Hormone blood test: check your hormonal balance

Testosterone plays a role in your energy, your recovery and your drive. A single testosterone value does not tell the whole story, though: your SHBG and your albumin determine how much of it is available. That is why this hormone blood test measures these four values together.

Testing your hormonal balance can be interesting for active men, because your hormones can play a part in how you feel, train and recover. By measuring these values together, you build a picture of where you stand.

This way you work with data instead of assumptions, which fits an approach where you want to understand and optimise your body.

This hormone blood test may suit men who want insight into their testosterone and related markers. It can be relevant for:

• Active men who want to test their hormonal balance without choosing a large panel right away
• Men dealing with reduced energy, drive or libido
• Men who want to understand their recovery and performance better
• Men who want to follow their hormone values periodically
• Men who want to start with a focused hormone panel before expanding

This panel measures four blood values around your hormonal balance:

• Total testosterone shows the total amount of testosterone in your blood.
• Free testosterone shows the portion your body can use directly.
• SHBG binds testosterone and influences how much of it is available. The SHBG test is a fixed part of this panel.
• Albumin is a protein that also carries part of your testosterone.

Together these values give you a view of your hormonal balance.

The results can show you how your hormone values compare to the reference ranges. Your free testosterone gains context alongside your SHBG value and your albumin, because these proteins influence how much testosterone your body can use.

A high or low SHBG value may explain, for example, why your total testosterone looks normal while you still experience less energy. For active men, this insight can help you understand how your hormonal balance relates to your energy and recovery.

Keep in mind that a single value is not a diagnosis: your hormone values only gain meaning in combination with your symptoms and your situation.

For this blood test, a staff member draws a small tube of blood at a certified location. You can choose from 700+ collection sites in the Netherlands, so there is almost always a location near you.

You need little for this, apart from your appointment confirmation and a valid ID. The draw itself usually takes only a few minutes.

Getting your hormones tested can be useful at different moments. Some men choose to test:

• When they experience reduced energy, drive or libido
• When they want to test their hormonal balance before adjusting their training or lifestyle
• When their hormone values were deviating before and they want to keep following them
• When they want to compare their values periodically against earlier measurements
• When they want to start with a focused panel before expanding

Already using testosterone therapy under the guidance of a doctor? Then consider the TRT monitoring blood test, which also follows your hematocrit, liver values and PSA alongside your hormones.

What the results mean depends on your personal situation. Each value is compared to a reference range, but a value outside that range does not automatically mean something is wrong.

With a hormone panel, a doctor often looks at your total testosterone, your free testosterone and your SHBG together, rather than at one value on its own. Always discuss any deviating values with your GP, so you know what the results may mean for you personally.

For most hormone values, it is advisable to have your blood drawn in the morning, when testosterone is often highest. Men who have their testosterone measured therefore often pick a fixed time, so their values are easier to compare over time.

Drink enough water on the day of the draw. If you trained intensively shortly before, keep that in mind, as heavy exertion can temporarily affect some values. If in doubt, you can discuss your situation with your GP.

You receive your results digitally in your account, usually within a few working days. For each value, you can see whether it falls within the reference range. You can then share your results with your own GP.

Every blood test result includes a professional assessment from a BIG-registered doctor. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.