What Is A Testosterone Test
A testosterone test measures your levels of the hormone testosterone. Testosterone is the main sex hormone in men and people assigned male at birth . Still, women and people assigned female at birth also have testosterone in their bodies. Sex hormones control sexual and reproductive development, as well as sexual drive.
Your body functions best when your testosterone is in a certain range. A testosterone level thats too low or too high can cause health problems regardless of biological sex. Your healthcare provider may order a testosterone test if you have symptoms that could point to high or low testosterone.
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin Test
This type of test measures for the SHBG protein. This protein is made in your liver and acts as a transport system for sex hormones. It also prevents your testosterone levels from getting too high by making it unavailable for use to your cells. However, if these levels are too low or too high, it can cause negative health effects.
If these levels are too high, it means that your tissues may not be getting enough testosterone. Essentially, the protein can cause low testosterone for some men. In this case, your physician may recommend testosterone replacement therapy to help you with your symptoms. Testosterone replacement injections can supplement your free, or available, testosterone and could help you feel better.
High amounts of SHBG circulating through your body can cause low testosterone symptoms. For this reason, we will test for both during your mens health assessment. To streamline the process, we will do them both at once, rather than inconveniencing you by asking you to come in separately for each.
How Much Does The Test Cost
Costs for testosterone testing may include charges for an office or clinic visit, a fee for the technician to draw your blood, and laboratory fees when the sample is analyzed.
If testing was recommended by your doctor, the costs of measuring your testosterone level are generally covered by health insurance. Depending on your insurance plan, you may be responsible for some out-of-pocket costs like copays or a deductible. If you have questions about the cost of testing, you can speak with your doctor and insurance plan for more information.
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Lifestyle Factors That May Affect T Levels
An unhealthy lifestyle can lead to a 15-25% reduction of T levels in the short term and cause a significant decrease in the long term.
According to research, 5 days of insufficient sleep leads to a 15% reduction in testosterone. More severe sleep deprivation will likely lead to even lower T levels on the next day.
Fasting also has a negative effect on testosterone synthesis. Effects of 9 days of fasting on several men reported a 20% reduction of scrum T on average.
More on the topic:How Fasting Affects Testosterone
Acute alcohol intoxication can wreak havoc on your endocrine system, and the testes in men are one of the most severely affected glands. Alcohol damages the testicles and suppresses T production.
Heavy acute alcohol intake led to a 23% decrease in T levels on average, 10 to 16 hours after starting drinking.
Diets high in sugar can lead to low testosterone. Short-term sugar consumption leads to an acute spike in insulin, leading to a transient reduction of T levels. Adults following a diet rich in sugars in the long term had significantly lower T levels than the rest of the subjects.
Obesity has a well-known adverse effect on total T but usually does not affect free T levels.
Low Testosterone Testing: How To Test For Low Testosterone
Testosterone is a hormone that controls many essential body processes, such as sex drive, energy levels, and muscular growth. While testosterone is mainly attributed as a male hormone, women also produce this sex hormone or androgen in small quantities. There are many health conditions and lifestyle factors that affect testosterone levels, both for better and for worse.
Having a normal testosterone level is crucial for both men and women. Low testosterone levels can cause a variety of symptoms and health problems. The same goes for high testosterone levels. Thats why its so important to get your testosterone level checked if you think you may have an abnormal testosterone level range.
Fortunately, testing for low testosterone is relatively simple.
Heres what you need to know about testosterone, how to test for low testosterone, what the results might mean, and ways to naturally boost your testosterone levels.
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Antibiotics And Antifungal Medications
Ketoconazole is a common antifungal medication that can be used topically to treat dandruff and other conditions.
Yet, taking it orally also blocks testosterone synthesis, and long-term use of this medication can lead to a dramatic decrease in serum T levels.
The medication is so potent in these effects that it has been successfully used to treat hormone-sensitive prostate cancer.
Other antimicrobial agents such as antibiotics do not appear to affect testosterone production. In fact, except for a few banned medications, most antibiotics may reduce the risk of infection to the reproductive organs and improve fertility.
Connect With A Hormone Health Specialist Right From The Start
The complexity of hormone health demands the insight and coordination of an expert, someone trained to recognize and respond to your unique hormonal patterns. Rather than just ordering an at-home test for low T, engaging a practitioner who specializes in hormone health could help you achieve the best possible outcomes as quickly as possible. They can not only give you detailed information about how to test for low testosterone at home, they can provide truly comprehensive support.
When at-home testing is used in conjunction with telehealth consultations and convenient access to hormone replacement therapy, you can get the answers you need and try to start feeling better faster.
If troubling symptoms of hormone imbalance have you wondering how to test for low testosterone at home, BodyLogicMD can help. The practitioners in the BodyLogicMD network are experts in hormone health and are here to help you understand the challenges of your changing body. With telehealth, a BodyLogicMD-affiliated practitioner can assess your needs and can create a personalized BalancePro plan to help you achieve your health goals. Set up your telehealth consultation to connect with a hormone specialist in the comfort of your own home. Or, take the BodyLogicMD Hormone Balance Quiz to better understand how hormones may be affecting your everyday life.
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What Causes An Undescended Testicle
The exact cause of an undescended testicle isnt known. However, researchers believe that a combination of certain factors likely plays a role. These include genetics, the mothers health, and environmental factors, such as exposure to pesticides or secondhand smoke.
Doctors consider premature birth to be a major contributing risk factor for an undescended testicle. Nearly one-third of premature baby boys have the condition, reports the Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital. An estimated 3 to 5 percent of male babies have it.
Excess fibrous tissue or muscles that wont stretch in your childs groin can cause an undescended testicle. A surgeon can correct these issues.
How To Prepare For The Test
Preparation to test your testosterone levels is easy. Other than the fasting previously mentioned, there is not much else to do except show up at the lab at the appointed time. The procedure itself takes only a few minutes, and since most labs have early morning hours beginning at 7 or 8 am, most people are on their way to work, the golf course, or breakfast in plenty of time to get the day started.
If you do not know where to get testosterone tested, do not worry, the HRT specialist will locate a lab near you and provide all of the information ahead of time. You may want to determine how much time it will take to get to the lab, as well as the best route ahead of time to ensure that you know where you are going and get there on schedule.
The testosterone test is a simple procedure that takes only a few minutes. For those who do have a fear of needles, it is recommended to turn ones head while the blood sample is collected. The only thing that will be felt is a tiny prick when the needle pierces the skin. Discuss any concerns with the HRT specialist ahead of time, and again with the lab technician at the time of appointment.
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Are There Different Ways To Measure Testosterone As Well As Free And Bioavailable Testosterone
Yes, there are different methods that labs may use to measure testosterone, and there are reasons for using different methods.
- For men, total testosterone can generally be measured using a method called immunoassay. This method is commonly available, less technical to perform, and is usually sufficiently accurate for measuring testosterone in men.
- Testosterone levels in women, children, and some men , are much lower than in healthy adult males. In these cases, it is recommended that labs use a method that is sensitive enough to measure testosterone accurately at lower levels. One sensitive method that is often used is called liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry . This method is more technical to perform and not all labs offer it. Samples may, however, be sent to reference labs for testing.
- Free testosterone and bioavailable testosterone may be measured directly, or, more commonly, they are calculated based on results from total testosterone, SHBG and sometimes albumin tests.
What Is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome In Women
PCOS affects the function of the ovaries in women. It is a common condition where there is an increased production of follicles and testosterone. Within these follicles, eggs develop but are not released. That means ovulation doesnt occur and can make it difficult to conceive.
Approximately one fifth of women in the UK have PCOS and almost half experience no symptoms.
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What Is It Used For
A testosterone levels test may be used with other tests to help:
- Diagnose the cause of symptoms that could be from testosterone levels that are too high or too low
- In children and teens, to find out what’s causing:
Testosterone testing is also used to monitor your health if you:
- Have had an abnormal testosterone test in the past
- Are taking medicine that may affect your testosterone levels
- Are a transgender man taking testosterone for masculinizing hormone therapy
The 6 Most Important Lab Values To Check For The Diagnosis Of Low Testosterone
There are so many important lab values related to testosterone deficiency but doctors treating Low T are sometimes not checking all of them. Today, well cover the essential lab tests you should ensure are being checked and why theyre necessary before and during Low T treatment.
Well refer to the hypothalamic-pituitary axis shown in the image below.
Luteinizing Hormone
The anterior pituitary gland produces LH to stimulate the Leydig cells in the testicles to produce the following androgens: testosterone, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone .
So you might be asking, why dont you just check for decreased testosterone levels? Its a great question but LH levels will help us determine the cause of low testosterone. If you have low testosterone, your anterior pituitary gland produces more LH so that you can get more testosterone.
If your LH is low-to-normal, while your testosterone is low, there is a central hypothalamic-pituitary defect. In other words, it means that the low testosterone is caused by the hypothalamus or pituitary gland rather than the testicles. This is referred to as hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.
In this case, we are able to treat low-T with clomiphene because this stimulates the pituitary to make more LH and, in turn, your testicles to create more testosterone. You may also choose injectable testosterone.
Prolactin
Estradiol
Hemoglobin/Hematocrit
Prostate Specific Antigen
Total Testosterone
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Testosterone Deficiency: Practical Guidelines For Diagnosis And Treatment
Testosterone deficiency in men is a common but often-missed diagnosis. After confirmation of the diagnosis, exclusion of any reversible causes, or contraindications to the use of testosterone, replacement therapy may be offered. Methods of replacement include injectable testosterone esters, transdermal testosterone , or oral testosterone in the form of testosterone undecanoate. Men receiving testosterone therapy should be followed according to a standardized monitoring plan testosterone levels should be assessed 2 to 3 months after therapy is initiated, followed by annual examinations to assess whether symptoms have improved and whether the patient is experiencing adverse events.
Testosterone can be administered orally, transdermally, or by injection to improve a hypogonadal mans sense of well-being, sexual function, bone density, and muscle strength.
Hypogonadism affects approximately 40% of men aged 45 or older, although less than 5% of these men are actually diagnosed and treated for the condition. Despite some controversy, testosterone therapy has been established as a safe and effective principal treatment for hypogonadism for nearly 70 years.
In the last decade, studies have improved our understanding of hypogonadism and have helped clarify its prevalence and associated comorbid illnesses.
CausesThe principal causes of hypogonadism are testicular failure , pituitary and/or hypothalamic failure , and age-related dysfunction .
The Guidelines And Protocols Advisory Committee
The principles of the Guidelines and Protocols Advisory Committee are to:
- encourage appropriate responses to common medical situations
- recommend actions that are sufficient and efficient, neither excessive nor deficient
- permit exceptions when justified by clinical circumstances
Contact Information:Guidelines and Protocols Advisory CommitteePO Box 9642 STN PROV GOVTVictoria BC V8W 9P1Website: www.BCGuidelines.ca
DisclaimerThe Clinical Practice Guidelines have been developed by the Guidelines and Protocols Advisory Committee on behalf of the Medical Services Commission. The Guidelines are intended to give an understanding of a clinical problem, and outline one or more preferred approaches to the investigation and management of the problem. The Guidelines are not intended as a substitute for the advice or professional judgment of a health care professional, nor are they intended to be the only approach to the management of clinical problem. We cannot respond to patients or patient advocates requesting advice on issues related to medical conditions. If you need medical advice, please contact a health care professional.
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What Can I Expect During A Testosterone Level Test
Testosterone tests are blood tests. During the test, your healthcare provider:
Testosterone blood tests are quick and relatively painless. You may feel a slight sting when the needle goes in or out of your arm. The test usually takes less than five minutes.
What Happens During A Testosterone Levels Test
A blood sample for a testosterone test should be taken in the morning between 7 and 10. During these hours, your testosterone levels are typically the highest.
A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.
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When To Consider Testosterone Testing
Getting tested is important because theres a sizable percentage of men who dont experience symptoms, despite having a testosterone deficiency.
The primary testosterone tests youll take are blood tests. Most tests measure total testosterone to determine the level of testosterone in the body. In some cases, free testosterone or bioavailable testosterone tests may also be ordered to diagnose certain conditions.
That said, to be prescribed a low testosterone test, doctors will look for symptoms of low testosterone. These can include:
- Loss of muscle mass
If youre experiencing one or a combination of these symptoms, a testosterone test is likely in order.
How Is An Undescended Testicle Diagnosed
Your childs doctor may be able to palpate, or feel, his undescended testicle in his abdomen. In other cases, the testicle cant be felt. In some cases, the testicle isnt present at all.
An X-ray or ultrasound imaging test may help your childs doctor diagnose an undescended testicle. Imaging scans, including an MRI with contrast dye, can confirm the presence or absence of his testicle.
Two conditions can mimic an undescended testicle. A retractile testicle is one that moves back and forth between your childs groin and his scrotum. This condition typically subsides as your child ages. An ascending testicle is one that returns to your childs groin and cant be easily guided back.
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The Everlywell Testosterone Level Test Helps You Check Your Free Testosterone From The Convenience Of Home
This testosterone panel is affordable and reliable. It is a first step in understanding why you may be experiencing symptoms of high or low testosterone. Both younger and older men and women can check free testosterone levels with this at-home test .
Your results will provide detailed information on whether your testosterone level is normal, low, or high compared to reference ranges in your age group. If youâre experiencing signs and symptoms of low hormone levels, sharing your test results with your health care provider can help them recommend possible next steps to take.
Your results from this testosterone level test will include evidence-based guidance about lifestyle changes you can make that can positively impact your testosterone andâmore importantlyâyour health. It’s always a great idea to share your results with your doctor, and this testosterone panel gives you a head start.