Male Hormone Panel

A targeted male endocrine panel measuring 6 key hormones: total testosterone, FSH, LH, SHBG, prolactin, and TSH. Captures both testosterone production and regulatory signalling alongside thyroid screening, since thyroid dysfunction produces symptoms that closely mimic low testosterone including fatigue and reduced libido.

Total testosterone alone tells an incomplete story of male hormonal health. SHBG binds testosterone in the bloodstream, and when SHBG is elevated, less testosterone reaches target tissues even if total levels appear within the reference range. This panel includes both markers to enable calculation of bioavailable testosterone, the clinically meaningful fraction. FSH and LH from the pituitary regulate testicular function. The pattern of testosterone relative to these gonadotropins distinguishes central causes (pituitary or hypothalamic) from primary testicular insufficiency — a distinction that determines treatment strategy. Prolactin elevation suppresses testosterone production and can cause reduced libido and gynecomastia. TSH screens for thyroid dysfunction, which shares multiple symptoms with hypogonadism: fatigue, weight gain, cognitive sluggishness, and mood changes. Including thyroid screening prevents misattribution of symptoms to testosterone alone. Morning blood draws before 10am are essential for testosterone testing, as levels follow a pronounced circadian rhythm and can decline 20-30% by afternoon. Results are typically available same day from the Munich laboratory.