My Testosterone Is 1,170! Here Is Why That Number Is Almost Irrelevant

When a doctor orders a testosterone test, many men focus on one number:

Total testosterone.

But total testosterone represents both testosterone that is circulating freely and testosterone that is bound to proteins in the bloodstream.

That distinction matters.

Think of your testosterone like money in a bank account.

Your total testosterone is the total amount of money you have.

Your free testosterone is more like the money that is readily available to spend.

And SHBG is one of the proteins that influences how much testosterone remains tightly bound.

This is why looking at only total testosterone can sometimes provide an incomplete picture.

1. Total Testosterone: How Much Testosterone Is in Your Blood?

Total testosterone measures the overall amount of testosterone circulating in your bloodstream.

It includes testosterone that is:

• Bound to SHBG
• Loosely bound to albumin
• Free or unbound

Your body needs testosterone for a wide range of physiological functions, including supporting:

• Muscle mass and strength

• Bone health

• Sexual function
• Red blood cell production
• Energy and overall wellbeing

But here’s where things get interesting.

A high or ‘normal’ total testosterone number does not automatically tell you how much testosterone is biologically available to your tissues.

That is where free testosterone and SHBG enter the conversation.

2. Free Testosterone: The Available Fraction

Free testosterone refers to testosterone that is not bound to proteins in the bloodstream.

Because it is unbound, it is generally considered more readily available to tissues.

This is one reason clinicians may consider free testosterone alongside total testosterone and SHBG, particularly when total testosterone does not clearly match a man’s symptoms.

In my own blood report, my total testosterone was:

1,170

My free testosterone was:

22.37

But here’s the important point:

The number itself should always be interpreted according to the units, laboratory method, reference range, age, symptoms, and clinical context.

A number on a lab report is not a diagnosis.

3. SHBG: The Missing Piece of the Puzzle

Now we come to the third number:

SHBG – Sex Hormone Binding Globulin.

SHBG is a protein produced primarily by the liver that binds sex hormones, including testosterone.

Think of SHBG as one of the gatekeepers influencing how much testosterone remains available in circulation.

My SHBG came back at:

44.9

Again, whether a particular SHBG value is considered desirable depends on the laboratory range, units, individual context, and the rest of the hormone profile.

This is why you shouldn’t look at SHBG in isolation either.

The real value comes from understanding how these numbers relate to one another.

Let’s imagine two men.

Both have total testosterone of:

650

On paper, they appear identical.

But imagine:

Ayush: SHBG = 30

John: SHBG = 65

Their free testosterone could be substantially different.

The man with higher SHBG may have a smaller proportion of testosterone available as free testosterone, depending on the rest of his hormone profile.

This is one reason a man can have a total testosterone result that falls within the laboratory reference range while still warranting a closer look at free testosterone and SHBG especially if he has persistent symptoms that could be related to androgen status.

Symptoms can include things such as:

• Low sexual desire
• Reduced energy
• Poor recovery
• Changes in mood
• Reduced muscle strength
• Difficulty maintaining body composition

But these symptoms are not specific to low testosterone.

Poor sleep, chronic stress, inadequate nutrition, certain medications, obesity, thyroid problems, depression, and many other factors can produce similar symptoms.

That’s why context matters.

SHBG can vary considerably between individuals.

Factors associated with changes in SHBG can include:

• Age
• Body composition
• Thyroid function
• Liver health
• Energy availability
• Certain medications
• Hormonal conditions

This is particularly relevant for men who are experiencing symptoms that don’t seem to match their total testosterone result.

For example, a man might be told:

“Your testosterone is normal.”

But that may be where the investigation ends.

A more complete hormone assessment may consider:

Total testosterone + Free testosterone + SHBG + symptoms + clinical context

That gives you a much more useful starting point for understanding the picture.

This is an important distinction.

You will find many websites talking about a specific “functional testosterone range” or claiming that every man should achieve a particular number.

Be careful.

Laboratory reference ranges vary depending on:

• Testing method
• Laboratory
• Population
• Age
• Time of day
• Units
• Clinical circumstances

There isn’t one universal testosterone number that guarantees optimal health, energy, libido, or performance for every man.

Your goal shouldn’t be to chase the highest possible testosterone number.

The goal should be to understand your hormone profile in context.

Testosterone levels naturally fluctuate.

For this reason, testosterone testing is generally performed under standardized conditions, often in the morning, and an unexpectedly low result may need confirmation with a repeat measurement.

If you are experiencing persistent symptoms such as:

• Low libido
• Unexplained fatigue
• Reduced strength
• Poor recovery
• Erectile difficulties
• Changes in mood

talk to a qualified healthcare professional rather than trying to interpret the numbers yourself.

A testosterone test is a starting point not a diagnosis by itself.

This is the biggest lesson I want you to take away.

Your body is not a collection of independent numbers.

It is a connected system.

Total testosterone is one piece.

Free testosterone is another.

SHBG is another.

And then there are other factors that influence how you actually feel and perform:

• Sleep
• Stress
• Nutrition
• Exercise
• Body composition
• Recovery
• Thyroid function
• Metabolic health
• Medications
• Age
• Lifestyle

This is why I don’t believe in looking at one biomarker and immediately declaring:

“This is your problem.”

The better question is:

“What story are all these biomarkers telling us together?”

The EMPOWER Diagnostic

If you’re watching this and thinking:

“I want to know precisely what my numbers mean for my specific situation.”

I do a 45-minute one-on-one diagnostic session called the EMPOWER Diagnostic.

I take your blood panel, identify the key biomarkers, look for patterns, and help connect those findings with the symptoms and lifestyle factors you’re experiencing.

Not as isolated numbers.

As one interconnected story.

Most practitioners focus on individual symptoms.

I look for the patterns underneath them.

The link to the EMPOWER Diagnostic is in the description.

Your total testosterone number matters.

But it doesn’t tell the entire story.

If you’re trying to understand your male hormone health, three numbers are particularly useful to understand together:

Total testosterone – how much testosterone is circulating.

Free testosterone – the unbound fraction that is more readily available to tissues.

SHBG – a binding protein that influences how much testosterone remains available.

But even these three numbers shouldn’t be interpreted in isolation.

Your symptoms, health history, lifestyle, medications, laboratory methods, and other biomarkers all matter.

So the next time someone tells you:

“Your testosterone is normal.”

Don’t panic.

But don’t necessarily stop the conversation there either.

Ask:

“What is my total testosterone?”

“What is my free testosterone?”

“What is my SHBG?”

And most importantly:

“What do these numbers mean together in the context of my health?”

Because your health is more than a single number on a lab report.

I’m Akash. Namaste.

1. What is the difference between total testosterone and free testosterone?

Total testosterone measures the overall amount of testosterone circulating in your blood, including testosterone bound to proteins and the smaller free fraction. Free testosterone refers to testosterone that is unbound and more readily available to tissues.

2. Why is SHBG important for testosterone?

SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) is a protein that binds testosterone in the bloodstream. SHBG levels can influence how much testosterone is available as free testosterone, which is why SHBG can provide useful context when interpreting a testosterone test.

3. Can you have normal total testosterone but low free testosterone?

Yes. A person’s total testosterone can fall within a laboratory reference range while their free testosterone is relatively low. SHBG and other factors can influence this relationship, so the numbers are best interpreted together rather than individually.

4. What are the three testosterone numbers men should know?

The three key measurements discussed in this article are total testosterone, free testosterone, and SHBG. Looking at them together can provide more context than total testosterone alone.

5. What does high SHBG mean for testosterone?

Higher SHBG can result in a greater proportion of testosterone being bound, potentially reducing the free testosterone fraction. However, SHBG must be interpreted alongside total testosterone, free testosterone, symptoms, and other clinical factors.

6. What can affect SHBG levels?

SHBG can be influenced by factors including age, thyroid function, body composition, liver health, energy availability, medications, and hormonal conditions. The significance of a particular result depends on the individual.

7. When is the best time to test testosterone?

Testosterone levels vary throughout the day, so testing is commonly performed in the morning under standardized conditions. If a result is unexpectedly low, a healthcare professional may recommend repeat testing to confirm it.

8. What symptoms can be associated with low testosterone?

Possible symptoms include low libido, reduced energy, decreased strength, poor recovery, erectile difficulties, and changes in mood. However, these symptoms can have many other causes, so they should not automatically be attributed to testosterone.

9. Is a high testosterone level always better?

No. Higher testosterone is not automatically healthier. Testosterone results should be interpreted according to the individual’s symptoms, laboratory reference ranges, testing method, age, and overall health rather than simply trying to achieve the highest possible number.

10. Should I test free testosterone and SHBG along with total testosterone?

If you’re evaluating testosterone status, discussing total testosterone, free testosterone, and SHBG with a qualified healthcare professional can provide useful additional context, particularly when symptoms don’t appear to match the total testosterone result.

11. Can testosterone levels change with age and lifestyle?

Yes. Testosterone levels can be influenced by age, sleep, body composition, nutrition, physical activity, stress, medications, and overall health. A single test result provides only a snapshot of your current status.