Together, these tests offer an in-depth look at how well your hormones are supporting your lifestyle. Hormones play a key role in men's health and wellbeing, affecting mood, energy, sleep, sex drive and fertility. Doing this test can provide reassurance or identify areas to improve, with confidential advice from our team of doctors.
Thyroid hormones affect the function of certain cells in your testes, which can lead to several complications. For example, men may be more noticeably affected by a loss of muscle mass caused by hyperthyroidism, and osteoporosis, triggered by an overactive thyroid, may also take men by surprise, as this bone-thinning disease is most often associated with women.
This is what the test will measure:
Testosterone
While commonly regarded as the primary male sex hormone, testosterone is also important for bone density, libido, body fat distribution, and supporting muscle mass. This test can serve as a first step in helping you understand any symptoms of high or low testosterone that you may be experiencing.
Free Testosterone
Free testosterone is the unbound form of testosterone in your body.
It is a small but important component of the total testosterone in a man’s body and is responsible for key cellular functions such as cell replication.
SHBG
SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) controls how much testosterone is being delivered to the body's tissues. SHBG levels can show if there is too much or too little testosterone being used by the body.
Estradiol
An estradiol test measures the amount of the hormone estradiol in your blood. Estradiol, the predominant form of estrogen, plays a critical role in male sexual function. Estradiol in men is essential for modulating libido, erectile function, and spermatogenesis.
DHEA-s
DHEA-s is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, and its levels are an indicator of adrenal function and exposure to stressors. Its production is highest in the late teens to early 20s and declines gradually with age. Constant exposure to stressors has serious implications for long-term health, including an increased risk of cancer and possibly Alzheimer’s disease.
FSH
In men, a follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) test may be done to evaluate a low sperm count, assess hypogonadism or assess testicular dysfunction.
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
LH is a hormone produced by the anterior pituitary that is essential for reproduction in both men and women. LH stimulates the production of testosterone and, therefore, measuring LH levels is helpful for the clinical assessment of infertility. Low LH levels in men can result in hypogonadism and insufficient sperm production.
Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone
Thyroid-stimulating hormone, or TSH, is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland and is responsible for controlling the production of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4. The hormone TSH is considered the most sensitive marker for screening for thyroid diseases and conditions.
Free T3
T3 (triiodothyronine) is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland. While it is less abundant than T4, T3 is considered the more active of these two thyroid hormones. Together, these two thyroid hormones help determine the rate at which every cell in the body uses energy.
Free T4
T4 (thyroxine) is the predominant hormone produced by the thyroid gland. Together, T3 and T4 help determine the rate at which every cell in the body uses energy.
T3 (total)
T3 exists in two forms in the blood: Bound T3, which is attached to proteins that help transport T3 through the body, and Free T3, the less abundant form, that circulates unattached. The T3 total test, the most common type of T3 blood test, measures both the bound and free forms of T3.
T4 (total)
Total T4 measures both bound and unbound T4. and is a measure of the total amount of thyroxine in the blood, which is primarily produced by the thyroid gland. A total T4 test can help diagnose hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, monitor thyroid hormone replacement therapy, and identify thyroid problems in children. It can also provide insight into the overall health of the thyroid gland and help guide further diagnostic testing or treatment.
Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) Antibodies
Thyroid peroxidase antibodies are antibodies that can bind to thyroid enzymes, suppressing thyroid function. If TPO antibodies are elevated, this could be suggestive of an autoimmune condition.