Male Hormone Testing, lab results from home

LetsGetChecked offers a range of male hormone tests to meet all your testing needs. The most important thing about hormones is balance. Sex hormones such as testosterone and estradiol play important roles in the male body. They affect muscle development, fat distribution, bone strength, sex drive, and sperm production, as well as your heart, nervous system, and mood. Sex hormone-binding globulin and the free androgen index are key in assessing how much "free" testosterone is circulating in your blood. Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. It is important in male reproductive health and affects the levels of other sex hormones. Cortisol is a stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands, which are small glands that sit on top of your kidneys. It has many roles in the body, including initiating the "fight or flight" response, regulating blood sugar levels, and fighting infection. This means that maintaining a normal cortisol level is important for a healthy life.

There are many causes of hormonal imbalances. One of the most important causes is the use of hormone supplements or steroids, which can have unexpected effects on other hormone levels due to the complex relationship between all our hormones. Other causes include chronic stress, health conditions such as diabetes, sleep apnea, and thyroid disease, obesity or being overweight, poor diet and nutrition, and many more.

Our Male Hormone tests are designed to cater to a variety of testing needs. You should take this test if you: - are curious about your hormone levels - have symptoms that may be indicative of a hormonal imbalance (such as low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, infertility, or low energy) - have a health condition that may affect your hormone levels (such as cancer requiring treatment with chemotherapy or radiation therapy, thyroid disease, diabetes, a pituitary gland disorder, obesity, or chronic stress)

Activating the test connects you to the unique alphanumeric barcode within your LetsGetChecked sample collection kit. The laboratory cannot process your sample if the test is not activated and linked to you. You should only activate your test when you are ready to take your sample.

LetsGetChecked works with a team of clinicians who will review your order and results. Our clinical team is on standby throughout the testing process and, if your results are abnormal, you may receive a call to discuss your results and next steps.

Testosterone Test

You should collect your samples Monday-Friday, in the morning while fasting, and ensure your return is scheduled for the same day. Each of our health tests includes a prepaid delivery envelope to return your samples to the laboratory. Fasting means that you take the test in the morning before you have breakfast. You can still drink water when fasting but avoid drinking water in the 30 minutes prior to collecting your saliva sample. Always follow the advice of your doctor with regards to fasting, particularly if you have any medical conditions. Certain supplements such as biotin may impact your test result if taken less than 8 hours before sample collection. Speak to your healthcare provider before making changes to your medication schedule. Please do not collect or return samples on a Saturday or Sunday.

Male Hormone Advanced

You should collect your samples Monday-Friday, in the morning while fasting, and ensure your return is scheduled for the same day. Each of our health tests includes a prepaid delivery envelope to return your samples to the laboratory. Avoid sexual activity 24 hours prior to taking your samples as it naturally raises your prolactin levels. Fasting means that you take the test in the morning before you have breakfast. You can still drink water when fasting but avoid drinking water in the 30 minutes prior to collecting your saliva sample. Always follow the advice of your doctor with regards to fasting, particularly if you have any medical conditions. Certain supplements such as biotin may impact your test result if taken less than 8 hours before sample collection. Speak to your healthcare provider before making changes to your medication schedule. Please do not collect or return samples on a Saturday or Sunday.

Male Hormone Complete

You should collect your samples Monday-Friday, in the morning while fasting, and ensure your return is scheduled for the same day. Each of our health tests includes a prepaid delivery envelope to return your samples to the laboratory. Fasting means that you take the test in the morning before you have breakfast. You can still drink water when fasting but avoid drinking water in the 30 minutes prior to collecting your saliva sample. Always follow the advice of your doctor with regards to fasting, particularly if you have any medical conditions. Collect your saliva sample before your blood sample. It is important to take your samples in this order because, for some people, taking a blood sample can temporarily raise their cortisol levels. For cortisol results that most accurately reflect your average levels, you should take your test at a time when you feel safe and calm and were not unusually stressed, scared, injured, or engaged in vigorous exercise in the 24 hours beforehand. Avoid sexual activity 24 hours prior to taking your samples as it naturally raises your prolactin levels. Collect your saliva sample before you brush your teeth. You should have fasted for 12 hours when taking your samples but do not eat, drink, or take any medication by mouth for 30 minutes prior to sample collection. Certain supplements such as biotin may impact your test result if taken less than 8 hours before sample collection. Speak to your healthcare provider before making changes to your medication schedule. Please do not collect or return samples on a Saturday or Sunday.

Keeping your personal data secure is important to us. We use appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure the security and confidentiality of your information, and only share your information where required to deliver our products and services or where we have a legal basis to do so. All samples are disposed of following analysis.

These tests are not suitable if: You are under 18 years of age. You are at an increased risk of fainting/ loss of consciousness due to blood sample collection, including if you have an arrhythmia, history of vasovagal syncope (fainting) or fear of blood. You have a bleeding disorder, or are taking medication that increases the risk of bleeding including (but not limited to) untreated hemophilia or use of blood thinning medications. You have impaired lymphatic circulation in both upper limbs. You have a skin disorder or condition that may result in poor healing, an increased risk of infection or skin ulceration — including (but not limited to) Raynaud’s, Scleroderma, peripheral vascular disease or peripheral neuropathy. It may be more difficult to collect a sample if you have hard or callused skin on your fingertips. Please also see our FAQ on medications and supplements that could interfere with your test results for more information.

Biotin supplements may impact your test results if taken less than 8 hours before sample collection. Biotin is commonly found in multi-vitamin or B complex supplements. Multiple medications can increase prolactin levels. These include estrogens, dopamine blockers/antagonists, some stomach acid reducers, opiates, some high blood pressure medications, anti-depressants, anti-psychotics and marijuana products. Some medications can impact your hormone results, for example, testosterone residue on your hands when collecting your sample from topical medications such as creams, gels, or patches like topical hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can interfere with your results. Additionally, certain medications containing steroids can impact your hormone levels. If you are taking this medication please discuss the suitability of this test with your healthcare provider before purchase. Please speak to your healthcare provider before making any changes to your medication schedule.