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Lab Reference Guide

What do your hormone numbers actually mean?

Standard reference ranges were designed to include 95% of men tested — not to define what is optimal. Here is what each marker means and where you want to be.

This guide is for educational purposes. Your kindr physician interprets your results in the context of your symptoms and health history — not just the numbers.

Always test first thing in the morning.
Testosterone follows a diurnal rhythm — it peaks in the early morning and falls through the day. By afternoon your T can be 20–30% lower than morning levels. Labs should be drawn fasting, between 7am and 10am, for an accurate reading. If your doctor tested you in the afternoon your results may understate your true level.
Marker
Total Testosterone
ng/dL
LowOptimalHigh
Low
< 300 ng/dL
Clinical hypogonadism by most guidelines. Symptoms expected.
Below optimal
300–400 ng/dL
Technically 'normal' but low-end. Symptoms common. Free T often low.
Optimal
400–900 ng/dL
Healthy range for most men.
Optimal on TRT
700–1000 ng/dL
Target range when on TRT.
High
> 1100 ng/dL
Above normal. Dose adjustment likely needed if on TRT.
The number your doctor quoted is total T. It is only half the story. A man at 310 can have low free T and every symptom of low testosterone while his total T is technically within range.
Marker
Free Testosterone
pg/mL
LowOptimalHigh
Low
< 9 pg/mL
Low regardless of total T level. Symptoms expected.
Below optimal
9–15 pg/mL
Low-normal. Worth monitoring alongside symptoms.
Optimal
15–25 pg/mL
Good free T for most men.
Optimal on TRT
20–30 pg/mL
Target when on TRT.
Free T is the biologically active portion — what your cells can actually use. High SHBG binds testosterone and lowers free T even when total T looks fine. Always test free T alongside total T.
Marker
Estradiol (E2)
pg/mL
LowOptimalHigh
Low
< 10 pg/mL
Too low. Joint pain, low libido, brain fog, mood issues.
Optimal
20–40 pg/mL
Ideal for most men naturally and on TRT.
Elevated
40–60 pg/mL
Worth monitoring. Some symptoms may appear.
High
> 60 pg/mL
Aromatase inhibitor consideration. Gynecomastia risk.
Men need estrogen — just not too much. On TRT some testosterone converts to estradiol via aromatase. Estradiol that is too low causes as many problems as estradiol that is too high. This is why estradiol monitoring is part of TRT management.
Marker
LH and FSH
mIU/mL
LowOptimalHigh
Low (both)
LH < 1.5, FSH < 1.5
Suggests secondary hypogonadism — pituitary is not signaling the testes. Or: man is on TRT (expected suppression).
Normal
LH 1.5–9.3
Pituitary signaling normally. Problem is likely primary (testicular) if T is low.
Elevated
LH > 12
Testes not responding to signal. Primary hypogonadism.
LH and FSH tell you where the problem is. Low LH with low T points to the pituitary or hypothalamus — treatable with enclomiphene. High LH with low T points to the testes themselves. Different problems, different solutions.
Marker
PSA
ng/mL
LowOptimalHigh
Normal
< 4.0 ng/mL
Below clinical concern threshold.
Borderline
4.0–10.0 ng/mL
Monitoring needed. Not automatically concerning but requires attention.
Elevated
> 10.0 ng/mL
Requires urology evaluation before TRT is considered.
TRT monitoring
rise > 1.4 ng/mL / yr
A rise of > 1.4 ng/mL above baseline in 12 months warrants evaluation.
PSA is tested before starting TRT and monitored quarterly. TRT does not cause prostate cancer — but it can stimulate an existing cancer to grow faster. This is why baseline PSA matters before starting.
Marker
Hematocrit
%
LowOptimalHigh
Normal men
38–50%
Pre-TRT baseline.
TRT target
< 52%
Above this level risk of blood clots increases. Dose reduction or blood donation may be indicated.
Concern
> 54%
TRT pause or dose reduction strongly recommended.
TRT increases red blood cell production — which is why hematocrit is monitored quarterly on TRT. If hematocrit climbs too high the blood thickens and clot risk increases. Regular blood donation keeps this in check for most men on TRT.

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The kindr Men hormone panel tests every marker on this page. A physician reviews your results within 24 hours.

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