Low Testosterone Panel

A targeted 15-marker panel measuring total testosterone, free testosterone, SHBG, and LH — the four markers needed to properly assess whether testosterone is genuinely low and where the problem originates. Total testosterone alone is insufficient because SHBG binds testosterone and makes it unavailable to tissues. Free testosterone and the total-to-SHBG ratio reveal what your body can actually use.

Low testosterone affects an estimated 1 in 200 men under 60 and becomes increasingly common with age, yet it is frequently under-diagnosed because standard GP panels only test total testosterone. This panel measures all four markers needed for a complete assessment. Total testosterone provides the headline number, but SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin) context is critical — high SHBG means more testosterone is bound and inactive, so a 'normal' total level can mask functional deficiency. Free testosterone is the unbound fraction that directly enters cells and drives biological effects. LH (luteinising hormone) from the pituitary gland tells the testes to produce testosterone — high LH with low testosterone suggests primary testicular failure, while low LH with low testosterone points to a pituitary or hypothalamic cause. This distinction matters because treatment differs: primary hypogonadism may warrant testosterone replacement, while secondary causes may be addressable through lifestyle changes, stress reduction, or treatment of the underlying pituitary issue. Morning blood draw before 10am is essential — testosterone follows a circadian rhythm and peaks in the early morning. Testing later in the day can produce artificially low results.