Hormonstatus Mann

Male hormone panel assessing testosterone, free testosterone, SHBG, DHEA-S, oestradiol, LH, FSH, and prolactin. Indicated for symptoms of androgen deficiency, fertility concerns, or monitoring of hormone-related conditions in men.

The Hormonstatus Mann panel provides a comprehensive assessment of the male hormonal axis. Total testosterone alone is insufficient for clinical decision-making — this panel includes the key binding proteins and upstream hormones needed to distinguish primary from secondary hypogonadism and to identify treatable causes of androgen deficiency. Total testosterone is the starting point, but 60-70% of circulating testosterone is bound to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and is biologically inactive. SHBG rises with age, liver disease, hyperthyroidism, and certain medications, which can produce normal total testosterone readings despite low bioavailable testosterone. The combination of total testosterone and SHBG allows calculation of free testosterone — the fraction that drives androgenic effects in target tissues. LH and FSH from the anterior pituitary distinguish testicular failure (primary hypogonadism, with elevated gonadotropins) from hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction (secondary hypogonadism, with low or inappropriately normal gonadotropins). This distinction is critical because secondary hypogonadism is often reversible — causes include obesity, sleep apnoea, opioid use, stress, and pituitary tumours. DHEA-S provides a measure of adrenal androgen production. It declines steadily from the mid-twenties onward and is sometimes used as a marker of adrenal reserve and biological aging. Oestradiol in men is produced primarily through aromatisation of testosterone in adipose tissue. Elevated oestradiol relative to testosterone can contribute to gynaecomastia, reduced libido, and erectile dysfunction. The testosterone-to-oestradiol ratio is increasingly recognised as clinically relevant. Prolactin elevation can suppress testosterone production and is associated with reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, and in rare cases pituitary adenoma. Mild elevation is common with stress, medications (especially antipsychotics and antidepressants), and should be confirmed with repeat testing. Blood should be drawn between 07:00 and 10:00 for accurate results, as testosterone follows a strong circadian rhythm with peak levels in the early morning.