Biomarkers

1. Total Testosterone

   The primary male sex hormone, testosterone drives muscle mass, bone density, libido, energy, and mood in men, with levels declining naturally with age. Women produce it too, just in much smaller amounts, where it plays an equally important role in bone strength, sexual drive, and energy. Elevated levels in women can point to conditions such as PCOS.

2. Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG)

   SHBG is a protein that binds to sex hormones in the bloodstream, effectively putting them on hold. In men, high SHBG means less free testosterone is available, which can produce all the classic symptoms of low testosterone even when total levels look perfectly normal on paper. For women, the picture is more nuanced: low SHBG is commonly linked to insulin resistance and PCOS, while abnormally high levels can suppress both oestrogen and testosterone activity, quietly affecting mood, libido, and energy.

3. Luteinising Hormone (LH)

   In women, LH has a different but equally critical job: it triggers ovulation each month. Persistently high levels can indicate PCOS or premature ovarian insufficiency, while a well-timed surge is confirmation that ovulation is happening as it should.
   
   In men, LH acts as a messenger, travelling from the brain to signal the testes to produce testosterone. When something goes wrong, measuring LH helps pinpoint whether the problem lies in the testes themselves or higher up in the signalling chain.

4. Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

   In women, FSH governs the development of ovarian follicles each cycle and is one of the most informative markers of ovarian reserve. Rising FSH, particularly alongside falling oestradiol, is strongly associated with perimenopause and the natural decline in egg supply that comes with
   
   FSH is central to reproductive function in both sexes, though it works differently in each. In men it drives sperm production, and raised levels are often an early indicator of testicular dysfunction or fertility issues.

5. Free Testosterone

   Most testosterone in the bloodstream is bound to proteins and unavailable for the body to use.Most testosterone in the bloodstream is bound to proteins and unavailable for the body to use. In men, even when total testosterone looks normal, low free levels can still cause fatigue, low mood, and reduced muscle tone.
   
   In women, excess free testosterone tends to show up as acne, unwanted hair growth, and irregular periods, often pointing to an underlying hormonal imbalance.

6. Oestradiol

   Often thought of as purely a female hormone, oestradiol is present in men too, where it quietly supports joint health, brain function, and bone maintenance. Problems arise when levels climb too high, which can lead to low libido, mood changes, and fat accumulation around the chest. In women it takes centre stage, regulating the menstrual cycle and protecting bone and cardiovascular health throughout reproductive life. The drop in oestradiol during perimenopause and menopause is what drives many of the most recognisable symptoms, from hot flushes to mood shifts.
   

7. Free Androgen Index (FAI)

   Rather than a hormone itself, FAI is a calculated ratio, dividing total testosterone by SHBG to reveal how much androgen is truly active in the body. In men it offers a more reliable measure of functional testosterone status than total testosterone alone, particularly when SHBG is skewing the picture. In women, a raised FAI is a useful marker of androgen excess and frequently appears in cases of PCOS and other conditions where hormonal balance has shifted.

8. Prolactin

   Produced by the pituitary gland, prolactin is present and active in both sexes. In women, raised prolactin outside of pregnancy and breastfeeding can disrupt the menstrual cycle, suppress ovulation, and cause unexplained milk production, making it an important marker for anyone experiencing irregular periods or difficulty conceiving.
   
   In men, elevated levels suppress testosterone production, contributing to low libido, erectile dysfunction, and fatigue.
   

Frequently Asked Questions

Turnaround Time

Test Preparation

• Ultimate Comprehensive Male Hormone Panel

  Proper preparation is vital for an accurate reading. As some of the biomarkers such as testosterone fluctuates throughout the day, you must collect your blood sample before 10:00 AM when levels are at their natural peak. Additionally, you should avoid fatty meals 6 hours prior to collection, as consuming high-fat foods can cause lipaemia, a condition where excess fat particles enter the bloodstream, making the sample appear cloudy or milky. This cloudiness can interfere with the laboratory's optical analysis equipment, producing unreliable results or causing the sample to be rejected entirely, requiring you to repeat the test. You should also avoid strenuous exercise the night before.

• TRT Gel

  If you use hormonal gels, always wear gloves when applying them. Do not test on the same day as application, as these products contain a very high concentration of hormone that can linger under the fingernails for several days and contaminate your sample, falsely elevating your results. Allow 4 to 5 consecutive days without application before testing.
  
  To further reduce the risk of contamination when collecting your sample, we recommend the following: shower before testing and scrub your fingernails thoroughly with a nail brush to remove any hormonal residue, clipping your nails short if possible. Wear freshly laundered clothes and use a clean towel, as hormone gel can transfer onto fabric and back onto your hands without you realising, which can be enough to affect your results.
  
  Please note that if you are using a hormonal gel on prescription, do not pause your treatment without speaking to your prescriber first. Your GP or prescribing clinician can advise on the safest way to time your test around your treatment schedule.

Symptom Check

• Erectile dysfunction

• Low Mood and Mental Wellbeing

  Nutrient deficiencies can have a significant impact on mood and mental clarity. Vitamin D plays a direct role in the production of serotonin, the neurotransmitter closely linked to mood regulation, and low levels are consistently associated with low mood, anxiety, and seasonal depression. B12 and folate are both essential for healthy neurological function, and deficiency in either can contribute to irritability, poor concentration, brain fog, and in more severe cases depressive symptoms. Low ferritin can also affect mood indirectly, as the fatigue and reduced oxygen delivery it causes can leave you feeling flat, unmotivated, and mentally sluggish.

• Libido Issues

• Hair Loss

  Hair loss can be associated with several nutritional and hormonal deficiencies, including low ferritin, folate, vitamin D, and thyroid hormone levels. Each can contribute in different ways
  
  Low ferritin (iron stores):
  May cause increased hair shedding, reduced hair density, and slower regrowth due to reduced oxygen delivery to hair follicles.
  
  Low folate:
  Can contribute to diffuse hair thinning and poor hair quality, as folate is important for DNA synthesis and cell division in rapidly growing tissues like hair follicles.
  
  Low vitamin D:
  Often associated with increased shedding and reduced hair follicle cycling, potentially leading to thinning or delayed regrowth.
  
  Abnormal thyroid function:
  Diffuse hair shedding (not patchy)
  Dry, coarse, brittle hair texture
  Thinning of the outer third of the eyebrows (a classic clinical sign)
  Slower hair growth due to reduced follicular cycling and metabolic activity
  
  Each of these conditions can contribute to hair loss, and more than one deficiency may be present at the same time.

• Fatigue and Low Energy

  Persistent tiredness that does not improve with rest is one of the most common signs of nutrient deficiency. Low ferritin reduces the body's ability to transport oxygen efficiently, leaving you feeling drained and breathless even with minimal exertion. Low B12 and folate impair red blood cell production, compounding this effect and contributing to weakness and poor stamina. Vitamin D deficiency is also strongly associated with fatigue, muscle weakness, and a general sense of heaviness that can be difficult to attribute to any single cause. If you are experiencing unexplained and persistent tiredness, nutrient levels are one of the first things worth investigating.

Result Report

• Result Report (in-use)

  The final report provides a comprehensive breakdown of your biomarkers, displaying your specific levels alongside standard UK reference ranges to show exactly where you fall on the spectrum. Beyond just the raw numbers, the report includes a brief commentary.
  

  
  View your results in a clear, easy-to-understand format with charts and reference ranges. If you repeat the same biomarkers with us, your report includes historical comparisons to help track changes, trends, and progress over time.