Testosterone and TRT · Ontario
Free vs Total Testosterone: What Is the Difference?
The short answer
Free vs total testosterone describes two ways Ontario labs report the same hormone: total is all the testosterone in your blood, and free is the part not attached to carrier proteins. MAMBA Men's Clinics in Ontario explains which tests are on your requisition and what your results mean at a complimentary consult.
In this article
Key takeaways
- Free vs total testosterone are two views of the same hormone.
- Both come from a standard blood draw at a community lab.
- SHBG is a carrier protein often listed on the same requisition.
- MAMBA explains your results in plain language at a complimentary consult.
What is the difference between free vs total testosterone?
The difference between free vs total testosterone is what part of the hormone is being described. Total testosterone is all of it in your blood, and free testosterone is the portion that is not attached to a carrier protein.
Think of total testosterone as everyone in a stadium and free testosterone as the people standing in the aisles. Both describe the same crowd from a different angle.
What is SHBG and why is it on my requisition?
SHBG stands for sex hormone binding globulin, a protein in the blood that carries testosterone. It often appears on the same requisition as testosterone.
Men usually first see SHBG printed on a lab report and wonder what it is. A related term is calculated free testosterone, which is a free testosterone figure worked out from other results. Your clinician explains these names at a complimentary consult.
How do free and total testosterone tests compare?
Free and total testosterone tests compare closely in how you get them. Both come from a blood draw, and both are ordered on a lab requisition.
| Aspect | Total testosterone | Free testosterone |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | All testosterone in the blood | The unattached portion |
| Format | Blood test | Blood test or calculation |
| Where it happens | Community or hospital lab | Community or hospital lab |
| How to start | Requisition from a clinician | Requisition from a clinician |
Our post on the testosterone test in Ontario explains which of these OHIP covers.
Why do men ask about free vs total testosterone?
Men ask about free vs total testosterone because they see both terms online and on lab reports and want to know which one matters. The words sound technical, so a plain explanation helps.
Common reasons men raise the question include:
- A lab report lists one result and not the other.
- A friend or forum mentions free testosterone.
- They are thinking about TRT and want to understand the testing.
- SHBG appears on the report with no explanation.
How do I book a complimentary consult with MAMBA?
You can book a complimentary consult online or call or text 647-947-0605. The free MAMBA Health Score takes about two minutes. Virtual visits work anywhere in Ontario, and in-person care happens in Oshawa and Kitchener. More on the service is on our testosterone care and TRT page.
Frequently asked questions
Can MAMBA review testosterone results from another lab?
MAMBA Men's Clinics can review testosterone results from any Ontario lab. Bringing a copy of the report, or a screenshot from the lab portal, to your consult lets the clinician explain free and total testosterone in your own results.
Is free testosterone a separate blood draw?
Free testosterone usually comes from the same blood draw as total testosterone. The lab runs different tests on the same sample. Your requisition lists exactly which testosterone tests the lab will run during the visit.
What does calculated free testosterone mean?
Calculated free testosterone is a figure the lab or clinician works out from other results instead of measuring directly. The term often appears on Ontario lab reports, and a MAMBA clinician explains what it means for you at the consult.
Where can I get a free testosterone test in Ontario?
A free testosterone test in Ontario is done at a community or hospital lab with a requisition from a clinician. MAMBA Men's Clinics can provide the requisition after a virtual visit, wherever you are in Ontario.
Your next step.
Connect with MAMBA in Oshawa, Kitchener or virtually across Ontario.
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