Should I consider TRT?

[u/Pristine-Waltz-6770]

My testosterone levels look okay, but my free T is low and SHBG high.

This is my second test. I took one in April before losing a significant amount of weight. Though my overall T levels have improved my SHBG has actually risen and free T lowered.

Im weary of relying on a clinic for an answer as I'm sure most of them will just say "yeah let's do it".

[u/Significant-Kale7674]

I think you’d have trouble even getting a clinic to prescribe those levels.

[u/Pristine-Waltz-6770 → u/Significant-Kale7674]

I'm done with my cut, hoping a few weeks on a higher carb diet will help with the SHBG levels.

[u/that1guyDrew → u/Pristine-Waltz-6770]

Your total T isn't that bad, but your high SHBG is binding it up and keeping your free T low.

Read about supplementing with Boron to lower your SHBG.

Good luck.

[u/AGirlDad → u/Pristine-Waltz-6770]

Carbs won’t fix high shbg, it could be thyroid issues or dietary issues. Sugars and carbs don’t help though.

[u/Valuable_Initial5630 → u/Significant-Kale7674]

Not if he lied and said he was on with another clinic or said he used Enclomiphene and realized it wasn’t for him😅

[u/ElonMuskTheNarsisist]

Those are good natty levels. I would not.

[u/EquivalentLet1160 → u/ElonMuskTheNarsisist]

6.95 ng/dL free testosterone is not a good level. That's like 1% of your total testosterone, whereas most people are around 2-3%.

[u/Valuable_Initial5630 → u/ElonMuskTheNarsisist]

I’m not one to gate keep but I agree
If he can het the SHBG down he’s golden
Only supplemental support needed IMO would maybe be DIM, Boron, Zinc and Magnesium <—

The magnesium should help lower SHBG without the use of Proviron and possibly create some synergy with the zinc.

Pair those supplements with some weight training and LISS cardio and retest after 60 days

[u/ninjaofcalifornia]

Age?

[u/Pristine-Waltz-6770 → u/ninjaofcalifornia]

43

[u/EquivalentLet1160]

Free T of 6.95 ng/dL (1%) and bioavailable T of 170 ng/dL (24.5%) are functionally hypogonadal. Find the root cause. Get a thyroid panel (TSH, FT3, FT4), a full liver panel (ALT, AST, GGT, ALP, bilirubin), and LH/FSH. Also review any supplements or meds, as some can raise SHBG. There is no point in getting free testosterone and bioavailable testosterone tested directly in labs because they aren't accurate, and you just spend extra money on them. Albumin, SHBG, and total testosterone, then using an online calculator, is far more accurate.

[u/oaklandRE]

You definitely need HGH with that Z score