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Free vs. Total Testosterone: What You Need to Know
- Sep 18, 2025
- 2 min read
When people hear “testosterone,” they often think only of men’s health. But the truth is, testosterone plays an important role in both men’s and women’s well-being. From energy and muscle strength to mood, libido, and cognitive clarity, balanced testosterone levels can make a major difference in how you feel day to day.
One common point of confusion we see in lab results is the difference between free testosterone and total testosterone. Let’s break it down.
Total Testosterone
This is the sum of all the testosterone circulating in your bloodstream. However, most of it isn’t readily available for your body to use because it’s bound to proteins—mainly sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and albumin.
So, while total testosterone gives us an overview of your hormone production, it doesn’t always reflect what your body can actually access.
Free Testosterone
Free testosterone is the unbound fraction of testosterone—typically just 1–3% of your total. This is the portion that’s biologically active, meaning your tissues can use it to support things like:
Muscle strength and repair
Energy levels
Libido and sexual function
Mood regulation and mental clarity
Because free testosterone represents what’s “available” for your body to use, it can often be a more accurate measure of how testosterone is truly impacting your health.
Why It Matters for Men
In men, low total testosterone may suggest underproduction, but sometimes total levels look “normal” while free testosterone is low due to high SHBG. This can explain symptoms like fatigue, low libido, and brain fog—even when a standard lab says everything is “fine.”
Why It Matters for Women
Women produce much less testosterone than men, but it’s still crucial for vitality. Low free testosterone in women can lead to low energy, decreased muscle tone, poor recovery after exercise, and low libido. On the flip side, high free testosterone can contribute to acne, hair thinning, or symptoms of PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome).
That’s why evaluating both free and total testosterone gives us the clearest picture.
How Vitality Approaches Testosterone Testing
At Vitality, we don’t stop at surface-level labs. We measure both free and total testosterone—along with other hormones and binding proteins—to understand the full picture. This allows us to tailor treatment strategies, whether that’s lifestyle changes, nutritional support, or hormone replacement therapy when appropriate.
✅ Key takeaway: Total testosterone tells us how much is circulating. Free testosterone tells us how much is usable. Both matter, but free testosterone often explains why you may still have symptoms despite “normal” labs.
Ready to Take Control of Your Hormones?
If you’ve been struggling with fatigue, low energy, brain fog, or changes in libido, it may be time to take a closer look at your hormone health. Our PRIME Hormone Membership Program is designed for both men and women, offering individualized treatment, regular monitoring, and expert support so you can feel like yourself again.
👉 Learn more about PRIME at the links below and take the first step toward restoring your vitality:
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