% Free Testosterone (Dialysis)

Optimal Result: 1.5 - 3.2 %.

 

What is % Free Testosterone (Dialysis)?

% Free Testosterone (Dialysis) measures the percentage of total testosterone in your bloodstream that is not bound to proteins like sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) or albumin. This test uses a dialysis-based method, which is considered the gold standard for accurately quantifying free testosterone — the biologically active form of the hormone.

In your blood, most testosterone is attached to proteins, which helps transport it through your body. But only a small fraction — known as “free testosterone” — is unbound and bioavailable, meaning it can directly interact with cells and carry out essential hormonal functions. The “percent free testosterone” tells you how much of your total testosterone is in this usable, free form.


Why is % Free Testosterone Important?

Free testosterone plays a critical role in regulating:

  • Libido and sexual function

  • Muscle mass and strength

  • Bone density

  • Mood and cognitive performance

  • Red blood cell production

  • Fat distribution and metabolism

A normal percentage of free testosterone ensures that your body is able to respond appropriately to hormonal signals, especially in tissues like the brain, muscles, and reproductive organs. It’s particularly useful when total testosterone levels are borderline or when symptoms suggest a hormone imbalance.


What is the Dialysis Method?

The equilibrium dialysis method separates free testosterone from protein-bound forms by using a membrane that mimics the way substances naturally pass through cell membranes. This is a highly sensitive and specific method that directly measures the actual free testosterone, unlike some calculations or indirect methods (like analog-based assays) that may produce inaccurate results, especially in individuals with abnormal SHBG levels.


What Do Abnormal % Free Testosterone Levels Mean?

Elevated % Free Testosterone

A higher-than-normal percentage of free testosterone may indicate:

  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in women

  • Androgen-secreting tumors (rare)

  • Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH)

  • Steroid use or abuse

  • Low levels of SHBG (common in obesity, insulin resistance, or hypothyroidism)

Decreased % Free Testosterone

A low percentage of free testosterone may suggest:

  • Male hypogonadism (low testosterone production)

  • Aging-related testosterone decline

  • Chronic illness or stress

  • Elevated SHBG (can occur with liver disease, hyperthyroidism, or estrogen therapy)

  • Obesity or metabolic syndrome

Even if your total testosterone level is in the normal range, your free testosterone could be low — and that’s often when symptoms appear.


Who Should Get This Test?

This test is often ordered when someone has symptoms of testosterone imbalance but a normal or borderline total testosterone level. It is especially useful for:

  • Men with signs of low testosterone (fatigue, low libido, depression, muscle loss)

  • Women with signs of high testosterone (acne, hirsutism, irregular periods)

  • Individuals with abnormal SHBG levels

  • Monitoring response to testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)

  • Evaluating hormonal health in aging men or athletes


What’s a Normal % Free Testosterone Range?

Reference ranges can vary by lab, but typical values are:

  • Men: 1.5% – 3% of total testosterone

  • Women: 0.3% – 1.9% of total testosterone

These values should always be interpreted alongside total testosterone, SHBG, and your clinical symptoms.


Final Thoughts

Testing % Free Testosterone by Dialysis offers a more precise understanding of your hormone health than total testosterone alone. It helps identify subtle hormone imbalances that might otherwise be missed — especially when protein-binding changes are involved. If your results are abnormal, follow up with a healthcare provider to investigate further and discuss treatment or lifestyle strategies.

Frequently asked questions

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Instead of searching for your lab results in different places or tracking them down from different providers, Healthmatters houses, organizes, and interprets them all in one central location.

With a Healthmatters account, you can dive into the details of each biomarker and gain insights into the meaning behind your medical test data, anytime, anywhere.

For our professional users, Healthmatters provides intuitive tools that not only streamline analysis but also save valuable time when delving into your client's lab report history.

Healthmatters.io personal account provides in-depth research on 4000+ biomarkers, including information and suggestions for test panels such as, but not limited to:

  • The GI Effects® Comprehensive Stool Profile,
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  • Amino Acids Profile,
  • Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones (DUTCH),
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  • Toxic Metals,
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  • Thyroid panel,
  • Lipid Panel,
  • Urinalysis,
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You can combine all test reports inside your Healthmatters account and keep them in one place. It gives you an excellent overview of all your health data. Once you retest, you can add new results and compare them.

If you are still determining whether Healthmatters support your lab results, the rule is that if you can test it, you can upload it to Healthmatters.

While we work with many popular labs, we welcome reports from lots of other places too.

It's as simple as this: if you can get a test done, you can upload it to Healthmatters and we can interpret results from any lab out there. If laboratories can analyze it, we can interpret it.

If you’re on the hunt for a specific biomarker, contact us and we'll add it to our database. Anything from blood, urine, saliva, or stool can be uploaded, understood, and tracked with your Healthmatters account.

There are two ways to add your test reports to your Healthmatters account. One option is to input the data using the data entry forms. The other method is to utilize our "Data entry service."

Our data entry forms offer an easy, fast, and free way for you to input the reports yourself. Self-entry allows you to add an unlimited number of reports at no cost. We make the self-entry process user-friendly, providing dozens of templates that pre-populate the most popular laboratory panels and offering instant feedback on entered values.

For those who prefer assistance, we offer a "Data entry service" to help you input your data. Simply attach an image or file of your lab test results, and a qualified team member from our data entry team will add the results for you.

We support various file types, including PDFs, JPGs, or Excel. This service is particularly useful if you have many reports to upload or if you're too busy to handle the data entry yourself.

Our special data entry service makes it easy to add your results to your private dashboard. Just attach an image or a file of your lab test results, and our skilled data entry team will do the work for you. It's all done by humans, ensuring that your data is entered accurately and with personal care for each client.

Depending on your account, the data entry service can be included for free or come at an additional cost of $15 per report.

For users on the Complete monthly plan, the first report is entered free of charge, and each additional report incurs a fee of $15.

Unlimited account holders enjoy the entry of ten reports without charge. Subsequent reports are subject to a $15 fee per report.

Additionally, users on the Complete plan can upgrade to a yearly subscription from the account settings. The annual subscription includes a data entry service for five reports.

The Unlimited plan is a one-time purchase for $250, and it covers your account for a lifetime with no additional payments.

For the Complete plan, the cost is $15 per month. You have the flexibility to cancel it anytime through your account settings, ensuring no further payments. To avoid charges, remember to cancel at least a day before the renewal date. Once canceled, the subscription remains active until the end of the current billing cycle.

Additionally, you can upgrade to the yearly Advanced plan from within your account. The annual cost is $79, and it comes with a data entry service for five reports.

You can always upgrade to a lifetime version with a prorated price from a monthly or yearly subscription.

Simply log in and navigate to your account settings to cancel your subscription. Scroll down to locate the 'Cancel' button at the bottom of the page. Ensure you cancel at least one day before the renewal date to prevent any charges. Once cancellation is requested, the subscription remains active until the conclusion of the current billing cycle.

Our goal has been to make your Healthmatters account as intuitive as possible.

We’ve crafted multiple ways for you to navigate your data, whether you're glancing at a single report or delving into your historical test reports.

1. Graph View:

Dive into a visual journey with our biomarker graphs, showcasing over 40 data points. Combining years of results unveils trends, empowering you to make informed decisions. Our visualization tools make it a breeze to compare and understand changes over time, even if your results are from different labs. A search function and filters simplify the exploration of extensive data, allowing you to focus on what needs attention.

2. All Tests View

Explore neatly organized reports on a timeline, highlighting crucial details like dates, critical results, and lab/panel names. Each report opens up to reveal in-depth descriptions and additional recommendations for each biomarker. The history of previous results is just a click away, and you can download a comprehensive report for deeper insights. Color-coded and user-friendly, it's designed for easy reading, understanding, and navigation.

3. Table View:

For a holistic view of all biomarkers side by side, our table view is your go-to. Results are neatly displayed in a categorized and dated table, ideal for those with an extensive test history. Utilize sorting, filters, and color-coding to enhance your analysis and gain extra insights.

Yes, you can download information from your account. We can compile your labs into a CSV file. To download all your labs, you can go to Account Settings, and at the bottom of the page, you will find a link to download your information.

Yes, you can print your report. To do so, navigate to "All tests" and open the report you wish to print. You'll find a print button in the right corner of the report. Click on it, and your browser's print window will open. If you prefer to print in a bigger typeface, adjust the scale using the print window settings.

Yes, you can! We highly recommend activating Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for your account. To do so, please navigate to the "Profile and Security" section of your account, where you will find instructions for activating 2FA.

Yes, you can. When entering values for the biomarker, you will see an "Edit Range" button. Click this button, and you'll have the option to enter a custom range.

A personal account is all about keeping your own lab test results in check. It's just for you and your personal use.

The professional account is designed for health professionals who wish to track and organize their clients' laboratory results.

Yes, you can! Simply go to the "Invite Doctor" section, enter your doctor’s email address, and send the invitation. Your doctor will receive an email with secure access to view your results. You can revoke this access at any time. All shared information is securely encrypted and protected for your privacy.
Yes, you can! Go to the Graph view or Spreadsheet view. In the top-right corner, click "Export to Excel," and the file will be downloaded to your device.

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