A patient seated in the chair before a blood draw
In person

Testosterone Panel

Total and free testosterone, estradiol, and LH, one morning draw.

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  • 2,000+ lab locations. Find one near you
  • Nothing due at the lab. FSA / HSA accepted
  • Ordered by a licensed clinician

At a glance

Collection
Blood draw
A standard blood draw at the lab.
Preparation
Morning draw is best
Before 10 a.m. is preferred. Levels peak early in the day.
Results
3 to 5 days
Typical turnaround after your visit.
Where
2,000+ lab locations
Nationwide, with nothing due at the lab.

About this test

A low or borderline testosterone result is easier to read with context. This panel measures total and free testosterone plus estradiol and LH, the pituitary’s signal to make testosterone. Testosterone peaks early in the day, so a draw before 10 a.m. is preferred. No fasting is required.

For adults 18 and older. Test availability varies by lab location.

Who should take this test?

For men with a low or borderline testosterone result to recheck, or with questions about energy, sex drive, or muscle changes, who want related hormones too.

Ask about this test

Not sure this is the right test?

AI-generated. For information only, not medical advice. Call 911 for an emergency.

What does this test measure?

Together, these results show your total and free testosterone, plus the pituitary signal and estrogen level around it, which helps a provider read a low result.

Hormones

Testosterone, total
Testosterone is a hormone made mainly by the testes, and in smaller amounts by the ovaries and adrenal glands. Total testosterone measures both the bound and free forms. Levels are highest in the morning and can vary day to day, so an out-of-range result is often repeated before conclusions are drawn.
Why it’s measured: The total amount of testosterone, usually drawn in the morning.
Testosterone, free
Most testosterone travels bound to proteins such as SHBG and albumin. Free testosterone is the small unbound portion. This test uses a dialysis method to separate the unbound portion and a calculation to report it. It can add detail when total testosterone is borderline or when binding proteins may be higher or lower than usual.
Why it’s measured: The unbound portion of testosterone, useful when total is borderline.
Estradiol
Estradiol is the main form of estrogen during the reproductive years, made mostly by the ovaries. Levels change across the menstrual cycle and fall after menopause. A more sensitive method than this standard one is recommended when low levels are expected, such as in men or after menopause.
Why it’s measured: The main estrogen in the reproductive years; varies across the cycle.
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
LH is made by the pituitary gland. In women a surge of LH triggers ovulation; in men LH signals the testes to make testosterone. Levels change across the menstrual cycle, so LH is usually read with FSH and the other reproductive hormones rather than on its own.
Why it’s measured: A pituitary hormone that triggers ovulation and testosterone production.

How it works

  1. Step 1

    Order online

    Check out here. A licensed clinician in your state reviews your order and sends it to the lab.

  2. Step 2

    Visit a lab

    Bring a photo ID to any of 2,000+ lab locations. Before 10 a.m. is preferred. Levels peak early in the day. Nothing is due at the lab.

  3. Step 3

    Get your results

    Results post to your account, usually in 3 to 5 days, each number next to the lab’s reference range.

Find a lab near you

Choose from 2,000+ lab locations nationwide. Your order works at any of them.

What your results tell you

Each hormone is reported as a value with its unit and compared with the lab’s reference range for your age and sex.

  • Each marker next to the lab’s reference range
  • Explained in plain language
  • A licensed clinician reviews your order and, if appropriate, orders the test.
  • A lab report you can download and share

One result is a snapshot. A healthcare provider can explain what your results mean and whether a repeat morning test makes sense.

Clinical-grade testing, from the comfort of home.

From the lab to your report, every step of our process meets the gold standard in medical testing.

  • CLIA-certified labs

    Every lab we partner with is certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, meeting both state and federal standards with regular independent inspections.

  • We protect your health data

    We protect your health data with encryption and do not sell it. Some results must be reported to public health authorities by law. See our Privacy Notice.

  • Rigorous quality assurance

    All partner labs run regular internal quality checks, participate in proficiency testing, and comply with federal and state lab regulations.

  • Clinician-reviewed reports

    Results are reviewed by an independent, licensed clinician.

Questions

Common questions.

Anything else, our care team answers by phone, text, or email.

Testosterone peaks early in the day and falls later, so a morning draw gives a result that is easier to compare with reference ranges and with any future tests. Fasting is not required for this panel. If you retest, try to draw at a similar time.

Most testosterone in your blood is bound to proteins. Total testosterone counts all of it, while free testosterone is the small unbound share that tissues can use readily. Free testosterone can add context when total testosterone is borderline or when binding proteins are unusual.

LH is the signal your pituitary gland sends to the testes to make testosterone. If testosterone is low, LH helps a provider see whether the change may start in the testes or in the pituitary, which can point toward different next steps.

This panel uses a standard estradiol test. When low estradiol is expected, as in men, a more sensitive estradiol test is recommended. Read this result as a general check. If the exact level matters for your care, a healthcare provider may suggest a more sensitive test.

Hormone results do not explain symptoms on their own. Tiredness and low sex drive have many causes, including sleep, stress, heart health, and medicines. Testosterone and other hormone therapy also change these results, so tell your healthcare provider what you take.

Don’t stop or change any medicine or supplement without talking with your healthcare provider.

Lab tests are informational and don’t diagnose conditions on their own. Available to adults 18 and older; test availability varies by lab location. A licensed clinician reviews your order and, if appropriate, orders the test. All testing is performed at CLIA-certified laboratories. Not for emergencies: if you think you may be having a medical emergency, call 911.