Free test is the main driver of anabolism?
So I was watching some videos about shbg and how overtime as you expose yourself to androgens it will decrease. Then I started thinking maybe I need to figure out how to raise shbg. But, after reading some articles and stuff I found that Free testosterone is the primary driver of anabolism?!
Total testosterone = bound + unbound testosterone.
• Most of it is bound to SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin) and albumin.
• Bound testosterone is inactive—it’s just sitting there, not doing anything.
Free testosterone = unbound, bioavailable testosterone.
• This is the active form that actually binds to androgen receptors in your muscle cells, nervous system, skin, etc.
So when people say they have a 5000 testosterone level obviously they are referencing total Test. But why is it that we refer to total testosterone when talking about levels if it’s the inactive form essentially and not Free T?
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It’s usually assumed that when you have a higher total T, your free T is higher as well. Like someone else said, it’s easier to measure total T than free T, as that’s usually a separate test.
But to one of your points, raising shbg is the key.
Total is easier to get an accurate reading on and the benchmark used by labs, physicians, etc.