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Testosterone, Free Test

Testosterone, Free Test

January 21, 2026
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Do I need a Testosterone, Free test?

Feeling exhausted, losing muscle despite working out, or noticing your drive just isn't what it used to be? Could low free testosterone be affecting your energy, strength, and vitality?

Free testosterone measures the active hormone available to your cells, not just the total amount in your body. This distinction matters because only free testosterone can actually fuel your muscles, mood, and metabolism.

Testing your free testosterone gives you a precise snapshot of what's bioavailable and working for you right now. It's the essential first step to understanding whether hormone imbalances are draining your energy and strength, empowering you to make targeted lifestyle changes or explore treatment options that actually address the root cause.

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Get tested with Superpower

If you’ve been postponing blood testing for years or feel frustrated by doctor appointments and limited lab panels, you are not alone. Standard healthcare is often reactive, focusing on testing only after symptoms appear or leaving patients in the dark.

Superpower flips that approach. We give you full insight into your body with over 100 biomarkers, personalized action plans, long-term tracking, and answers to your questions, so you can stay ahead of any health issues.

With physician-reviewed results, CLIA-certified labs, and the option for at-home blood draws, Superpower is designed for people who want clarity, convenience, and real accountability - all in one place.

Key benefits of Testosterone, Free testing

  • Measures the active testosterone your body can actually use right now.
  • Spots hormonal imbalance when total testosterone levels look misleadingly normal.
  • Explains fatigue, low libido, mood changes, or difficulty building muscle.
  • Guides treatment decisions for low testosterone or hormone replacement therapy.
  • Flags conditions like PCOS in women or hypogonadism in men early.
  • Tracks how well therapy is working over time with repeat testing.
  • Best interpreted alongside total testosterone, SHBG, and your symptoms for full clarity.

What is Testosterone, Free?

Free testosterone is the small fraction of testosterone that circulates in your bloodstream unattached to any carrier protein. Most testosterone travels bound to proteins like sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) or albumin, but free testosterone floats independently and is immediately available to enter cells and activate receptors.

This unbound form represents only about 1–3% of total testosterone, yet it's the biologically active portion that directly influences tissues throughout the body. Free testosterone drives muscle protein synthesis, bone density maintenance, red blood cell production, and libido in both men and women.

The hormone that's ready to work

Because it's not locked up by binding proteins, free testosterone reflects the amount of hormone actually available to do its job at any given moment.

Why the free fraction matters

Changes in binding proteins - due to aging, obesity, medications, or hormonal conditions - can alter free testosterone levels even when total testosterone appears normal, making this measurement a more precise window into hormonal activity.

Why is Testosterone, Free important?

Free testosterone measures the unbound, biologically active fraction of testosterone circulating in your blood - the portion immediately available to enter cells and drive metabolic, reproductive, and structural functions. Unlike total testosterone, which includes hormone bound to proteins and unavailable for use, free testosterone reflects what your tissues can actually access. It influences muscle mass, bone density, libido, mood, energy, and fat distribution in both men and women, making it a window into hormonal vitality and metabolic balance.

When free testosterone runs low

Reduced free testosterone often signals aging, chronic illness, obesity, or pituitary-gonadal dysfunction. Men may experience fatigue, low libido, erectile difficulty, muscle loss, and depressive symptoms. Women with low levels can face diminished sexual desire, reduced bone strength, and subtle shifts in energy and mood, though their baseline ranges are naturally much lower than men's.

When free testosterone climbs too high

Elevated free testosterone in men is uncommon outside of anabolic steroid use or certain tumors. In women, high levels often point to polycystic ovary syndrome, adrenal disorders, or insulin resistance, manifesting as irregular periods, acne, excess body hair, and metabolic disturbances that raise cardiovascular and diabetes risk.

The bigger hormonal picture

Free testosterone integrates tightly with insulin sensitivity, thyroid function, cortisol balance, and sex hormone-binding globulin levels. Chronic imbalances ripple outward, affecting bone health, cardiovascular risk, body composition, and quality of life across decades.

What do my Testosterone, Free results mean?

Low free testosterone

Low values usually reflect reduced bioavailable testosterone that can enter cells and activate androgen receptors. In men, this often signals testicular underproduction, pituitary dysfunction, or age-related decline, and may manifest as reduced libido, fatigue, loss of muscle mass, and mood changes. In women, low free testosterone is less commonly symptomatic but can contribute to decreased energy and sexual interest, particularly after menopause or oophorectomy.

Optimal free testosterone

Being in range suggests adequate bioavailable androgen activity to support muscle maintenance, bone density, sexual function, and metabolic health. In men, optimal values typically sit in the mid to upper portion of the reference range, supporting vitality and anabolic function. In women, normal levels are much lower but still physiologically important for libido and overall well-being.

High free testosterone

High values usually reflect androgen excess. In men, this is uncommon outside of exogenous testosterone use or androgen-secreting tumors. In women, elevated free testosterone often indicates polycystic ovary syndrome, adrenal hyperplasia, or ovarian tumors, and may present with hirsutism, acne, irregular menses, and metabolic disturbances.

Factors that influence free testosterone

Free testosterone is calculated or measured directly and reflects the unbound, biologically active fraction. Results vary with age, sex, time of day, obesity, chronic illness, medications including hormonal contraceptives and corticosteroids, and assay methodology. Interpretation should always consider total testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin levels.

Method: Laboratory-developed test (LDT) validated under CLIA; not cleared or approved by the FDA. Results are interpreted by clinicians in context and are not a stand-alone diagnosis.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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How it works
What should I expect during a blood draw?
  • A trained phlebotomist will guide you through the process.
  • A tourniquet is placed on your arm, the site is cleaned, and a small needle is used to collect blood into one or more tubes.
  • Results are usually ready in about a week.
  • Most people feel only a quick pinch.
  • The needle is removed, gentle pressure is applied, and a bandage is placed.
How do I prepare for a blood draw?
  • Drink plenty of water beforehand — hydration makes veins easier to find.
  • Wear loose sleeves so your arm is easy to access.
  • Follow any fasting instructions you’ve been given.
  • Let us know if you’re on medications, have fainted before, or have needle anxiety.
What should I do after my blood draw?
  • Press gently on the site for a few minutes.
  • Keep the bandage on for 4-6 hours.
  • Skip heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for the rest of the day.
  • Drink extra water to rehydrate.
  • Monitor the site for redness, swelling, or pain.
How do I book a blood draw with Superpower?

Your membership includes:

  • An annual full body test and report across 100+ biomarkers
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Many concierge clinics charge $10k – $100k for their services, we’ve built technology to make the world’s best healthcare as accessible as possible via an all-in-one membership.

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Superpower is currently available in the following US states:

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Does Superpower replace my primary care provider?

Superpower specializes in prevention-based testing and treatments and is not intended for emergency or immediate health issues.

While you will have a Superpower care team, your annual membership is designed to complement a primary care doctor if you have one, not replace them.

We are happy to help you share any test results with an outside provider to ensure you receive well-rounded medical care.

How fast are blood test results and how do I read them?

Your annual lab test panel takes about a week to process. We will text you as soon as they become available in your dashboard. Other types of tests may have different testing windows. The Superpower concierge is your own health assistant who helps answer your questions on your results, ensure smooth scheduling, coordination of any office-based tests, specialist referrals as needed, and navigating you to interface with your care team.

Does Superpower accept health insurance?

Superpower membership and products are all eligible for HSA/FSA funding.

We see Superpower like a gym membership for those committed to prevention and performance. Superpower is a bridge between wellness and healthcare. Health insurance traditionally focuses on reactive care whereas, at Superpower, we believe it’s never too early to start looking out for your long-term health.

What if I want more than 1 blood test per year?

Absolutely — you're not limited to just one. Your membership includes one comprehensive 100+ biomarker blood test each year, but if you'd like to track your progress more closely, you can add extra tests at any time. Each additional full-panel test costs $179. You can order as many as you'd like throughout the year.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Testosterone, Free Test

What is free testosterone, and how is it different from total testosterone?

Free testosterone is the small fraction of testosterone circulating in your blood unattached to carrier proteins like sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) or albumin. Because it’s unbound, it can enter cells immediately and activate receptors, making it the biologically active form. Total testosterone includes both bound and unbound hormone, so total levels can look “normal” even when free testosterone is low due to changes in SHBG.

Why is a free testosterone blood test important if my total testosterone looks normal?

Free testosterone can uncover a hormonal imbalance that total testosterone may miss. Shifts in binding proteins - often influenced by aging, obesity, medications, or hormonal conditions - can reduce the active hormone available to tissues while keeping total testosterone in range. Testing free testosterone helps explain symptoms like fatigue, low libido, mood changes, and difficulty building muscle, and it supports more precise treatment decisions.

What symptoms can low free testosterone cause in men and women?

Low free testosterone often reflects reduced bioavailable androgen activity. In men, common symptoms include fatigue, reduced libido, erectile difficulty, loss of muscle mass, mood changes (including depressive symptoms), and diminished bone density. In women - whose normal baseline is much lower - low levels may contribute to persistent fatigue, reduced sexual interest, and bone thinning. Symptoms vary, so results are best interpreted alongside SHBG, total testosterone, and symptoms.

What does high free testosterone mean, especially for women with acne or irregular periods?

High free testosterone suggests androgen excess. In women, elevated levels commonly point to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), adrenal disorders, insulin resistance, or - less commonly - ovarian tumors, and may present with irregular cycles, acne, and excess body hair (hirsutism). In men, high free testosterone is uncommon without exogenous supplementation, though rare hormone-secreting tumors can be a cause. Children with early elevation may show signs of early puberty.

How do SHBG and albumin affect free testosterone results and symptoms?

Most testosterone is bound to SHBG or albumin, which limits how much hormone is immediately available to tissues. If SHBG rises, free testosterone can fall even when total testosterone appears normal; if SHBG drops, free testosterone may rise. Because binding proteins can change with age, obesity, medications, and hormonal conditions, pairing free testosterone with SHBG and total testosterone gives a clearer picture of active androgen signaling and symptom drivers.

How should I prepare for a free testosterone test, and why is morning testing recommended?

Free testosterone interpretation can be influenced by time of day, especially in men due to diurnal variation. Morning samples are preferred to capture more consistent peak levels. Results may also be affected by factors such as obesity, age, and medications (including hormonal contraceptives and corticosteroids). For best clarity, free testosterone is typically interpreted alongside total testosterone, SHBG, and your symptoms to avoid misleading conclusions from a single value.

What is considered an “optimal” free testosterone range, and does it differ by sex?

An “optimal” free testosterone result generally means adequate androgen signaling for energy, libido, mood stability, muscle maintenance, and metabolic health. Reference ranges differ significantly by sex: men typically have much higher levels, and optimal values often sit in the mid to upper portion of the lab’s reference range. Women’s normal free testosterone is far lower but still important physiologically. Always interpret “optimal” using your lab’s range plus symptoms and SHBG.

Can free testosterone testing help diagnose PCOS in women or hypogonadism in men?

Yes. Free testosterone testing can flag androgen-related conditions earlier and more accurately when total testosterone looks normal. In women, elevated free testosterone is a common clue for PCOS, often alongside symptoms like irregular periods, acne, and hirsutism. In men, low free testosterone can support evaluation for hypogonadism, including potential underactive testes or pituitary signaling issues. Interpretation is strongest when combined with total testosterone, SHBG, and clinical symptoms.

How is free testosterone used to guide testosterone replacement therapy or other hormone treatment decisions?

Free testosterone helps clinicians assess how much active hormone your tissues can use and whether symptoms align with low bioavailable androgen levels. It can guide decisions around diagnosing low testosterone, considering hormone replacement therapy, and adjusting treatment dosing. Repeat testing over time helps track how well therapy is working and whether free testosterone is normalizing. For clearer treatment planning, free testosterone is best reviewed alongside total testosterone, SHBG, and symptom changes.

Why can free testosterone results be misleading, and what factors can skew the interpretation?

Free testosterone can be influenced by age, SHBG levels, obesity, medications (including hormonal contraceptives and corticosteroids), chronic illness, and time of day. These factors can shift binding proteins and change the free fraction without reflecting a simple “more or less testosterone” story. A common misconception is that total testosterone alone tells the full picture; in reality, pairing free testosterone with total testosterone, SHBG, and symptoms provides the most reliable interpretation.

Finally, healthcare that looks at the whole you