About Our Standard Male Hormone Panel
Fasting Instructions:
Fasting is required for this lab test. You should not consume food or beverages other than water for at least 8 hours prior to visiting the lab. If you choose not to fast, it may affect your results.
This male hormone panel of tests measures the chemistry and hormone levels associated with aging men.
Our Standard Male Hormone Panel includes testing levels of:
- Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Total Testosterone
- IGF-1 (Insulin Like Growth Factor)
- Uric Acid
- Lipid Panel
- Thyroid Panel
- Human Growth Hormone (hGH)/Growth Hormone (GH)
- Estradiol, Sensitive
The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) measures blood sugar (glucose) levels, electrolyte and fluid balance, kidney function, and liver function.
The 14 measurements included in the CMP help to provide a look at the overall health of the body and its metabolism and chemical balance, and can help diagnose certain conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease and hypertension. The CMP aids in determining how the liver and kidneys are functioning and where glucose, calcium, protein, sodium, potassium, and chloride levels stand.
The CMP blood test panel measures levels of:
- Albumin
- Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
- Calcium
- Carbon dioxide (Bicarbonate)
- Chloride
- Creatinine
- Glucose
- Potassium
- Sodium
- Total bilirubin
- Total protein
- Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
- Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
- Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
In addition to the previous 14 measurements, the CMP also includes these calculated measurements:
- BUN/Creatinine Ratio (calculated)
- Albumin/Globulin Ratio (calculated)
- Globulin (calculated)
The Complete Blood Count (CBC) with differential and platelets test helps to give an overall view of general health and screens for a broad scope of diseases and conditions. This test includes testing for 10 kinds of cells and cell molecules in the blood:
- Hematocrit – The amount of red blood cells in the blood.
- Hemoglobin – A protein that transports oxygen or carbon dioxide in the blood.
- Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) – Measures the average volume of red blood cells in the blood.
- Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) – The amount of hemoglobin per red blood cell.
- Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) – The amount of hemoglobin concentrated in a given volume of red blood cells.
- Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) – Measures the difference of red blood cell size or volume in blood sample.
- Percentage and Absolute Differential Counts – Measures the amounts of different white blood cell types within the blood.
- Platelet Count – Measures the amount of platelets (fragments and particles of cells) in the blood that are crucial for blood clotting.
- Red Blood Cell Count (RBC) – Measures the amounts of red blood cells in the blood. Red blood cells transport oxygen throughout the body.
- White Blood Cell Count (WBC) – Measures the amount of white blood cells in the blood. White blood cells defend the body against infections and foreign bodies.
The Total Testosterone test is used to measure levels of testosterone, the main sex hormone in men that is responsible for male physical characteristics. This testosterone blood test measures the total amount testosterone that is bound to proteins in the blood.
The Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) Test measures levels of IGF-1, a protein that is closely related to growth factors. Our IGF-1 blood test is commonly used to measure levels of human growth hormone (hGH) and its activity.
Uric Acid test measurements are useful in the diagnosis and treatment of gout, renal failure, and a variety of other disorders including psoriasis, starvation, and other wasting conditions. Uric acid is a chemical compound that is created when the body breaks down purine compounds.
Purines and uric acid are found in some high-protein foods and some drinks:
- Yeast
- Organ meats; Liver, Kidney
- Anchovies, Sardines, Mackerel, Herring
- Mussels
- Dried beans/peas
- Beer
The Lipid Panel is used to measure overall cholesterol levels in the body. Lipids are various forms of fat in the body and include cholesterol types. Higher levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL, also known as “bad cholesterol”) are associated with increased risk of heart attack.
LDL leads to atherosclerosis, a hardening of the veins that leads to plaque build-up and heart attacks.
This lipid panel measures levels of:
- Total Cholesterol
- HDL – “Good Cholesterol”
- LDL – “Bad Cholesterol”
- Triglycerides
Our Thyroid Panel includes measuring the following three thyroid levels:
- T3 uptake (Triiodothyronine) – T3 is the active form of T4. This hormone informs cells to use digested food as energy, rather than store it as fat.
- T4 (Total Thyroxine) – A total T4 test measures the T4 that has bonded to protein and the free (unbonded) T4 in the blood.
- T7 (Free Thyroxine Index) – This measurement is a calculation of T4 and T3 uptake.
The Human Growth Hormone (hGH), also known as Growth Hormone (GH), test measures levels of hGH, a hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. Measurement of GH is primarily of interest in the diagnosis and treatment of various forms of inappropriate growth hormone secretion.
The Estradiol Ultrasensitive test is used to measure ranges of the hormone estradiol in the blood that are lower than the levels of the standard estradiol test. This type of estradiol test is recommended for when increased sensitivity to estradiol is expected and/or appropriate, as in situations with men. Estradiol is a form of estrogen, and men undergoing testosterone therapy may experience elevated levels of estradiol. In men, small amounts of estradiol is released by the testes to prevent sperm from dying prematurely. Testing estradiol levels may be useful in the evaluation of males for gynecomastia (also known as man boobs).