Free Androgen Index (FAI)

FAI measures your body's available male hormones, helping to spot imbalances that affect health and mood.

📋 About This Biomarker

The Free Androgen Index is like the dashboard gauge that shows how much 'male hormone' juice is actually fueling your system. It's a ratio that compares the total testosterone (the gas) to the protein that usually holds onto it (the tank). This index helps us understand how much testosterone is free to rev up things like muscle growth, libido, and energy levels. It’s crucial for diagnosing hormonal imbalances, especially in conditions where too much or too little testosterone could throw a wrench in everything from your physical fitness to your emotional well-being.

🎯 Why We Test This

Checking your FAI is like peeking under the hood if your hormonal engine feels off. It's particularly important if you're experiencing symptoms like unexplained weight gain, fatigue, hair loss, or changes in sex drive. This test can shine a spotlight on issues like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women or hormone imbalances in men, guiding targeted treatments to get your hormonal health back on track.

⚠️ What Affects It

Your Free Androgen Index can be influenced by a number of factors including your age, body mass, overall health, and lifestyle. Things like diet, exercise, stress, and any medications can significantly alter androgen levels, so keeping a close eye on these can help manage your hormonal health effectively.

📈 How to Improve

Tuning your FAI is about finding the right balance - too much or too little can throw off your body’s rhythm. High levels call for cutting back on things that might spike your hormones, like certain supplements or intense exercise regimes. For low levels, consider a diet rich in zinc and magnesium, sleep well, and incorporate strength training to help boost your hormone production. Regular check-ups can help keep your levels tuned just right.

📊 Understanding Your Results (%)

Low (< 14.5 %)
Low FAI can make it feel like someone's pulled the plug on your energy. It can lead to significant challenges like muscle weakness, bone density issues, and a lackluster libido. Addressing this often requires more than just lifestyle changes; it might mean discussing hormone therapy or other treatments with your healthcare provider.
Optimal (14.5 - 80.3 %)
Middle of the road means you're in the clear - your body's androgen levels are perfectly balanced, contributing to optimal muscle tone, stable mood, and healthy sexual function. Keeping in this zone means you’re likely feeling good and your body is humming along just right. Cruising near the upper limit? It's time to ease off the gas. You might notice minor signs of high androgen levels, like oily skin or a bit more edge in your mood. This is your cue to maybe adjust lifestyle factors that can naturally lower hormone levels, like tweaking your diet or modifying your workout routine. Just above idle on your androgen gauge? It's a sign to maybe step up your game. Low-normal androgen levels can lead to a drop in energy, decreased muscle mass, and a cooler libido. It’s a good time to consider boosting your physical activity or looking at nutritional support to help nudge those levels up.
High (> 80.3 %)
If the FAI is higher than normal, it means there is more free, active testosterone available in the body than usual. In women, this can lead to symptoms like excess hair growth on the face or body (hirsutism), acne, oily skin, irregular menstrual periods, or difficulties with fertility. It may indicate conditions such as PCOS or other hormonal imbalances. In men, a high FAI is less common it can be benign or could be due to certain medical conditions or the use of anabolic steroids. Identifying high FAI levels helps in diagnosing underlying issues and planning appropriate treatments
Also known as: FAI, FAI re-std.