Testosterone is the main male sex hormone that impacts sex drive (libido), fertility, muscle mass, energy levels and mood.

LH and FSH are hormones produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. These hormones play a role in male fertility.

Free Androgen Index (FAI) and Free Testosterone are markers of how much “active” and “bioavailable” testosterone is circulating in your body. These provide better markers of male hormone status than testosterone alone.

• LH and FSH are hormones produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. These hormones play a role in male fertility.
• Testosterone is the main male sex hormone that impacts sex drive (libido), fertility, muscle mass, energy levels and mood.
• Oestradiol is the main female sex hormone, but it is also an essential hormone in men too.
• Prolactin is a hormone that is produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. This hormone is known for stimulating milk production in women after childbirth, but it has other important functions in men too. High levels can impact male sexual health.
• Albumin and Sex-hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) are key proteins that bind testosterone as it circulates in your blood. These results provide important information to help calculate the level of testosterone that is biologically active and available for use.
• Free Androgen Index (FAI) and Free Testosterone are markers of how much “active” and “bioavailable” testosterone is circulating in your body. These provide better markers of male sex hormone status than testosterone alone.

If you have low testosterone levels or Hypogonadism, you may experience some of the following symptoms:

• Loss of energy and fatigue
• Low libido (sex drive)
• Erection problems, especially a loss of morning erections
• Depression and/or anxiety
• Weight gain
• Irritability, mood swings
• Night sweats or trouble sleeping
• A reduction in muscle mass or joint pains
• Infertility

As well as having low level, a man may have a high level of testosterone which may come with symptoms such as:

• Aggression
• High blood pressure
• High libido
• Acne
• Excessive hair growth
• Low sperm count
• Infertility

High levels of testosterone, known as Hypergonadism, may be caused by underlying health conditions and can also be caused by steroid usage or testosterone-based supplements.

Hormones act as chemical messengers transported through our bodies via the bloodstream regulating various functions in the body, such as metabolism, growth, and reproduction. In males, testosterone is responsible for the development of primary sex characteristics (genitalia and reproductive organs), secondary sex characteristics (body hair, voice pitch, bone structure, etc.), the production of sperm, and sex drive.

Produced mainly in the liver, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) binds certain hormones, including testosterone and oestradiol. SHBG binds these hormones and carries them throughout your bloodstream. In this bound state these hormones aren’t available for your cells to use. If you have low SHBG levels, your body has more unbound sex hormones available for use however if your SHBG levels are high, your body may have fewer free sex hormones at its disposal.

Other hormones also important in males are the reproductive hormones FSH and LH made by pituitary gland which work together to produce testosterone. When LH or FSH levels are high in men, it means that the testes may not be fully functioning and if the levels are low, something might be out of balance with either hypothalamus or the pituitary gland.

Prolactin is a hormone that promotes breast development and breast milk production in women, but it’s present in both genders. Testing prolactin levels can inform on problems with the pituitary gland or hypothalamus and can help understand possible symptoms.

Oestradiol is crucial to male sexuality and increases with age, low levels are not generally impactful. High levels can be caused by certain medications or factors such as stress, weight gain or even conditions affecting the liver.