Testosterone, Free & Total
Testosterone is the principal anabolic steroid and a sex hormone primarily produced in the testicles of men and the ovaries of women. The adrenal glands also secrete small amounts of the hormone. Some say that testosterone is what makes men men, associating it with aggressive behavior, hair growth and other male characteristics. However, testosterone is the principal steroid that repairs and regenerates healthy tissues, attributing to muscle growth.
The hormone regulates metabolism and plays a role in repairing and regenerating healthy tissues. Testosterone facilitates the development of male secondary sexual characteristics and reproductive tissue, including increased bone and muscle mass and hair growth. Healthy levels of testosterone are needed for general health and well-being, as research has shown the relationship between decreased levels and age-related diseases like osteoporosis, heart disease, diabetes and decreased sex drive.
Free testosterone is that which is not bound to the sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) glucoprotein but is freely floating in the blood stream. Total testosterone includes free testosterone and testosterone that is bound with SHBG. Bound testosterone does not affect a woman’s libido, so it is important to know the free testosterone as well as the total testosterone. It is important to keep the levels of testosterone and estrogen balanced, and the testosterone free and total blood test can help you do just that.
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