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Understand Free Testosterone

Free Testosterone

Hormone markers

What the test generally measures, and what to ask about it.

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Updated Jul 13, 2026

What is Free Testosterone?

The small fraction of testosterone circulating unbound to proteins, so it is freely available for your body to use.

Most testosterone in your blood is attached to proteins like SHBG and albumin; free testosterone is the portion that is not bound and can act on your tissues. Because total testosterone can look normal even when the active free portion is off, this test can help clarify symptoms. In men, lower free testosterone can be associated with low sex drive, fatigue, or reduced muscle and bone strength; in women, higher levels can be associated with conditions such as PCOS. Results are interpreted differently by sex and age, and a single value is not a diagnosis.

This glossary entry is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Read our Terms of Use.

References

Clinical "Testosterone Levels Test" MedlinePlus (NIH/NLM). medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/testosterone-levels-test.
Clinical "SHBG Blood Test" MedlinePlus (NIH/NLM). medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/shbg-blood-test.

About our sources

Clinical / professional

Medical societies, specialty colleges, and professional associations whose consensus statements reflect clinical practice standards.

Peer-reviewed research

Original research articles and systematic reviews published in indexed journals and verified through PubMed or DOI.

History of updates

Published · Jul 13, 2026
First published; written and independently fact-checked against the cited sources.

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