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Free & Bioavailable Testosterone Calculator

Created by Filip Derma and Łucja Zaborowska, MD, PhD candidate
Reviewed by Małgorzata Koperska, MD and Adena Benn
Based on research by
Alex Vermeulen, Lieve Verdonck, Jean M. Kaufman. A Critical Evaluation of Simple Methods for the Estimation of Free Testosterone in Serum; The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism; October 1999See 1 more source
Mayo Clinic Laboratories Testosterone, Total, Bioavailable, and Free, Serum;; Accessed July, 17 2022
Last updated: Jan 16, 2024


Free & Bioavailable Testosterone Calculator is a tool that provides you an estimation of free testosterone as well as bioavailable testosterone concentration. When you observe one of the problems with low libido, erections, fertility or irregular menstruations, it indicates that you might have inappropriate testosterone levels and you should definitely check them. This Calculator helps you to see an approximate testosterone fractions levels in your blood. In the article below, you will find out: what is testosterone, when a low testosterone is observed, what are proper free testosterone levels, how to do a testosterone test and how to increase testosterone level.

What is testosterone?

Testosterone by definition is an organic compound, primary male sex hormone, and an anabolic steroid. It is mainly produced in testicles by Leydig cells (♂) and also in small amount by adrenal cortex (♂/♀), ovaries (♀) and placenta (♀). Testosterone plays the leading role in the development of male reproductive organs like testicles and prostate. It is also responsible for secondary sexual characteristics stimulation (building muscles, bone mass, growth of facial, pubic and body hair, deepening of the voice) - literally turns boys into men. 🙂
Testosterone circulates in plasma in three forms: most of it is specifically bound to sex hormone - binding globulin (SHBG), another part is nonspecifically bound to albumin, and small percentage of it is unbound.

Free testosterone

Free testosterone (FT) is a fraction of total testosterone (TT), which is not bound with any of transport protein (Albumin or SHGB). It is easily available for cells. FT measurements should be done, when the TT test gives doubtful results. The test does not give diagnostic value while fluctuations of SHBG level are too high.
The norm for free testosterone is dependent on sex, age and laboratory test methods.

Normal free testosterone levels:

  • for males: 50-210 ng/L (174-792 pmol/L)
  • for females: <8,5 ng/L (<29,5pmol/L)

FT test is performed when doctor suspects abnormal sexual development of boys. It is also suggested for males with libido/erection disorders and females with virilization symptoms.

Bioavailable testosterone

Testosterone that is bioavailable is more readily able to enter your cells and be used by your body - that's why this parameter is essential. It refers to the sum of free testosterone and albumin-bound testosterone.

Bioavailable testosterone = free testosterone + albumnin-bound testosterone

You could have exactly the same total testosterone level as another male patient, but a comparatively low index of bioavailable testosterone. Doing basic tests, where only total testosterone level is measured, might be confusing because you wouldn't understand why you had symptoms of testosterone deficiency while other man didn't. Getting complex measurements would give you a much more comprehensive picture of what is going on in your body.

Sometimes low testosterone might be a signal that something is going wrong in your body and a dedicated treatment could be needed.

Testosterone levels

For males, by norm, 40-60 % of testosterone is bound with SHGB (strong binding). The rest binds to Albumin (weak and reversible binding). Only 1-4 % of testosterone occurs as a free testosterone form (FT).

Your testosterone levels changes hourly - the highest are in the morning and lowest at night. They fluctuates with age as well. The highest level is around age 20 - 30, and then slowly goes down.

Check your free testosterone levels using our Calculator!

The equations are based on Vermeulen Formulas, published in the article:
"A Critical Evaluation of Simple Methods for the Estimation of Free Testosterone in Serum".

Testosterone levels may vary for many reasons. Usually, they drop and stay at a low volume. Less often, they grow too high.While this hormone is out of balance, health problems may occur. If you have any of the problems mentioned in the paragraph below, ask your doctor about checking your testosterone levels. You can get treatment to fix hormone problems.

Normal levels of testosterone, according to sex and age are listed in the table below:

Age Male [ng/dL] Female [ng/dL]
0-5 months 75-400 20-80
6 months-9 years <7-20 <7-20
10–11 years <7-130
">7-44
12-13 years <7-800 <7-75
14 years 7-1200
<7-75
15-16 years 100-1200 <7-75
17-18 years 300-1200 20-75
19 years and up 240-950
8-60

If you are interested in other hormonal parameters like progesterone or estradiol and balances between them, make sure to check our progesteron to estradiol calculator or testosterone to estrogen ratio tool.

Low testosterone

Low testosterone levels might cause a variety of symptoms in males, like:

  • decreased sex drive
  • erectile dysfunctions
  • low sperm count
  • enlarged male breasts (Gynecomastia)
  • body hair loss
  • weight gain
  • weakness
  • feelings of depression

As a man gets older, the production of testosterone naturally decreases, but other factors can cause hormone levels to drop as well. Injuries to the testicles and cancer treatments (chemotherapy, radiation) may unfavorably affect testosterone production. Negative influence also has stress and chronic diseases like AIDS, kidney diseases, alcoholism, cirrhosis of the liver.

High testosterone

When young boys have too much testosterone, they can start puberty too early (before age 9). Some rare conditions, like certain types of tumors, cause boys to produce testosterone earlier than average. Sometimes too much testosterone is a result of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH). In some cases, it can cause men to have a very deep voice and women to grow facial hair. CAH can be diagnosed early in infants, because of the symptoms - dehydration and problems with feeding. It can also cause stunted growth, even may manifest with tall height in young men.

Testosterone test

To get testosterone levels checked, a blood test is required. The test should be performed in the morning, between 7-10 hour, when testosterone levels are the highest. Females should perform the test in the first days of the menstrual cycle (2-5 day). Sometimes, the test needs to be retaken to confirm measurements.

While registering for the test, you should inform about medicines that you take.

Some of medicaments (androgens and steroids) may decrease a concentration of testosterone.
Some may increase it:

  • steroids (testosterone level can fall rapidly after stopping them)
  • barbiturates
  • anticonvulsants
  • estrogen therapies

How to increase testosterone levels?

Are you considering testosterone therapy? Treatment is not necessary if your levels stay within the normal range. Testosterone replacement therapy is primarily beneficial for men with low testosterone levels. Do not take any testosterone supplements without consulting your doctor. They may cause side effects that are difficult to eliminate.

Prescription testosterone treatments are available as gels, skin patches, and intramuscular injections. Each of those medications comes with potential side effects (mood swings, skin irritation, etc.). Testosterone treatment is not advised for men with prostate or breast cancer.

Potential side effects of testosterone therapy might be:

  • increased urination
  • increased acne
  • breast enlargement
  • decreased testicular size
  • decreased sperm count
  • increased aggressive behaviors

Doctors and researchers have varying opinions regarding the effectiveness of testosterone replacement therapy. Most agree that study results are mixed for most conditions.

Some food and herbs might help to boost your testosterone levels. These alternative and natural treatments aren't proven to be more or as effective, as traditional testosterone therapy. Some may interact with any medications you take and cause unintended side effects!

Herbs Vitamins Foods
Malaysian ginseng vitamin D tuna
pine bark extract dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) oysters
yohimbe L-arginine garlic
ashwagandha
zinc egg yolks

WARNING! Free & Bioavailable Testosterone Calculator provides only estimations of testosterone fractions volume. Results from this calculator can NOT be considered as a base for any medical decisions in any case/circumstances, regarding diagnosis or treatment without a prior consultation of a medical expert in this field. No responsibility is assumed for its correctness or suitability for any given purpose.

Filip Derma and Łucja Zaborowska, MD, PhD candidate
Albumin
g/dL
SHGB
nmol/L
Testosterone
nmol/L
Free Testosterone
nmol/L
Free Testosterone
%
Bioavailable Testosterone
nmol/L
Bioavailable Testosterone
%
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