Planning on starting a family and wondering whether your hormones could be playing a role? The Male Fertility IQ Test measures key reproductive hormones alongside thyroid, iron, vitamin and mineral markers to give you a clearer picture of factors that may be relevant when trying to conceive or investigating symptoms such as low libido, fatigue, low mood, or changes in energy.
Clarity for your fertility journey
Over 14,000 5 star reviews
Established in 2001
Accredited labs
Fast turnaround time.
Convenience that fits your lifestyle
A service you can trust
Fast results when it counts
Check your nutritional foundations
Healthy sperm needs the right fuel
Low levels of key nutrients can sometimes affect hormone balance, energy and sperm health. That’s why this test includes markers like iron, ferritin, magnesium, vitamin D and folate, to uncover nutritional factors that may otherwise go unnoticed.
Trying for a baby can bring up a lot of questions
Understanding your hormones can help
Fertility IQ measures key hormones linked to male fertility, including testosterone, LH and FSH. Changes in these hormones can affect fertility, libido, energy and mood, helping you better understand what may be happening beneath the surface while trying to conceive.
There’s more to it than testosterone
Some fertility answers can start with your thyroid
Your thyroid helps regulate hormones throughout the body, including those involved in testosterone production and reproductive function. Thyroid imbalances can sometimes affect fertility, libido and wellbeing, which is why Fertility IQ now includes thyroid markers alongside fertility hormone testing.
What's in the test?
Hormones
FSH
Learn more
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
Learn more
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.
Prolactin
Learn more
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.
Testosterone
Learn more
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
Learn more
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.
Iron status
Ferritin
Learn more
Ferritin is a protein which stores iron in your cells and tissues. Usually, the body incorporates iron into haemoglobin to be transported around the body, but when it has a surplus, it stores the remaining iron in ferritin for later use. Measuring ferritin levels gives us a good indication of the amount of iron stored in your body.
Minerals
Magnesium - serum
Learn more
Magnesium is found in fibre-rich foods such as green leafy vegetables, avocados, bananas, wholemeal bread and brown rice as well as in fish and meat. Excess magnesium exposure can cause breathing problems, skin and eye irritation, flu-like symptoms and an upset stomach. Low magnesium can cause muscle aches and pains, fatigue, osteoporosis, an irregular heartbeat and high blood pressure. Low magnesium is associated with heart disease, artherosclerosis, stroke and diabetes.
Proteins
Albumin
Learn more
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
Learn more
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.
Thyroid hormones
Free T3
Learn more
Triiodothyronine (T3) is the more active of the two thyroid hormones produced by the thyroid gland. Most T3 is bound to protein in the blood. Free T3 measures the level of T3 that is free, or unbound to protein, and is available to regulate metabolism.
Free thyroxine
Learn more
Thyroxine (T4) is one of two hormones produced by the thyroid gland. It works to speed up the rate of your metabolism. Most T4 is bound to carrier proteins in the blood - it is only the free, or unbound, T4 that is active in the body, which is measured in this test. Free T4 is the less active of the two main thyroid hormones. To have an impact on your cells it needs to convert to the more active T3 when your body needs it.
TSH
Learn more
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is produced in the pituitary gland in order to regulate the production of thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) by the thyroid gland. If thyroid hormones in the blood are low, then more TSH is produced to stimulate the thyroid gland to produce more of them. If thyroid hormone levels are high, then the pituitary produces less TSH to slow the production of thyroid hormones. If TSH is too high or too low, it normally signifies that there is a problem with the thyroid gland which is causing it to under or over produce thyroid hormones. Sometimes a disorder of the pituitary gland can also cause abnormal TSH levels.
Vitamins
Folate - serum
Learn more
Folate is a B vitamin which acts as a coenzyme in the metabolism of amino acids. It is also vital for the synthesis of purines and pyrimidines which are essential for DNA synthesis and red cell formation. Folate is also especially important during the first trimester of pregnancy so if you are thinking of becoming pregnant it is important to make sure your folate levels are normal.
Vitamin B12 - active
Learn more
Vitamin B12 is important for production of red blood cells which carry oxygen around the body. B12 is also involved in metabolism and the nervous system and prolonged lack of vitamin B12 may cause nerve damage. Although Vitamin B12 is almost entirely found in animal-based foods, many vegetarian and vegan products, especially plant milks are now fortified with Vitamin B12.
Vitamin D
Learn more
Despite its name, vitamin D is actually a hormone that’s produced by your skin when it’s exposed to sunshine. Before your body can use vitamin D produced by sun exposure (known as vitamin D3), it must be converted into another form called 25 hydroxycholecalciferol (25 OH). Vitamin D (25 OH) is the major circulating form of vitamin D, and so your vitamin D (25 OH) level is considered the most accurate indicator of vitamin D supply to your body.
Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones and teeth, as it helps your body absorb calcium. It also plays a role in muscle health, immune function, and mental health.
Low vitamin D symptoms include muscle weakness, mood swings, and fatigue. Many people in the UK have low vitamin D levels, and people with dark skin and people who don’t spend much time outdoors are particularly at risk.
Small amounts of vitamin D can be obtained from food, especially oily fish, eggs, and vitamin-D fortified foods. But if you have a vitamin D deficiency, you’re unlikely to be able to improve your levels by food alone.
How to prepare for your test
Prepare for your Male Fertility IQ Test by following these instructions.
Sample collection and timing
- Take your sample between 6am and 10am.
- Avoid vigorous exercise or sexual activity for 48 hours beforehand – both can raise your prolactin level.
- Take this test when any symptoms of short-term illness have settled.
- Avoid nipple stimulation, as this can increase prolactin levels.
Fasting and hydration
- Taking this test fasted is preferable but not compulsory as eating can impact prolactin levels.
Medications and supplements
- Do not take biotin supplements for two days before this test, discuss this with your doctor if it is prescribed.
- Do not take vitamin B12 for two weeks prior to this test. If your B12 is prescribed ask your doctor whether to stop.
- If you take levothyroxine or desiccated thyroid extract (DTE), take your blood test before your dose for the most accurate thyroid function results. If you have to take your blood test later in the day, aim to leave at least six hours between taking levothyroxine medication and your blood draw (or 12 hours after DTE/T3 medication). Please also let us know in the supporting information if you take amiodarone or lithium, as these can also affect your results.
- Take your sample at least 24 hours after any vitamin or mineral supplements.
Test limitations
This test doesn't assess sperm count, motility, morphology, semen volume or sperm DNA. A semen analysis is needed to evaluate sperm health. Free testosterone is calculated from your total testosterone, SHBG and albumin rather than measured directly, which is standard practice but means results may differ slightly from direct measurement methods used elsewhere.
Fertility is influenced by many factors beyond hormones and nutrition, so this test is best used as a starting point rather than a definitive answer. Results should be interpreted alongside a full clinical assessment if you have concerns.
FAQs
What does the Male Fertility IQ Test check?
This test checks key reproductive hormones, including testosterone, FSH, LH and prolactin, alongside thyroid function, and nutritional markers. These can help identify hormone or nutrient imbalances that may be relevant when you’re planning a pregnancy or looking into symptoms such as low libido, fatigue, or changes in energy.
Can this test tell me if I’m fertile?
No, this test can’t confirm whether you’re fertile. Male fertility depends on several factors, including sperm count, movement and shape, as well as lifestyle and overall health. This test is best used as a starting point to understand whether hormones or nutritional markers may need further attention.
Does this test check sperm health?
No, this is a blood test, so it doesn’t measure sperm count, motility, morphology, semen volume, or sperm DNA. If you want to assess sperm health directly, you’ll need a semen analysis. This test can still be useful because hormones and nutritional status can play a role in sperm and reproductive health.
Why is testosterone included in a fertility test?
Testosterone is an important male hormone involved in libido, energy, mood, muscle strength, and reproductive function. Low or imbalanced testosterone levels may be relevant if you’re experiencing symptoms such as reduced sex drive, tiredness or changes in wellbeing. This test measures both total and calculated free testosterone levels for a more comprehensive picture.
Why is prolactin important for fertility?
Prolactin is included because raised levels can sometimes affect testosterone production and reproductive hormone balance. High prolactin may also be linked with symptoms such as low libido, erectile difficulties or reduced energy.
When should I take this fertility test?
A morning sample (6 to 10am) is best, especially for testosterone, as levels naturally change throughout the day. Try to take the test when you’re well, and avoid testing straight after illness, poor sleep, heavy alcohol intake, or intense exercise, as these can sometimes affect results.
Related articles
Male fertility tips: temperature, lifestyle, and sperm health
Read Article
From hot baths to healthy routines, discover how temperat...
Fertility myths: what actually affects your chances of conceiving?
Read Article
10 fertility myths doctors hear all the time.
Male fertility problems: symptoms, sperm health, and hormone testing
Read Article
Male fertility is influenced by far more than sperm count...