Have you and your partner been trying to conceive for a while?
With our Advanced Male Fertility Hormone Blood Test, you can investigate hormonal causes of male infertility, such as sexual performance and healthy sperm production.
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What's in the test?
Hormones
FSH
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Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) is produced in the pituitary gland and is important for women in the production of eggs by the ovaries and for men in the production of sperm. In the first half of the menstrual cycle in women, FSH stimulates the enlargement of follicles within the ovaries. Each of these follicles will help to increase oestradiol levels. One follicle will become dominant and will be released by the ovary (ovulation), after which follicle stimulating hormone levels drop during the second half of the menstrual cycle. In men, FSH acts on the seminiferous tubules of the testicles where they stimulate immature sperm cells to develop into mature sperm.
LH
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Luteinising Hormone (LH) is produced by the pituitary gland and is important for male and female fertility. In women it governs the menstrual cycle, peaking before ovulation. In men it stimulates the production of testosterone.
Testosterone
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Testosterone is a hormone that causes male characteristics. For men, it helps to regulate sex drive and has a role in controlling bone mass, fat distribution, muscle mass, strength and the production of red blood cells and sperm. Testosterone is produced in the testicles of men and, in much smaller amounts, in the ovaries of women. Testosterone levels in men naturally decline after the age of 30, although lower than normal levels can occur at any age and can cause low libido, erectile dysfunction, difficulty in gaining and maintaining muscle mass and lack of energy. Although women have much lower amounts of testosterone than men, it is important for much the same reasons, playing a role in libido, the distribution of muscle and fat and the formation of red blood cells. All laboratories will slightly differ in the reference ranges they apply because they are based on the population they are testing. The normal range is set so that 95% of men will fall into it. For greater consistency, we use the guidance from the British Society for Sexual Medicine (BSSM) which advises that low testosterone can be diagnosed when testosterone is consistently below the reference range, and that levels below 12 nmol/L could also be considered low, especially in men who also report symptoms of low testosterone or who have low levels of free testosterone.
Free testosterone - calc
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Most testosterone circulating in the blood is bound to proteins, in particular SHBG and albumin; only 2-3 % of testosterone is free and available to cells. This test uses an algorithm to calculate the level of free or unbound testosterone in relation to total testosterone, SHBG and albumin.
Prolactin
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Prolactin is a hormone which is produced in the pituitary gland and plays a role in reproductive health. Its primary purpose is to stimulate milk production after childbirth, and in pregnant and breastfeeding women prolactin levels can soar.
Proteins
Albumin
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Albumin is a protein which is made mainly in the liver. It helps to exert the osmotic pressure which holds water within the blood. It also helps carry nutrients and medications and other substances through the blood and is important for tissue growth and healing. Albumin also carries hormones around the body, therefore measuring the amount of albumin in the blood can help us calculate how much hormone is available to your tissues.
SHBG
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SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) is a protein which transports the sex hormones (testosterone, oestrogen and dihydrotestosterone (DHT)) in the blood.Hormones which are bound to SHBG are inactive which means that they are unavailable to your cells. Measuring the level of SHBG in your blood gives important information about your levels of free or unbound hormones which are biologically active and available for use.
How to prepare for your test
Prepare for your Advanced Male Fertility Hormone Blood Test by following these instructions. Take your sample between 6am and 10am. Avoid vigorous exercise or sexual activity for 48 hours beforehand – both can raise your prolactin level. Avoid nipple stimulation or heavy meals before taking the test, as these can increase prolactin levels. Avoid taking a finger-prick sample from a finger used to handle hormone gels in the past 4 weeks. Use gloves when applying these. Do not take biotin supplements for two days before this test, discuss this with your doctor if it is prescribed.
Test limitations
Reviews
FAQs
What's included in this test?
Our advanced hormone profile for men includes the hormones FSH and LH, which are needed for testosterone and sperm production. Testosterone is the male hormone responsible for libido, sexual performance, and the manufacture of healthy sperm. Our advanced profile also includes a test for free testosterone - a calculation of how much testosterone is available for your body to use.
What can I learn from this test?
Our hormone test is a crucial part of the picture that your doctor will build about your fertility and your ability to father a child. It will show whether the levels of any of your reproductive hormones are abnormal, which could affect your sperm production, libido, or sexual performance.
What causes male infertility?
There are many causes of male infertility, which your fertility specialist will want to investigate. Male fertility requires healthy sperm to reach an egg for fertilisation. Anything that interferes with this process can make conception more difficult, so your specialist will want to look at the health and quality of your sperm, illnesses, injuries, or medications that may affect your fertility and whether you have optimal levels of reproductive hormones.
Why have the male reference ranges for testosterone changed?
The reference range for testosterone has been adjusted to have a lower limit of 12 nmol/L to reflect guidance from the British Society for Sexual Medicine (BSSM) 2022.
Our medical advice regarding testosterone levels remains the same and we advise that if your total testosterone level is between the range of 8-12 nmol/L and you have symptoms of low testosterone you may be considered eligible for testosterone replacement therapy. If your testosterone level falls within this range but you have no symptoms this is considered satisfactory and no further action is required.