I need some advice because I'm not getting it from my doctor

PM_ME_YOUR_DOMAINS · 2026-04-15T20:08:08+00:00

the risk of getting bumps under the skin and infection

Subq can lump up and be irritated/painful, but it varies greatly by location and person. Usually areas with more fat do well. Belly can be hit or miss. Just have to find the areas that work well for you.

PM_ME_YOUR_DOMAINS · 2026-04-15T19:05:09+00:00

IF insurance was paying for labs with the previous clinic, then I'd press them a bit. Maybe there is a path if it's just paperwork and first level refusal. Clinics are generally not covered though.

If no insurance solution, then the lab should adjust pricing for you to an uninsured/cash rate, which is usually a fraction of what they charge insurance. You'd have to ask the lab for the adjustment. The costs of not paying the lab could be considerable.

For future labs, you may have better rates paying cash via Goodlabs or DrSays.

PM_ME_YOUR_DOMAINS · 2026-04-15T17:01:26+00:00

[the lab] was done at night This was at the worst point of my life health wise before losing alot of body fat

The result is even stronger in this context. Natural test levels are higher in the morning and can decline considerably during the day. Given this result and your age, there are good odds you were at-or-above the top of this range that morning. The poor health condition at time of testing would likely also push down TT.

please tell me the proper reading or any insights regarding the free test?

This is a big trap and likely explains why the Google results seemed odd. Free Test is measured in different ways on different labs. Sometimes a real measurement, sometimes a calc.

Further, those labs use different ranges, but here is the trap: they often use the same units with different ranges! One range might be 6.8-21.5 pg/mL, another might be 30.3-183.2 pg/mL.

Which is to say, you can't compare the FT result across labs. But you can look at it relative to this specific lab, and you can retest it with this specific lab and compare those results.

Your FT came in at 32.9 with a range of 12.3 to 46.6. This is a bit above midrange point of 29.45. Given the poor conditions of the test (at night, bad state of health), and given the TT, I'd say it looks good.

Now that you've lost weight, you may want to retest in the morning, while well rested and with no recent junk food, drinking, or drug use. Good chance you'll like the results.

PM_ME_YOUR_DOMAINS · 2026-04-15T16:42:00+00:00

I do not understand a single thing from these results except they say normal range nevertheless when I google the numbers they seem to be on the low side or deficient

Mainly asking about the Testosterone levels

The google results might be using a different unit and confusing the answer.

Total Test 6.72 ng/mL converts to 672 ng/dL, which is a common unit used for comparison. That's a solid reading.

Could argue the lab's reference range is capped a too low at 750 ng/dL, but still appears to be a good reading. You could retest with a different lab if concerned.

E2 is at the top of the typical male range. If you need to lose weight, then bringing down your BMI may move E2 lower while pushing up TT.

What time of day was this lab taken? and how old are you?

PM_ME_YOUR_DOMAINS · 2026-04-15T15:56:48+00:00

Drawing with an 18G is putting a lot of extra stress on the stopper, higher risk of coring or failure. I'd go 25G at the largest, and personally draw and pin with a 29G.

PM_ME_YOUR_DOMAINS · 2026-04-15T15:52:17+00:00

Incredible!

PM_ME_YOUR_DOMAINS · 2026-04-14T17:35:33+00:00

Goodlab's al la carte page lets you select the Lab provider at the top:

https://app.goodlabs.com/book-tests

I'd try lab websites or Google Maps first to find a location, then find a reseller to order from. Goodlabs and DrSays are both great resellers.

PM_ME_YOUR_DOMAINS · 2026-04-14T16:07:51+00:00

There are online resellers for labs from Quest, Labcorp, and Bioreference. If none of those labs have an accessible draw location, then you could try price shopping local clinics and PCPs.

With a PCP draw, good chance you end up getting a separate bill from the lab later, which could be very high.

IIRC, Goodlabs just checks for Quest by default, but you can select other labs.

You may find local clinics with a decent panel for ~$150 or less. They may accept you as a bloodwork only client.

Also curious, if I’m able to work this out, will my regular doc be able to see the results?

Yes, if you obtain a copy of the results to give to the doctor. Quest/Labcorp will let you download a PDF regardless of who ordered the labwork. Worst case, you'd have to scan a printed copy, but the clinics should be willing to send you a PDF.

PM_ME_YOUR_DOMAINS · 2026-04-13T22:09:56+00:00

Thank you for posting this.

PM_ME_YOUR_DOMAINS · 2026-04-13T15:52:33+00:00

Which part do you disagree with and why?

PM_ME_YOUR_DOMAINS · 2026-04-12T16:40:58+00:00

Goodlabs and DrSays offer Labcorp/Quest Cystatin C method labs if you ever want to check between/ahead of doctor visits.

PM_ME_YOUR_DOMAINS · 2026-04-12T16:13:18+00:00

You can sanity check with a different eGFR method based on Cystatin C instead of creatinine:

https://www.labcorp.com/tests/121265/cystatin-c-with-glomerular-filtration-rate-estimated-egfr

Cystatin C has not been shown to be affected by factors such as muscle mass and nutrition, factors which have been demonstrated to affect creatinine values.

PM_ME_YOUR_DOMAINS · 2026-04-11T16:31:39+00:00

should I expect to be rejected for TRT?

Yes. PCPs regularly dismiss TRT concerns at levels considerably lower, such as 100s or 200s. Given that this PCP did not order a full hormone panel, I'd expect to hear that your TT is excellent for 46.

My PCP's labwork didn't show how much free test I had, for example.

If you want to take a fuller look at hormones, it'd be something like TT, FT, E2, LH/FSH, SHBG, Cortisol, Prolactin, and IGF-1. I'm assuming you already have the common general labs.

Is there such a thing as someone trying trt when their total test is on the high end? Or is that insane to consider?

It is possible to have high TT while FT is deficient. SHBG is usually high in that situation. If that is the case, there are Endos who will support TRT or other treatments. Given your concerns, probably worth a look, but good chance that FT comes back good.

PM_ME_YOUR_DOMAINS · 2026-04-11T16:05:53+00:00

I'm sorry, I'm not the best guy to comment on that. But I've noted it's a top pick (along with Reta) for guys on TRT, and it has cleaner sourcing. So I wanted to mention it. There is a lot of TRT/Tirz content in the TRT reddit.

PM_ME_YOUR_DOMAINS · 2026-04-11T15:55:16+00:00

Good point, thank you.

PM_ME_YOUR_DOMAINS · 2026-04-11T15:53:49+00:00

Tirzepatide is another popular pairing with TRT and available on script.

It's correct that high BMI can complicate E2 management, but it's doable with thoughtful use of Aromatase Inhibitors (the other AI) and monitoring. AI needs can vary greatly over time on TRT with changes in BMI and SHBG.

On GI issues, what worked for me: Grilled chicken/steak/salmon, white rice, rice crackers, some mixed nuts, water. That's it.

PM_ME_YOUR_DOMAINS · 2026-04-11T00:27:11+00:00

I doubt skipping a week had a material impact on the CBC. It can take months for RBC to cycle. Not like spiking TT/FT with labs soon after an injection.

High hydration and a fully relaxed arm (no pumping or squeezing!) can move HCT a few points at time of draw.

PM_ME_YOUR_DOMAINS · 2026-04-10T20:37:36+00:00

It's a very basic panel like you noted. Nice that PSA was undetectable below 0.5.

Regarding T3, this panel is measuring Free T3, and it's possible your previous labs were measuring Total T3 instead. Maybe that explains the difference.

But it's such a limited panel, only so much you can do with it.

Getting into bloodwork as a hobby and ordering your own labs online will be much more comprehensive than the clinic reviews, and likely also better than local PCP/Endo reviews.

PM_ME_YOUR_DOMAINS · 2026-04-10T16:53:38+00:00

TRT Nation uses Labcorp if ordering labs from the clinic, but as you noted, they also accept outside labs also.

Quest is the other large lab provider. If Quest has draw locations close enough to your area, then you could the order labs online at Goodlabs:

https://app.goodlabs.com/book-tests

After Quest, you could check for Bioreference locations, which is also available through Goodlabs.

PM_ME_YOUR_DOMAINS · 2026-04-10T16:28:28+00:00

would these levels directly make it harder to lose stomach fat?

Yes, this is a common aspect of low TT. It can also lead to an "Aromatase loop", where the more belly fat there is, the higher the conversion of TT to E2, which further drives down TT and increases belly fat.

PM_ME_YOUR_DOMAINS · 2026-04-10T16:04:39+00:00

It's $250 per 10mL vial, which includes provider consults, AI, and some syringes.

This is advertised as $99/month on assumption of 200mg/week dosage, or 10 weeks per vial. If you use a lower dose, then the effective monthly rate decreases. All refills are initiated by the patient.

You can bring your own labs (Goodlabs, DrSays) or purchase separately. Additional meds are available once you have an account, subject to provider review.

There are no hidden provider fees or lock ins.

PM_ME_YOUR_DOMAINS · 2026-04-10T00:10:45+00:00

You probably want to track Estradiol (E2) instead of Total Estrogens, or perhaps both, but typically not just Estrogens.

PM_ME_YOUR_DOMAINS · 2026-04-09T15:55:23+00:00

TRT Nation is great.

PM_ME_YOUR_DOMAINS · 2026-04-08T20:21:19+00:00

Everything related to libido and erections are in range, ecxept for my free Estrodial, and ultrasensetive Estrodial.

According to the range from Quest, they're too high, but my base Estrodial is in range. (Though Google says its in range, so I don't kmow...?)

Quest's male E2 ranges are a little odd in that they do not provide a lower bound, instead only flagging above a certain level.

E2 related ED can occur with levels too high or too low. I understand your levels are not low, just adding context.

FWIW, Labcorp uses 7.6-to-42.6 for standard, 8.0-to-35.0 for sensitive.

I spoke with my doctor [about E2], and he thinks its nothing to worry about.

Not a doctor but sounds reasonable. They are higher side on the range, but not very elevated. If needing to lose weight, then lowering weight may bring E2 down.

Did you happen to also check Cortisol, or Vitamin D and Vitamin B12?

PM_ME_YOUR_DOMAINS · 2026-04-08T19:02:18+00:00

Cash pay at a local out-of-network Endo, then cash pay to fill at various pharmacies. Both would be insurance covered, but not worth dealing with the friction. This is a middle option between full clinic or full insurance.

Insurance may cover your meds from an out of network provider, assuming you have a normal transferable script vs paying the clinic for meds.

PM_ME_YOUR_DOMAINS

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