Male hormone panel, complete.

• Total testosteroneTotal T

  All the testosterone in the blood, both the part carried by proteins and the small part that circulates free. It is highest in the morning, which is why it is usually drawn early.

• Free testosteroneFree T

  The small share of testosterone that is not bound to proteins. Labs measure it directly or calculate it from total testosterone, SHBG and albumin.

• Sex hormone binding globulinSHBG

  A protein made by the liver that carries testosterone and estradiol in the blood. How much there is changes how much testosterone is free.

• EstradiolE2

  The main form of estrogen. Men make it too, mostly by converting testosterone in body tissues.

• Follicle stimulating hormoneFSH

  Also made by the pituitary gland. In men it supports sperm production.

• Luteinizing hormoneLH

  Made by the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. It signals the testes to make testosterone.

• DHEA sulfateDHEA S

  A hormone made mostly by the adrenal glands that the body can turn into other hormones, including testosterone and estrogen.

• DHEA, unconjugatedDHEA

  DHEA before the body adds a sulfate to it; most of it circulates as DHEA sulfate.

• Cortisol, totalCortisol

  All the cortisol in the blood. It follows a daily rhythm, so the time of the draw matters.

• Insulin like growth factor 1IGF 1

  A hormone made mostly by the liver in response to growth hormone. Labs measure it because growth hormone itself rises and falls through the day.

• Prostate specific antigenPSA

  A protein made by the prostate gland. Labs measure how much of it is in the blood.

• Thyroid stimulating hormoneTSH

  Made by the pituitary gland. It signals the thyroid to make its hormones, and is the most common first thyroid test.

• Free thyroxineFree T4

  The main hormone the thyroid makes, the part that is not bound to proteins in the blood.

• Free triiodothyronineFree T3

  The active thyroid hormone, made mostly from T4 in body tissues, the part not bound to proteins.

• Vitamin D, 25 hydroxyVitamin D

  The main circulating form of vitamin D, which reflects what comes from sunlight, food and supplements.

• Hemoglobin A1cA1c

  The share of hemoglobin in red blood cells that has sugar attached. It reflects average blood sugar over about the past three months.

• Lipid panelLipids

  Total, LDL, HDL and non HDL cholesterol with triglycerides.

• Complete blood countCBC

  Counts and sizes the red cells, white cells and platelets, including hemoglobin and hematocrit.

• Comprehensive metabolic panelCMP

  Fourteen measures of blood sugar, salts and minerals, kidney function and liver function in one test.

How to prepare.

1. Fasting 12 to 14 hours. Water is fine.
2. Book a morning draw, between 8 and 10 a.m.
3. No ejaculation for 24 hours before the draw.
4. No testosterone cream or gel on the inner arms for 24 hours before the draw.
5. Stop high dose biotin supplements 72 hours before the draw.