Labcorp's new test ranges

"Effective July 17, 2017 the LabCorp reference range for total testosterone measurement in adult males will be changing (DECREASING) to 264 - 916 ng/dL (previously 348 - 1197 ng/dL). Please note the METHODOLOGY for the assay is not changing in any way, only the reference range is changing.

Reasons for this change, as cited by LabCorp, include pressure from the CDC for standardization (harmonization) across labs of testosterone reference range and, ultimately, a different study/patient population used for the two ranges. The low end cut-off for both ranges is the bottom 2.5 percentile of the patient population. As stated by LabCorp, "the lower numeric range in the new standardized reference interval reflects a difference in average subjects with higher BMIs as well as harmonization to the CDC reference method". This is essentially stating higher BMIs (overweight) is the new norm and the new testosterone reference range is taking this into account with a "lower numeric range". Indeed, this is a step AWAY from normal, let alone optimal.

As I already know what OPTIMAL testosterone levels are for most males (based upon treating over 10,000 of them), this simple change in reference range is not going to negatively impact our patients. However, I fear this change is going to lead to even more men walking in to their PCP or other provider with classic hypogonadal symptoms but T levels "in range" (now all the way down to 264!) and being told they're "normal" and given an SSRI + Viagra and sent out the door to continue to suffer."- Justin Saya, M.D.

Holy fuck, that's ridiculous. I was suffering from low testosterone when I was younger and was barely within range, my doctor said that was normal. How the hell is being in the bottom 3 percentile close to normal?

Total BS, like how they lower total cholesterol's "low range" so people need to be below 200 now rather than 220. (So they prescribe even more statins).
Throw people on statins that totally destroy testosterone levels, but lower the test level so its now normal to be very low.

Garbage...

I was lucky. The first time I got tested for low T it came back at 320ng/dl. Doctor wrote me a script, no questions asked.

The VA reference range is even lower. Somewhere in the mid 100s I believe. I was always 190-230ish through my early 20s. Sucked

Holy crap. When I was at 290 or so I had no libido. I could technically "function," but I had no interest. I went TRT when my wife said she felt like she was "molesting" me. I made an appointment right after that.




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Told the doctor somebody was touching me in my private place . . .

Geez...this is why I choose to take ownership of my health. I refuse to let others in the medical community dictate what is normal.

jerseydevil said:

I was lucky. The first time I got tested for low T it came back at 320ng/dl. Doctor wrote me a script, no questions asked.

Click to expand...

Its really great when you find a doc that knows what he's doing. That's why I switched my trt to Dr.B

The emasculation of American males continues!

Hope most docs will start to use Quest/some other lab instead of LabCorp with some higher ranges if that's what he's looking for.

Wow how sad maybe in ten more years they want us all to have testosterone at normal ranges from 100 to 400 as optimal this is fucked
I was at low 200s and felt miserable now that is considered normal just isnt right

This just another way to not let men be men. We should be more sensitive

Not surprised. The system continuing to screw the masses.

What the hell!

I just saw a study on Army recruits in the 1940's and the range went up to 1400 and started at like 450-500. A few generations ago those were the normal numbers. Crazy shit going on.

This is an outrage and why change the Testosterone reference ranges? Now it puts me at well within normal range with my current value of 510 (at age 53)but not complaining about it (got bloods done thru LabCorp). So all this is just a money grab IMO.

Reading some of these posts makes me be glad I was in the 430 range with my recent test. But my doc said anything under 400 he would scrip me something. Still feel as 430 is not enough.

Yes this is real

When I worked with Endo's this was my biggest argument with them. They would refuse to treat a patient that was 300nanos. I would advise them of all of the side effects and various issues that were consistent with low levels and the answer was always the same. They didn't want the DEA on their back, and they didn't want to "lose their licenses". Any good endo knows what this is...just as we do.
None of them are willing to risk losing their jobs to treat a patient.

Also they Punish Past Anabolic users, instead of helping them. I know when I got my HRT script many years back I had to do 6 months of clean bloodwork in range, before they would prescribe me.

My advice to new patients or athletes, going to request HRT..if the doctor asks you if you have ever used anabolics or prohormones previously...the answer is always no. You cannot trust these Doctors nowadays. They are owned by the entire system.