posted Sat, 03/04/2017 - 02:50
860
Quest cutoff values
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I'm stuck with using Quest for bloods due to logistics. I found sample tests for Free and Total Testosterone:
The reference ranges are 250-1100 ng/dl for Testosterone Total. and 35.0-155.0 pg/mL for Testosterone Free
Does this mean those tests cut off at those values? I called them, but they won't tell me b/c I'm not a physician.
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Those are the reference ranges for determining if you fall within the normal ranges of the population. It is not the limits of the test. Like slowbro said, just see whether or not the test uses LC/MS
you need a test that has lc/ms. that will give you uncapped results.
Yeah - but what I need to know is where the Quest tests cut off: "I'm stuck with using Quest for bloods due to logistics"...
what i am saying is, if you order a plain testosterone level, the test will give you the normal range which is somewhere like 300-1100 or so. if you are higher than that it will give you a specific number up to 1500. if you are over 1500, the test will simply say testosterone value >1500.
if you order a testosterone levels with lc/ms it will also provide the normal referance range, but if your testosterone is more than 1500, it will give you the exact number, like 4382 total test or whatever you number is. i have seen these tests reach levels of 10k-12k total. i am not sure if these tests have an actual cap or not, but like i mentioned earlier, i have seen 10k+ so it shouldnt really be an issue.
quest should have both versions of the test available. both a total testosterone, and a testosterone LC/MS. you want the one with LC/MS.
Thanks for the reply. The issue is my doc is ordering the test - I have no control over it. I'm on TRT and in the middle of blast. He's cornered me and is demanding bloodwork in 2 weeks. If it comes back > 1500 I may get away with it. If he orders lc/ms and it comes back 5000, he's going to freak. That's the issue.
Doesn't matter what he orders. If you come back > 1500, he's going to know you're supplementing. Real Trt is not going to come in that high, especially if you've already been dialed in. Doc's going to typically want you middle of the road.
True that. I could try to delay the bloods while my system clears. Or I could just level with him. I can honestly say I don't abuse the pharm-grade that he gives me - I just add UGL during blasts. He's a great doc, and I don't want to lose him.
Advice?
Usually the labs will show 0-1500 ng/DL for total test. What you have listed is what they consider the "normal" range.