Hormone test for men: measure testosterone and SHBG

The panel has four values:

• Total testosterone: all testosterone in your blood, bound and free together.
• SHBG: the protein that binds testosterone tightly. Your body cannot use that bound part directly.
• Albumin: a protein that binds testosterone loosely. That part is released easily.
• Free testosterone: the part your body can use directly. It is calculated from the other three values.

This test suits men who want to know where their testosterone stands. For example with:

• less interest in sex or fewer morning erections
• ongoing tiredness or low energy
• less muscle strength or slower recovery after training
• earlier abnormal values you want to keep following

Complaints such as tiredness or a reduced libido fit a hormonal imbalance. They often have other causes too. Sleep, stress, weight and medication also play an important role.

Already on testosterone therapy under a doctor's care? Then choose the TRT monitoring blood test. It also follows your haematocrit, liver values and PSA.

A doctor looks at the three testosterone values together, not at one number. Your total testosterone can be normal while your free testosterone is low. That happens, for example, with a high SHBG.

A low value is usually measured again, on another morning. Testosterone varies from day to day. Only a repeated low value together with complaints really tells you something.

Testosterone is highest in the morning and falls during the day. So have your blood drawn before 10:00, ideally between 7:00 and 9:00.

Stop taking biotin 72 hours before the draw. It is in many hair and multivitamin supplements and can disturb the result. You do not need to fast for this panel.

You order the test online. We then request your referral through ZorgDomein. Allow one business day for that. If you order in the evening or at the weekend, the next business day counts.

You receive an email from ZorgDomein with a barcode. You show that barcode at the collection point. Without a BSN there is no barcode: you then print your referral form through the link in the email and bring it to the draw location. You choose from 650+ collection points in the Netherlands.

A staff member draws a tube of blood from your arm. The tube goes to the certified laboratory that runs that collection point. Allow about five days for your result.

You see your result in your account, each value next to its reference range. A BIG-registered doctor assesses every result. A value outside the range is not automatically a problem.

Discuss abnormal values with your GP. You can simply share your result with them.

If you have ongoing complaints, your GP can have your testosterone measured. Your health insurance usually covers that test.

Testing yourself works without a GP referral. You pay for the test yourself and choose when you measure. That helps if you want to follow your values over time.