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Re: free testosterone vs. testosterone........From: anonymous@obgyn.netFri, 30 Jul 1999 11:02:47 -0500 (CDT)
At Thu, 29 Jul 1999, CMR wrote: > >Could someone please explain the difference between these hormonal blood >tests for me. What is the difference between a testerone test and a >free testosterone test? Thanks! > Cheryl :o) Testosterone, as well as most other hormones, do not circulate in the blood stream by itself to any large degree. Most of it is bound to a large protein called Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG), and is inactive as long as it remains attached. Only a tiny, tiny percentage is not so attached, the so-called free testosterone, which is the only testosterone that is actually doing its hormonal thing. Total testosterone is the sum of the free testosterone, and the bound testosterone. There are clinical conditions that effect both of these portions, and the tests help to differentiate between them.
-- William D. McIntosh, MD
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