Serum testosterone vs free testosterone direct

[Gettnbetter]

I just took a blood test in the afternoon....test came out Serum testosterone 411. Ng/dl.  And free testosterone  8.6 pg/ml.  Not sure where I stand.....new to this....am I low?

Not sure how to do formula...Lee Meyers can you answer?

[PeakT]

Can I ask your age?

The reason I'm asking is that T (on average) drops about 15-35% depending on age from early morning to evening.  So, if you had your blood draw in the morning, it's possible it would have been about 30% higher, which is mid 500's. 

Usually one doesn't have classic low T symptoms in the 500's, although anything is possible I'm sure.

[Gettnbetter]

Age 46

[PeakT]

Then you're probably okay imo, but I would get retested soon in the early morning.  Have you poked around the site and looked at any of the standard lifestyle issues (attitude/competition, sleep, stress, overtraining, etc.) via which you can bump up your T a little more?  Also, don't forget nutrition, diet and Vitamin D can likely move your T up as well.  Again, I would try these and then get a morning draw in a couple of months to make sure that you are moving in the right direction.

Are you having any of the classic low T symptoms?

[Gettnbetter]

I'm thinking it's a combo...last three years...I lost 75lbs...eating organic, smaller meals, avoid complex carbs...seems like for every 25lbs i lose my body is going thru a rebirth..feel great then my body says what did you put me thru...supposedly I was diag. With spinal stenosis, but the more weight I lose and the more I exercise it's almost a non issue....but thought my erections were effected by my back...doesnt seem that way now...wife and I have not been getting along all that well past two years...so stress from being over weight and not performing well, to stress from relationship, wondering what's wrong..so on..not having sex..use it or lose it thing... Been taking pyconegel on your recommendation and coca, right foods, kegals.....saw palmetto and I seem to be bouncing back..working on building muscle....think I have to keep going...also high blood pressure is prob the culprit....it's more of a lack of libido then anything...I would get erect and then not care sort of thing..but taking choline and b5 and seem to be turning corner....sorry little long winded...I'll take another test in am and get back to you.....

[PeakT]

Congrats on all the good changes.  I know it's a long road, but keep fightin' the fight.  I hope some of the guys noticed what a dramatic difference the weight loss made.  That is a great example for all of us...

[PeakT]

Btw, is the stenosis in your lower back?

[Gettnbetter]

Pretty sure....thoughts?    Made a discovery also with vitamin c..noticed I felt better several months ago than now and couldn't determine what supplement was responsible....I had cut out the vitamin c because I read some negative feedback..but I started back up and I dropped
another pant size...down to 33...then I read your article about lack of sleep and vitamin c and cortisol and it all made sense..I'm almost positive that all my problems are due to this hard fat lower belly I was carrying around and still have a little...very tough to get rid of...has to be the cortisol from the stress, leads to high blood pressure , leads to you know!  I look very fit now except for that and some man boobs that are going away...but I know it's there and it needs to go...bigger problem I believe than being large all around....I do what you say....I'd rather say "no thanks" to foods then saying "no thanks to an erection and heart problems...and I am going to commit to a better exercise regimen.....it works guys! it' very hard to do...but once you're in the zone...no problem..

[PeakT]

33.  Not bad!

And I'm not surprised.  Visceral fat is a killer - literally...

Well, I'm not trying to give you something else to worry about - I think you're gonna do just fine, but spinal injury can definitely be a cause of E.D. for example.  Do a search on my site on pudendal nerve.

Again, I wouldn't worry about it, but take care of that back.  That's another reason to exercise (properly) and drop the pounds.