Free testosterone is the active portion of testosterone that circulates unbound by proteins like SHBG, making it directly available to your tissues. It influences muscle strength, energy, mood, libido, and fat metabolism, playing a vital role in both physical performance and long-term health.

Low free testosterone can lead to fatigue, increased fat, and reduced muscle even when total testosterone appears normal, while excessively high levels may bring their own risks. Because of this, measuring free testosterone provides a clearer picture of hormonal balance than total testosterone alone.

This guide explains what it is, how it works, what your results mean, and how you can book a comprehensive blood test to check your Free Testosterone.

What is Free Testosterone?

Free testosterone is the portion of testosterone in your blood that isn’t attached to proteins like SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin). Think of total testosterone as all the money in your bank account, while free testosterone is the cash in your pocket—you can actually use it right away. Because it’s not bound, free testosterone is biologically active and able to act directly on your muscles, brain, and other tissues.

This hormone supports muscle strength, mood, energy, libido, and fat metabolism. Having the right balance helps keep body composition healthy and motivation steady. Low free testosterone may cause fatigue, reduced muscle mass, or weight gain, while high levels may bring skin issues or cardiovascular risks. Measuring free testosterone gives a clearer picture of your hormonal health than total testosterone alone, making it an important marker for men’s health and metabolism.

Quick facts about Free Testosterone:

• It’s the active form of testosterone available to your tissues.
• Levels can be low even if total testosterone looks normal.
• Testing helps identify hormonal imbalances affecting energy, mood, and body composition.

Because of this, checking free testosterone is often more useful than relying on total testosterone alone.

Why Free Testosterone Is Important?

Free testosterone is the hormone fraction your body can actively use. Because it influences muscle, fat, mood, and metabolism, its balance is key to health and longevity.

Low free testosterone is strongly linked with:

• Metabolic disorders & diabetes: Men with lower testosterone often show insulin resistance and higher risk of metabolic syndrome.
• Cardiovascular risk: Studies show that low free testosterone predicts higher rates of death from cardiovascular disease in older men.
• Muscle & bone decline: Inadequate active testosterone can impair muscle maintenance and bone health, especially as men age.

Because free testosterone reflects the biologically available hormone fraction, it often reveals imbalances that total testosterone alone might hide. By measuring it, men gain actionable insight to support energy, body composition, and long-term metabolic health.

When should you get a Free Testosterone test?

A Free Testosterone blood test can provide important insights into your hormonal balance. You may consider testing if you experience any of the following situations or risk factors:

• Persistent symptoms such as fatigue, low energy, reduced muscle mass, mood changes, or low libido.
• Family history of hormonal or metabolic disorders, especially conditions like diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
• Chronic health conditions including obesity, type 2 diabetes, or metabolic syndrome, which are often linked to lower testosterone levels.
• Men planning for fertility testing or treatment, since free testosterone plays a role in reproductive health.
• Women with irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, or symptoms of androgen excess such as acne or excess hair growth.
• Routine monitoring under GP referral if you’re already being treated for hormonal imbalance or related conditions.

This test is often ordered alongside other key markers such as total testosterone, SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin), and LH (luteinising hormone) for a clearer picture of hormonal health.

How does the Free Testosterone test work in Australia?

A Free Testosterone blood test is a pathology test that measures the proportion of testosterone not bound to proteins, i.e. the biologically active form. Your doctor (GP or specialist) orders the test, a phlebotomist draws a blood sample (typically from your arm), and it's analysed in a certified lab.

Preparation

• It’s common to fast (no food or drink except water) for 8–12 hours before hormone and related metabolic tests.
• The test is often done in the morning, when hormone levels are more stable.
• You can usually continue your regular medications unless told otherwise; always confirm with your GP or pathology centre.

Medicare coverage vs private cost

• Many pathology tests, including hormone tests, are rebate-eligible under Medicare when ordered by a GP or specialist for a valid medical reason.
• Under the MBS (Medicare Benefits Schedule), “free or total testosterone, SHBG, free testosterone” is included in Item 66695, with a schedule fee of AUD 30.50 (Medicare benefit portion ~ 75 % or 85 %).
• If done privately (outside of Medicare rebate), the Free Testosterone test cost Australia (or hormone panel) ranges—e.g. one private provider lists “Free & Total Testosterone + E2” for AUD 88.
• Additional costs (collection fees, panel add-ons) might apply.

Access via comprehensive panels

Many providers offer comprehensive blood test panels that bundle free testosterone with total testosterone, SHBG, LH, FSH and related metabolic markers. For example, private online services allow you to order hormone panels directly (no GP referral) through accredited labs. 

These combined panels give a fuller picture of hormone balance rather than measuring free testosterone alone.

What do my results mean?

Your Free Testosterone results show how much active testosterone is available for your body to use. Results are measured in pmol/L, and values outside the normal range can point to different health concerns.

Use the table below as a simple guide. Always discuss your results with a doctor, as other tests such as total testosterone, SHBG, and LH can help give a clearer picture of your hormone health.

Low free testosterone may explain symptoms like fatigue, low libido, reduced muscle mass, or mood changes. High levels, while less common, can lead to acne, excess hair growth, or cardiovascular risks.

Doctors often check related markers such as Total Testosterone, SHBG, and LH to understand the full hormonal picture.

Free Testosterone in context (other relevant tests)

A Free Testosterone test is most useful when viewed alongside other hormone markers. On its own, it shows the amount of biologically active testosterone, but related tests provide the “bigger picture” of why levels may be high or low.

Doctors often combine Free Testosterone with:

• Total Testosterone: Measures all testosterone in the blood, both bound and unbound. Comparing this with free testosterone can reveal whether binding proteins are affecting availability.
• SHBG (Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin): Shows how much testosterone is being carried but not usable. High SHBG can lower free testosterone even if total levels are normal.
• LH (Luteinising Hormone): Helps assess whether the brain is signalling properly to the testes to produce testosterone.
• FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone): Useful in fertility and reproductive health assessments.

Looking at these markers together gives a clearer picture of hormonal balance, helping to identify whether symptoms are due to low production, high binding, or another underlying issue. This combined approach supports more accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

Lifestyle and practical steps

Free testosterone levels can be influenced by everyday choices in diet, sleep, stress, and exercise. While genetics and medical conditions play a role, healthy habits often support better balance and overall wellbeing.

1. Balanced nutrition: Include foods rich in zinc (meat, legumes, nuts) and vitamin D (oily fish, fortified foods) to support hormone production. Limit processed foods, alcohol, and added sugar to reduce metabolic risks that can lower free testosterone.
2. Regular exercise: Resistance training and high-intensity workouts help increase testosterone, while maintaining a healthy weight reduces SHBG, leaving more testosterone available in its active form.
3. Quality sleep: Aim for 7–9 hours each night. Studies show less than 6 hours of sleep may lower testosterone, making rest an essential part of hormonal balance.
4. Stress management: High stress raises cortisol, which can suppress free testosterone. Relaxation strategies like meditation, yoga, or daily outdoor walks help keep levels in check.
5. Healthy lifestyle overall: Combining good nutrition, activity, rest, and stress reduction builds a strong foundation for hormone health and long-term wellbeing.

The best starting point is testing — once you know your levels, you can take personalised steps.

FAQs about Free Testosterone Test in Australia

What is a Free Testosterone blood test?

A Free Testosterone blood test measures the unbound, biologically active testosterone in your blood. Unlike total testosterone, it shows the hormone directly available to your tissues.

How much does a Free Testosterone test cost in Australia?

If ordered by a GP for medical reasons, Medicare may cover most or all of the cost. Privately, the Free Testosterone test cost in Australia usually ranges from $50 to $100, depending on the provider and whether it is part of a larger hormone panel.

Does Medicare cover Free Testosterone testing?

Yes, Medicare provides rebates for testosterone and related hormone tests when requested by a GP or specialist for clinical reasons. Out-of-pocket costs apply if you book privately without referral.

Do I need a referral for a Free Testosterone test?

You need a GP or specialist referral if you want Medicare rebates. Some private providers let you order tests directly, but these are not Medicare-funded.

Can women take a Free Testosterone test?

Yes, women may have this test if symptoms suggest androgen excess, such as acne, excess hair growth, or irregular periods. It’s also used in fertility assessments.

What symptoms suggest low Free Testosterone?

Symptoms may include fatigue, low libido, reduced muscle mass, weight gain, mood changes, or difficulty concentrating.

What is the normal Free Testosterone range?

In adult men, the reference range is roughly 255–725 pmol/L. Levels below or above this range may indicate hormonal imbalance and should be discussed with a doctor.

Conclusion

Free testosterone is the active form of testosterone that directly influences your energy, muscle strength, mood, libido, and metabolism. Unlike total testosterone, which includes both bound and unbound hormone, free testosterone reflects what your body can actually use. This makes it a powerful marker for understanding hormonal health in both men and women.

Testing your free testosterone can reveal imbalances that may otherwise go unnoticed, even if total testosterone looks normal. Low levels are often linked with fatigue, weight gain, reduced muscle mass, or low mood, while high levels may signal other health concerns. By checking your levels, you gain clearer insights into how your hormones are functioning and whether further steps are needed to optimise your wellbeing.

Knowledge is empowering. Understanding your free testosterone helps you make informed choices that support your long-term health and metabolic balance.

Take control of your health today. Sign up for our comprehensive blood test and get clear insights into your Free Testosterone and more than 50 other key markers.

References

• RACGP. Assessment and management of male androgen disorders: an update. Australian Family Physician / RACGP.
• Healthdirect Australia. Testosterone blood test — how it works, when to test, preparation.
• Australian Prescriber. Low testosterone in men.
• Healthy Male (Australia). Androgen deficiency clinical summary guide.
• Medical Journal of Australia. Endocrine Society of Australia position statement — male hypogonadism.