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Testosterone hormone blood tests
Low testosterone in men is more common than you might imagine and can have a significant impact on your health and quality of life. To find out if you might have testosterone deficiency we provide simple testosterone blood tests. To see if you would benefit from a testosterone hormone test, answer the following questions: Do you suffer from any of the following? - Lack of sexual desire (lack of libido) - Not able to maintain your erection during sex (the erectile dysfunction) - Lack of a morning erection (‘not like they used to be’) - Loss of muscle bulk and your body fat increased? - Have you been diagnosed with osteoporosis? If any of these apply, it's possible that you have testosterone deficiency and you should consider getting your testosterone levels checked. Once you reach your mid-30s, your testosterone levels decrease by about 1% per year, so many men have this gradual decline in both their testosterone levels and their functional activities without realising it. It's thought that only about 5% to 35% of men with testosterone deficiency actually receive treatment for their condition*. You might also consider having our diabetes and thyroid test as you often have similar symptoms with these conditions.
What's included in this testosterone blood test?
We’ll measure your total testosterone levels; this consists of not only the free testosterone circulating in your blood but also the testosterone that's attached to a protein called sex hormone binding globulin. Testosterone is a male hormone produced by your testes. It's important for determining your male characteristics but women also produce it in small quantities and it plays an important role in their sexual desire. Testosterone defines male characteristics, such as facial body hair, deep voice but also has functions in: - Regulating your sexual drive - Improving muscle mass and strength - Keeping your bones strong and healthy - Producing sperm
Testosterone
This is a protein produced by your liver and carries testosterone around the body. Some of the total testosterone that you produce is attached to SHBG, but some of it’s freely circulating in your blood. It's this free circulating testosterone that’s biologically active and not the attached testosterone. Sometimes your total testosterone is at the lower limit of normal range and we need to know the SHBG level to calculate the amount of free testosterone which better reflects what is biologically active.
Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG)
LH is a hormone produced by a pea-sized gland situated at the base of the brain. It stimulates your testes to make testosterone.
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
FSH is also a hormone produced by the pituitary gland (also located at the base of your brain) that plays an important part in the production of sperm.
Follicular stimulating hormone (FSH)
Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland. This is a pea sized gland found at the base of your brain. High levels of prolactin can cause problems with erections and lower your sexual drive. It can also be elevated in benign tumours of the pituitary gland as well as certain drugs, such as antidepressants and antipsychotics.
Prolactin
Testosterone blood test results
Normal testosterone levels in men can vary by age and you'll receive a result with the appropriate reference range. You’ll receive a doctor reviewed report showing the normal levels and whether your results are within this normal range. If your results are outside of the normal range for your age, we’ll recommend you to contact your GP for further assessment. You’ll also receive personalised recommendations on how to stay healthy.
How it works
We're a team of trained experts
Experts in Infectious Diseases, General and Travel Medicine
Over 21 years of experience in Travel Health
Cared for more than
10,000 patients
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Frequently asked questions
This is a quick blood test so it should only take 10 - 15 minutes.
You don’t need to worry about bringing anything to your testosterone hormone test. We do recommend that you are well hydrated before coming for your test (it should only be water). If it’s a cool day bring plenty of warm clothing as this makes it easier for our team to take the blood test.
Yes, this is a not fasting blood test which means you can eat and drink before you attend.
Our blood results usually take 1 - 3 working days.
Normal testosterone levels in men tend to vary with age, so you receive a result with ranges that are appropriate for your age. Any results outside the normal range are reviewed by our doctors and shared with you through our secure online portal. We’ll ask you to contact your GP for further assessment but if it’s urgent then we’ll call you, so please make sure you give us a contact number when you book your appointment.
Please try and book a morning appointment as the amount of testosterone that you produce tends to vary during the day. It peaks at about 9 am, so this is the ideal time.
Authors:
Dr Ravi Gowda, Consultant in Infectious Diseases and Travel Medicine
MBBS, MRCP(UK), DTM&H, MRCGP, DCH, DRCOG, DFFP
Caitlin Lancaster, BSc