The test measures your level of bioactive testosterone also known as free testosterone in order to give you insight into your hormonal balance. Testosterone is an important sex hormone in both men and women, and testosterone levels can affect everything from energy levels and muscle mass to libido and mental health.
Why should I measure bioactive testosterone?
Testosterone is a sex hormone produced mainly in the testes in men and the ovaries in women. It plays an important role in regulating sexual development and reproduction, but it also affects other areas of the body's functions. Bioactive testosterone refers to testosterone that is not bound to any protein and is free to interact with the body's cells, normally around 1-2%.
Calculation of free testosterone
To determine the level of free testosterone, a calculation is carried out using a formula based on the health marker SHBG and albumin, two proteins that bind to testosterone in the blood.
Low levels of testosterone are associated with low energy, reduced sex drive, and can affect sleep and cause frustration. Testosterone can also be affected by high levels of physical and mental stress. Elevated levels of free testosterone can cause problems such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women or prostate enlargement in men. By testing yourself, you get an overview of your values and if you possibly lies in the zone of testosterone deficiency, so-called hypogonadism.
The testosterone level in the body varies greatly during the day. For this reason, sampling before 10:00 a.m. after a normal night's rest is recommended. Testosterone levels are normally highest in the morning.