Full male hormone blood test
Full male hormone blood test assessing testosterone, the pituitary gland and the thyroid, plus glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR index, glycated haemoglobin, cholesterol and iron metabolism. It is designed to assess low testosterone within its hormonal and metabolic context, without attributing all the symptoms to a single figure.
No prescription or appointment needed
Results in 1-2 working days
Includes: Total testosterone · SHBG · Albumin · Calculated free testosterone · FSH · LH · Prolactin · TSH · Free T4 · Glucose · Insulin · HOMA-IR index. 16 in total. See what each one measures
What it is for
It is used to investigate three related questions. First, whether there is a hormonal pattern compatible with hypogonadism and where its cause may lie. Second, whether there are metabolic abnormalities that may contribute to low testosterone or to the same symptoms. Third, whether iron metabolism shows signs that justify ruling out iron overload.
It is a broad profile for a complete first assessment. If the only question is to check testosterone, the total testosterone, SHBG and albumin test is a closer fit. If a low result already exists and you only want to investigate the hormonal cause, the low testosterone assessment avoids adding the metabolic block.
When it is recommended
- Low testosterone together with excess weight or increased waist circumference
- Symptoms of androgen deficiency with abnormal glucose or cholesterol
- A family history of type 2 diabetes
- Raised ferritin or transferrin saturation in previous tests
- A family history of haemochromatosis together with hormonal abnormalities
Clinical comment
Obesity, insulin resistance, poor sleep and some illnesses can lower testosterone without any permanent damage to the testis or the pituitary gland. That is why we have included the metabolic block: it helps avoid interpreting the hormone out of context.
Iron overload is a less common cause, but it can affect the pituitary gland and the reproductive axis. Ferritin alone is not enough to investigate it, because it also rises with inflammation, alcohol or fatty liver. Transferrin saturation provides the complementary information needed to decide whether the investigation should be extended.
Free testosterone is calculated from total testosterone, SHBG and albumin, as guidelines recommend when equilibrium dialysis is not available. PSA is not included automatically, because requesting it depends on age, individual risk and an informed decision about the consequences of an abnormal result.
Dr. Antonio Mas
What is tested
- Total testosterone
- Measures all circulating testosterone.
- SHBG
- The main carrier protein for testosterone.
- Albumin
- Used with total testosterone and SHBG to calculate the free fraction.
- Calculated free testosterone
- Estimates the fraction not bound to proteins.
- FSH
- Provides information on testicular function and sperm production.
- LH
- The pituitary signal that stimulates testosterone production.
- Prolactin
- A persistent rise can lower the hormones of the reproductive axis.
- TSH
- The first test of thyroid function.
- Free T4
- Completes the thyroid assessment.
- Glucose
- Measures fasting blood sugar.
- Insulin
- Shows how much insulin is circulating to keep glucose in range.
- HOMA-IR index (calculated)
- Estimates insulin resistance from glucose and insulin.
- Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c)
- Reflects average glucose over the last two or three months.
- Lipid profile (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides) and ratios
- Ferritin
- Estimates iron stores, although it can rise with inflammation or liver disease.
- Transferrin saturation
- Helps identify possible iron overload with more specificity than ferritin alone.
These tests are used to calculate Índice HOMA-IR and Testosterona libre calculada. They are not separate tests.
How to prepare
Have the sample taken in the morning, preferably before 10:00, after 8 to 12 hours of fasting. Avoid alcohol and intense exercise the day before. Arrive in good time so you can rest for a few minutes before prolactin is measured.
You can add
Without another needle. It is offered when you order, so you do not have to decide now.
- General blood testAdds the full blood count and kidney and liver function, which are the general check-up parameters that this blood test does not include.+€59.00
- PSA and prostate healthAssesses the prostate with total and free PSA; it is usually considered from the age of 50, or earlier if there is a family history.+€29.00
- Advanced lipid panelExtends standard cholesterol with ApoB, lipoprotein(a) and homocysteine, markers that refine the assessment of cardiovascular risk and are not usually measured routinely.+€59.00
Related blood tests
We have other profiles in Men with more or fewer tests:
- Total testosterone, free testosterone and SHBG test€59.00
- Testosterone therapy monitoring€89.00
- Low testosterone assessment€129.00
- Gynaecomastia assessment€129.00
The most comprehensive is not always the most useful. If you are not sure, the one we recommend to start with is Low testosterone assessment.
What it is based on
Endocrine Society · J Clin Endocrinol Metab 103(5):1715-1744
Testosterone Therapy in Men With Hypogonadism: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline
Advises against the direct immunoassay for free testosterone, because it is inaccurate, and recommends obtaining it by equilibrium dialysis or calculating it from total testosterone, SHBG and albumin.
Protocol designed by Dr. Antonio Mas, specialist in Endocrinology and Nutrition, Spanish medical licence no. 080846289, and reviewed in September 2026.
This blood test is a standardised protocol and does not replace a medical consultation. If you have symptoms, a known condition or a complex clinical situation, speak to your doctor.