and large test screening package for a plethora of issues rather than focusing on what to expect from normal levels of testosterone.

Since testosterone levels are influenced by overall hormonal balance, learning about thyroid health in hindi could provide useful insights.

HOW IS THE FREE TESTOSTERONE BLOOD TEST DONE?

• The entire blood test is taken in a very simple and sterilized way through a needle that extracts just one sample of your blood from an arm vein.
• In some exceptions, some medical professionals may ask you to take an 8-12 hour fasting session before the test is taken.
• The sample is then taken to a very reputable laboratory for testing purposes, which can take as long as 12 to at most 24 hours.
• The entire sample extraction process is expected to be less than 5 minutes at a time in many cases.
• The best time for the blood sample test to be taken is during the early to mid-mornings, or about 7 AM to at most 10 AM, where the testosterone levels in the body are expected to be at their very highest.

Low testosterone is often linked to weight issues. Read more about how obesity impacts hormonal health in hindi.

WHAT IS THE NORMAL LEVEL OF FREE TESTOSTERONE?

• The actual levels of free testosterone within the body are actually varied from the type of lab that is testing them, but on average:-
• Men are expected to have 5 to 21 mg/mL in their body.
• Women are expected to have a much lower level of just 0.3 to at most 1.9 mg/mL of testosterone in the body.
• An important factor to note is that almost all the levels that go beyond the average levels are not always meant to represent a problem, and these tests must be taken with the most amount of context in relation to all the symptoms as well as varying hormone levels.

WHAT ARE SOME SYMPTOMS FOR LOW LEVELS OF FREE TESTOSTERONE?

IN MEN

• Men who have showcased a lot of reluctance when having sexual intercourse and having an overall low sex drive may be indicative of low levels of free testosterone in the body.
• Men who have also experienced a lot of erectile dysfunctions that seem to occur frequently.
• A lot of energy that seems to have been depleted from their bodies without any explanation at all.
• Many men who are suffering from low free testosterone in the body are also having a lot of mood changes and mood swings as well as severe depression in most cases.
• Men have also noted that they have a much higher chance of getting their muscles reduced over time.
• Experiencing sleeping issues is also a very common issue that seemingly affects every male who has low free testosterone.
• Men have also begun to have much less facial hair in their faces.

IN WOMEN

• Women have a much lesser amount of libido in their bodies.
• Women who have been having much more fatigue and tiredness than usual.
• Experiencing a lot of weakness in the bones is also subject to low levels of free testosterone in a woman's body.
• Issues that are related to a woman's fertility and menstrual cycle.

 If you’re exploring reproductive hormone testing, understanding the AMH test in hindi may also help you connect the dots.

WHAT ARE SOME CAUSES FOR LOW LEVEL OF FREE TESTOSTERONE IN INDIA? 

• Growing older is a very natural yet slow decline in free testosterone rates within the body's reserves.
• Gaining weight and even obesity are major signs of free testosterone levels in the body heavily declining over time.
• Being diabetic can also mean that the amount of free testosterone in the body is slowly declining due to the medical condition affecting it.
• Increasing levels of unwanted stress and even sleep deprivation have all led to free testosterone levels significantly lowering themselves.
• Some individuals who are suffering from chronic illnesses such as Kidney and Liver diseases are also subjected to having very low levels of Free Testosterone in the body.
• The abuse of certain medications, in most cases being steroids, free testosterone levels fluctuate massively below the average level.
• Unhealthy consumption of alcohol as well as living in a very unsanitary lifestyle filled with smoking can lead to a lot of reduction for the free testosterone levels within the body itself.

WHAT IS THE COST OF A FREE TESTOSTERONE BLOOD TEST IN INDIA?

• The blood test has varied greatly from city to city, and this is mostly based on the amount of facilities available in the city, the laboratory and its faculty and even where the test has taken place, at your house or within the confines of a hospital and healthcare center.
• New Delhi's prices for the test would be Rs. 650 to at most Rs. 1,200.
• Mumbai's prices hike up just a little, with the final tally being Rs. 700 to 1,300.
• Bangalore's prices go even higher than previous to Rs. 700 to at most Rs. 1,400.
• Hyderabad has been able to have its prices be Rs. 600 to Rs. 1,200.
• Kolkata has the most even one, being able to have the price stay consistent with Rs. 650 to at most Rs 1,000.

WHAT ARE SOME SUPPLEMENTS THAT CAN HELP AN ABNORMAL LEVEL OF FREE TESTOSTERONE IN THE BODY?

IN CASE THE LEVEL IS LOWER THAN EXPECTED

• Try and implement any particular change in your lifestyle that befits a much better chance at getting back the lost levels of free testosterone in the body. These changes may be the addition and inclusion of a better sleep pattern, much more consistent exercise and even having some weight loss in the body.
• Try having some replacement therapy initiatives in your daily plan to get some of the free testosterone you have previously lost by taking part in a Testosterone Replacement Therapy.

Routine full-body checkups can detect early signs of hormonal issues including low testosterone and learn why preventive health matters.

IF THE LEVEL IS MORE THAN EXPECTED

• Women who are taking pills and birth control medications are required to lessen their consumption.
• Reduce the amount of stress that is in your body by following some anti-stress routines on the daily.

Hormonal imbalance can influence mental health and learn how mood and testosterone levels are interconnected.

FAQS 

WHAT IS A FREE TESTOSTERONE BLOOD TEST?

A Free Testosterone Blood Test is able to simply measure the amount of testosterone available in your bloodstream that reflects the active form of testosterone that is made for the body's tissues. This way, it can help both the men and women by showing them any discrepancy found during the test itself.

WHY IS FREE TESTOSTERONE IMPORTANT? 

Free Testosterone is able to showcase the biologically active part of the testosterone hormone. It is also capable of taking care of the body's muscle mass, mood shifts, sexual drive and other specific bodily functions.

HOW IS THE TEST PERFORMED?

The entire blood test happens when a sterilized needle is pricked in your arm for extracting the necessary amount of blood required for the testing process to commence. The entire process itself takes just 5 minutes of your time, and the results will be sent to you roughly 12 to 24 hours after the blood test was taken.

IS IT NECESSARY TO FAST BEFORE THE TEST?  

Fasting is not required for the blood test to work, and there are very rare times where doctors will be able to tell you what you are required to do and whether you are taking another blood test at the same time, relating to glucose levels, as it may have some side-effects if not taken into consideration.

Medical Disclaimer – The information that has been written is only to be used for educational purposes. There has been no information presented by this website, be it tests, images and graphics, which should be taken as professional medical advice. Always consult with your doctor regarding any medical advice that may relate to your condition.