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Testosterone Blood Test

Testosterone Blood Test

£35.00

An easy and convenient Testosterone Blood Test kit to measure the total level of testosterone in your blood, a sex hormone essential for sex drive, muscle mass, fertility, and mood.
Blood sample 1 biomarker included Results estimated in 2 working days from sample receipt at lab
Testosterone Blood Test
Testosterone Blood Test
Testosterone Blood Test
Testosterone Blood Test
Testosterone Blood Test

Is it for you?

The Testosterone Blood Test can tell you whether low testosterone levels may be causing symptoms (such as low sex drive, low energy, or loss of muscle). Regular testing can support you if you are increasing your testosterone levels naturally through exercise and diet. Tracking your testosterone levels over time can help you discover whether your testosterone levels are decreasing with age. If you are taking testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), this test can tell you whether your testosterone levels remain in the normal range. This test could also help women explore whether their testosterone levels are too high, which can occur with the health condition polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Terms and conditions apply. Over 18s only.

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What's included?

Biomarker profile

  • Hormones

Hormones (1 Biomarker)

Hormones are chemical messengers which travel in your blood and control the way your body works. Hormones control many body functions, from growth and metabolism to reproduction and your sleep cycle.
Testosterone is a hormone important for both men and women that regulates sex drive (libido), muscle mass, fertility, and mood. This biomarker measures the total amount of testosterone in your blood – both free and bound testosterone.

Special instructions

Please take your sample in the morning. Avoid taking a finger-prick sample from a finger used to handle hormone-gels or hormone-pessaries in the past 4 weeks. Do not take biotin supplements for 2 days prior to this test. If you are taking prescribed biotin you should discuss this with your doctor.

From the expert

Testosterone is a sex hormone produced by the testes in men. Women also produce testosterone in their ovaries and adrenal glands but usually in smaller quantities. Testosterone governs many essential body functions, such as sex drive (libido), energy levels, healthy bones, muscle mass, strength, and mood. It also controls sperm production, so changes in this hormone can affect your fertility.  

Stress levels, how much alcohol you drink, and the amount of exercise you do can all affect the amount of testosterone your body makes. Low testosterone levels can sometimes cause unwanted symptoms, such as low sex drive and low mood. Both men and women may experience a natural decrease in their testosterone levels with age.

Measuring your testosterone level is easy with a simple testosterone finger-prick blood test kit, which you can do at home. You also have the option of providing a blood sample in a clinic. With this UK testosterone test, you’ll get expert follow-up on steps to take if your testosterone level is outside the normal range.

Dr Sam Rodgers MBBS, MRCGP
Chief Medical Officer

FAQs

Can I use this test if I am taking testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)?
The Testosterone Blood Test can be a valuable way to monitor your hormone levels whilst taking TRT. You may also be interested in our specially designed TRT Blood Test, which investigates other important bodily functions, such as your liver health.

If you take hormone gels or hormone pessaries, it is essential to wear gloves to apply them for at least four weeks before taking a finger-prick test. This is because testosterone can stay in your skin and affect the results of the blood test.
Does this test measure total testosterone or free testosterone?
Some testosterone in your blood is bound to proteins which makes it unavailable for your body’s cells. Some testosterone is unbound meaning that it is available for your body cells to use. Unbound testosterone is also known as free testosterone. This test measures the total testosterone level which is a single measure of both bound and unbound testosterone. Measuring your total testosterone level can give an indication of whether you have normal levels of testosterone in your body.
When is the best time to take the Testosterone Blood Test?
We recommend taking this test in the morning as this is when your testosterone levels are at their highest.
Can women take this test?
The Testosterone Blood Test is suitable for both men and women. Testosterone is an essential hormone for both men and women, but it is important that blood levels are within the normal range for you.

Women can experience low levels of testosterone in menopause which can lead to symptoms such as poor bone health, vaginal dryness, and reduced sex drive. On the other hand, women can experience high testosterone levels with health conditions such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Women may be interested to take the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Blood Test, which is specially designed to help women find out whether their hormone levels could be contributing to symptoms of PCOS.
Does this test measure high levels of testosterone?
Many testosterone tests will not measure testosterone levels above 52 nmol/L. Our Testosterone Blood Test will measure blood levels of testosterone up to 520 nmol/L. This is especially useful for men who are taking testosterone and expect to have high levels of testosterone.
What causes low testosterone levels in men?
Men naturally experience a steady decline (less than 2% a year) in testosterone levels from around 30 years of age. This rarely causes a sudden drop in testosterone levels but may contribute to low levels in older age.
Other factors which can cause low testosterone are:

  • Injury or damage to the testes
  • High-stress levels
  • An unhealthy BMI
  • Steroid abuse
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Cancer treatment
  • Tumours (which affect areas responsible for hormone production, such as the pituitary gland in the brain)
  • Lifestyle factors (such as smoking, drinking too much alcohol, and not exercising)
  • Poor sleep quality

Why take this test?

  • Find out whether low testosterone levels are causing your symptoms (such as low sex drive, low energy levels, or low muscle mass)
  • Check whether your testosterone levels are within the normal range
  • See whether your testosterone levels are decreasing with age
  • Guide your exercise and dietary choices to increase your testosterone levels naturally
  • Monitor your testosterone levels whilst taking hormone replacement, such as testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)
  • Investigate whether your testosterone levels are too high
testosterone-blood-test

Testosterone in men

Testosterone is an essential hormone for men because it maintains male sex drive (libido), sperm production, fertility, and mood. Testosterone levels sometimes fall gradually in men from around the age of 30 years. For many men, this gradual fall in testosterone causes no symptoms. For others, it can negatively affect mood, motivation, and sex drive. Low testosterone can even cause a decrease in muscle mass in the body alongside increased fat mass and gynecomastia (breast tissue development). This age-related decline in testosterone is sometimes called the 'male menopause', 'manopause', or andropause. Some younger man can also experience low testosterone levels, this is called hypogonadism.


If you are a man who is experiencing symptoms of low testosterone, your doctor may prescribe testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).

testosterone-blood-test

Testosterone in women

Testosterone is an essential hormone for women because their bodies can use it to produce oestrogen. Testosterone helps control female sex drive (libido), reproductive health, mood and the menstrual cycle. If women experience a decline in testosterone levels, such as during menopause, it can cause poor bone health, vaginal dryness, and reduced sex drive.


On the other hand, if women have too much testosterone, it can cause unwanted symptoms such as excess body hair and weight gain. High testosterone levels in women could suggest a health condition known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

testosterone-blood-test

Testosterone in sports and exercise

Testosterone can be an advantage in sport and exercise. Firstly, testosterone helps your body build muscle and increase strength. Testosterone is also essential for energy and motivation, so it could affect the amount of exercise you can do. Testosterone could even help your body to use fat as fuel for your exercise.

Intense training without enough time for recovery can put you at risk of overtraining syndrome associated with a long-term decrease in your testosterone levels. Symptoms of overtraining include chronic fatigue, weakness, and low mood. Overtraining syndrome can be damaging to your performance and could even lead to injuries, such as fractures.


Long-term use of anabolic steroids can cause shrinkage to your testes (that produce testosterone) and lead to low testosterone levels in the body.

Can you increase your testosterone levels naturally?

There are some simple lifestyle changes that can naturally support the production of testosterone in the body:

  • Get good sleep quality. Getting a full, undisturbed night of sleep is essential to support your body to regulate hormone levels. Experts recommend that adults get 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night. You should wake from a night of sleep feeling refreshed. If you don't wake refreshed, you may not be getting enough.
    		•
  • Optimise your exercise. Any exercise can boost testosterone levels in the short-term. But building your muscle mass through strength and resistance training is most effective at permanently increasing testosterone levels. But make sure you do not overdo it; excessive exercise without time to rest and recover can decrease your testosterone levels.
    		•
  • Limit your alcohol intake and smoking. Alcohol can lead to disruptions in your body's ability to produce testosterone. Try to limit the amount of alcohol you drink, or better still, cut it out completely.
    		•
  • Ensure good nutrition. A healthy, well-balanced diet rich in protein, carbohydrate and healthy fats is essential for supporting healthy testosterone production. Also, ensure you get enough vitamins and minerals through eating plenty of fruit and vegetables.
    		•
  • Get some sunlight. Vitamin D is essential for testosterone levels. You can produce vitamin D in your skin under exposure to sunlight. In winter, the sunlight in the UK is poor, so you should consider taking a supplement.
    		•
  • Manage your body fat levels. Excessive body fat is associated with decreased testosterone levels in men. You can manage your body fat levels by eating healthily and exercising regularly.
    		•
  • Minimise stress. High levels of the stress hormone cortisol work against testosterone, and it can even limit testosterone's positive muscle-building (anabolic) effects. Avoid unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as drinking alcohol, which can decrease testosterone levels and heighten stress. Instead, take control of your stress by improving time-management skills or by enjoying a hobby with a friend, such as sports.
    		•   

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    Important

    Our tests are not a substitute for seeing your doctor, especially if you are suffering symptoms. Our doctors will interpret your results based on the information you have provided, but will not diagnose, consult or provide any treatment. You will be advised to see your doctor for any necessary follow-up action.