Male Hormone Blood Test Panel (4 Biomarkers Total & Free Testosterone & SHBG)
Biomarkers
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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.
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Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG)
A protein produced by the liver that binds to sex hormones, including testosterone and oestrogen, effectively making them inactive. High SHBG reduces the amount of testosterone available for the body to use, while low SHBG increases it.
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Free Testosterone
A calculated measure of the portion of testosterone not bound to proteins and immediately available for the body to use. Because it represents the active fraction, free testosterone is often a more accurate reflection of how testosterone is actually functioning in the body than total testosterone alone.
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Free Androgen Index (FAI)
Rather than a hormone itself, FAI is a calculated value that reveals how much testosterone is truly active in the body, as most testosterone is bound to SHBG and unavailable for use. In men it helps assess functional testosterone status, particularly when SHBG levels may be distorting the total testosterone reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are male hormones?
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Male hormones are hormones that help regulate growth, metabolism, reproduction, and many other essential body functions. Testosterone is the principal male sex hormone and is important for maintaining muscle mass and strength, bone density, fat distribution, libido, mood, energy levels, and red blood cell production. Other hormones, including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH), and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), work together to regulate testosterone production and the amount of active testosterone available to the body's tissues.
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What is a male hormone blood test?
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A male hormone test measures the key hormones that work together to govern your reproductive health, energy, mood, and physical wellbeing. Because these hormones operate as a network, a disruption in one can affect the others. Testing testosterone alongside LH, FSH, oestradiol, SHBG, and free androgen index gives a far more complete picture than measuring testosterone alone, and can help identify the root cause of symptoms rather than just flagging that something is off.
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What are the symptoms of a male hormone imbalance?
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The most common symptoms include low libido, fatigue, mood changes, difficulty sleeping, loss of muscle mass, increased body fat particularly around the abdomen, and erectile dysfunction. Because these symptoms overlap with many other conditions, they are easy to overlook or attribute to stress or ageing. Testing your hormone levels is the most reliable way to understand whether an imbalance is playing a role.
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What causes a male hormone imbalance?
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Testosterone levels naturally decline after the age of 30, but imbalances can occur at any age. Lifestyle factors including poor diet, being overweight, excessive alcohol, smoking, and chronic stress can all disrupt hormone production. Medical causes include hypogonadism, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, pituitary gland disorders, steroid overuse, and injury to the testes. In some cases there is no single identifiable cause, which is why a comprehensive panel is more informative than a single testosterone reading.
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What happens when testosterone is low in men?
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Low testosterone, clinically known as hypogonadism, can significantly affect both physical and mental health. Symptoms include reduced sex drive, fatigue, mood changes, and loss of muscle mass. Testosterone declines gradually with age in a process sometimes referred to as the male menopause, though unlike female menopause it happens slowly over many years. Some men are born with a deficiency, and in rare cases a sudden significant drop can occur, though this is uncommon.
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Does the test measure free or total testosterone?
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It measures both. Most testosterone in the bloodstream is bound to proteins such as SHBG and albumin, which renders it unavailable for the body to use. Free testosterone is the unbound portion that is actually active. Because total testosterone can appear normal while free levels are low, calculating free testosterone alongside SHBG gives a much more accurate picture of your true hormonal status.
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How can a male hormone imbalance be treated?
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This depends on the underlying cause and severity. Lifestyle changes including a balanced diet, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, quality sleep, and stress management can all support hormone balance. Where levels are significantly low, a GP may recommend testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), which is available as injections, skin gels, patches, or oral tablets. Any treatment should be guided by a doctor and monitored with regular testing.
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Can I test my hormones if I am already on TRT?
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Yes, and it is recommended. Monitoring your levels while on testosterone replacement therapy helps ensure your dose is appropriate and that other hormones such as oestradiol and LH remain in balance. It is best to time your test according to your treatment schedule so that results reflect a consistent point in your cycle.
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At what age should men check their hormone levels?
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There is no fixed age, but men who are experiencing symptoms such as persistent fatigue, low mood, reduced libido, or unexplained changes in body composition at any age may benefit from testing. Testosterone begins to decline gradually from around the age of 30, so a baseline test in your thirties can be useful for tracking changes over time. Men actively trying to conceive, those on TRT, or anyone with a relevant medical history should test regularly regardless of age.
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Turnaround Time
TURNAROUND TIME
THIS IS NOT A GUARANTEED TURNAROUND TIME.
We are extremely proud of our very short turnaround times and a very efficient laboratory processes, you will start receiving results as soon as they are available and have completed clinical validation.
Whilst we accommodate the shortest of time scales, with some results available within hours, for this particular test the usual turnaround time is: 1-2 working days.
Test Preparation
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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
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Symptoms of Low Testosterone
Low testosterone can affect both men and women, though the symptoms may present differently. In men, common signs include persistent fatigue, reduced sex drive, difficulty building or maintaining muscle mass, increased body fat, low mood or depression, poor concentration, and reduced bone density.
Some men also notice erectile dysfunction or a decline in morning erections.
In women, low testosterone can cause low libido, fatigue, reduced muscle tone, difficulty with concentration and memory, low mood, and a general loss of motivation or sense of wellbeing. Because many of these symptoms overlap with other conditions, such as thyroid disorders, anaemia, or depression, a blood test is the most reliable way to confirm whether low testosterone is a contributing factor.
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High Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)
When SHBG is elevated, more testosterone and oestrogen are bound and unavailable for the body to use. Symptoms can include fatigue, low libido, low mood, reduced muscle mass, brain fog, poor motivation, and difficulty building or maintaining strength, even when total hormone levels appear normal on paper. -
Low Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)
When SHBG is low, more testosterone circulates freely in the bloodstream, increasing androgen activity. Symptoms can include acne, oily skin, excess facial or body hair, scalp hair thinning, irregular periods, weight gain, and in women an increased risk of insulin resistance and PCOS.
Result Report
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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.
Biomarkers/Parameters tested with this male hormone panel/profile test kit:
Total Testosterone
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)
Free Testosterone
Free Androgen Index (FAI)
Easily collect a small blood sample at home using the included finger-prick kit and send the sample tube to our CQC-regulated laboratory for analysis. You will receive a detailed lab report within 1–3 days of sample receipt, delivered securely as a PDF.
Male Hormone & Testosterone Test
Testosterone and other male hormones are essential for energy, muscle strength, sexual health, mood, and overall vitality. Low testosterone levels can contribute to a variety of symptoms, including:
Persistent fatigue or low energy
Hair thinning or hair loss
Reduced libido or diminished sex drive
Erectile difficulties or sexual performance issues
Mood changes such as anxiety or depression
Increased body fat or loss of muscle mass
Testosterone naturally declines with age, typically starting in the late 30s or early 40s, but other factors can affect hormone levels, including obesity, uncontrolled diabetes, excessive alcohol intake, certain medications, and intense exercise.
How This Male Hormone Test Works
This test measures total testosterone and free testosterone, the fraction that is fully bioavailable and active for your body. It also evaluates Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG), the protein that binds testosterone and regulates its availability. Measuring both total and free testosterone provides a clear view of hormone balance and how effectively your testosterone is supporting your body’s key functions.
Who This Test Is For
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Men experiencing low energy, hair thinning, or reduced libido
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Those concerned about muscle strength, mood, or overall hormonal balance
When a healthcare provider suspects low or high testosterone levels, they typically start by measuring total testosterone. If results indicate low levels, a free testosterone test may be performed for further insight. To read more about free testosterone and its measurement read this summary.
What is the difference between Testosterone and Free Testosterone?
In the UK, management of menopause is primarily handled by general practitioners (GPs). However, the same level of oversight is not commonly observed for Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome (TDS), also referred to as late-onset hypogonadism (LOH), androgen deficiency in the aging male (ADAM), or andropause. Testosterone levels can begin to decline in men as young as 40 years old, decreasing at a rate of approximately 1% per year. Nonetheless, not all men will experience low testosterone levels. While the precise prevalence of low testosterone in men remains uncertain, it is estimated to affect around 25% of the aging male population and is frequently associated with declining health and underlying medical conditions. To read more about testosterone deficiency syndrome and testosterone replacement therapy, please refer to a summary of an article by Cervoni.
How it works
Order test online
Collect a few drops at home
Return sample to the lab
