Quick answer
The Free Testosterone Test costs ₹1,200 at Live Line Health Care. Measures the unbound, active share of testosterone, useful when total testosterone is borderline or carrier proteins are abnormal, in men and in women. Morning sample between 7 and 10 am after an overnight fast of 8 to 10 hours (water allowed); avoid heavy exercise the day before.
Also known as: Testosterone Free, Free T, Serum Free Testosterone, Unbound Testosterone, Bioavailable Testosterone, Free Testosterone Level
What is the Free Testosterone?
Most of the testosterone in your blood is attached to proteins, mainly sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and albumin. Only about 1 to 3 percent floats free, and that free share, together with the loosely albumin-bound part, is what tissues can actually use. This test reports that free fraction, which can tell a clearer story than total testosterone when SHBG is unusually high or low.
In men, a free testosterone result is most useful when total testosterone is borderline, or when conditions such as obesity, diabetes, ageing, liver disease or thyroid problems are likely to have shifted SHBG. In women, it helps when a doctor suspects excess male-type hormones, for example in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with acne, unwanted hair growth or irregular periods. The method matters a great deal, so results are best compared within the same lab and read with total testosterone and SHBG where available.
What it measures: The unbound (free) testosterone in blood, reported in pg/mL. It is measured directly or calculated from total testosterone, SHBG and albumin, depending on the method.
Parameters included (1)
- Free Testosterone
Why is this test done?
- Confirming low testosterone in men when total testosterone is borderline
- Assessing men with obesity, type 2 diabetes or ageing, where SHBG is often altered
- Evaluating excess androgen in women with suspected PCOS
- Looking into unwanted facial or body hair, severe acne or scalp hair thinning in women
- Monitoring testosterone treatment, when the treating doctor asks for it
When should you get tested?
- Low sex drive, erectile difficulty or fewer morning erections
- Low energy, low mood, reduced muscle strength or increased body fat in men
- Difficulty conceiving, or a low sperm count on semen analysis
- In women, excess facial or body hair, persistent acne or irregular periods
- Loss of body hair or shrinking testes
How to prepare for the Free Testosterone
- 1Book the sample between 7 and 10 am, when testosterone is at its daily peak in most adults.
- 2Fast overnight for 8 to 10 hours. Plain water is allowed. Food, especially a sugary meal, can lower testosterone for a few hours.
- 3Avoid heavy exercise, alcohol and a late night the day before, and test when you are well rather than during an acute illness.
- 4Tell the staff about any testosterone, steroid, hormone or hair loss treatment, and about biotin supplements.
Free Testosterone normal range
| Parameter | Typical reference range |
|---|---|
| Adult men (calculated or dialysis method) | About 46–224 pg/mL |
| Adult men (direct immunoassay) | Much lower numbers, often about 9–30 pg/mL |
| Adult women | About 0.3–6 pg/mL, depending on method |
| Older men | Gradually lower with age; many labs give age bands |
Free testosterone ranges vary more between methods than almost any other hormone test, so always read your result against the range printed on your report. Ranges are typical adult values and vary between labs, age and sex. Always use the range printed on your report and discuss results with your doctor.
Understanding your results
- In men, a low free testosterone on two separate morning samples, together with symptoms, supports a diagnosis of low testosterone. One low reading is not enough, because illness, poor sleep and food can lower it temporarily.
- Total testosterone can look low in an overweight man simply because SHBG is low. If free testosterone is normal, the body may have enough active hormone, which is why this test can change the conclusion.
- In women, a raised free testosterone supports excess androgen, as in PCOS. Very high levels, or rapidly developing signs such as a deepening voice, need prompt specialist review.
- When low testosterone is confirmed, doctors usually check LH, FSH and prolactin next to find out whether the cause lies in the testes or the pituitary.
Health packages that include this test
The Free Testosterone is included in these full body checkups:
Free Testosterone – FAQs
What is the price of the Free Testosterone?
The Free Testosterone Test costs ₹1,200 at Live Line Health Care, at all 45 centres and for home sample collection.
What is the difference between total and free testosterone?
Total testosterone counts everything in the blood, including the large share tightly bound to SHBG. Free testosterone counts only the small unbound part that tissues can use directly. When SHBG is unusually high or low, the two can tell different stories, and free testosterone usually reflects real hormone activity better.
Why must the free testosterone test be done in the morning?
Testosterone follows a daily rhythm in most adults, peaking in the early morning and falling through the day. In younger men the evening level can be noticeably lower. Ranges are based on morning samples, so an afternoon test can wrongly suggest low testosterone.
Can women get a free testosterone test?
Yes. Women make small amounts of testosterone in the ovaries and adrenal glands. Doctors check free testosterone when they suspect excess androgen, for example in PCOS, or with unwanted hair growth, persistent acne or irregular periods. Female ranges are far lower than male ones.
Does weight affect testosterone results?
Yes, in two ways. Excess body fat lowers SHBG, which reduces total testosterone even if the free share is fine. Obesity can also genuinely lower testosterone production. Weight loss often improves levels. This is a key reason doctors look at free testosterone in overweight men.
Should I take my testosterone treatment before the test?
Ask the doctor who prescribed it. The right timing depends on the type, whether gel, injection or capsule, because levels rise and fall differently after each dose. Your doctor will tell you when to give the sample so the result can be read correctly.
Can low testosterone be treated?
Often, yes. The first step is finding the cause. Weight loss, better sleep, treating diabetes or changing a medicine can raise levels on their own. Where hormone treatment is needed, a doctor decides after confirming low levels on repeat morning tests. Do not start testosterone products without medical advice.
Where can I get the Free Testosterone done?
At any of our 45 Live Line Health Care centres in 40 cities across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, including Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Warangal, Kakinada and Nellore, or book home sample collection.
Medical disclaimer: This information is for general awareness only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a qualified doctor to interpret your results and before starting or changing any treatment.