What is Testosterone, SHBG and free T used for?
Our recommended starting panel for men who want to know whether symptoms such as low energy, low libido or poorer recovery could be hormonal. It combines testosterone and SHBG (so free testosterone can be calculated) with LH and FSH to show where a possible cause sits, and adds haematocrit, HbA1c, oestradiol and B12, which are relevant both for interpretation and as a baseline before any treatment.
Parameters in Testosterone, SHBG and free T (9)
- Total testosterone
- The main male sex hormone, bound and unbound together. Best measured in the morning.
- SHBG
- A protein that binds testosterone in the blood. High SHBG can mean less free testosterone.
- Free testosterone
- The small unbound fraction that tissues can use. Measured directly or calculated from total testosterone and SHBG.
- LH
- A pituitary hormone that signals the testes or ovaries to make sex hormones. Helps tell primary from secondary causes.
- FSH
- A pituitary hormone involved in sperm and egg development. Read together with LH.
- Oestradiol
- The main oestrogen. In men it is partly made from testosterone.
- Haematocrit
- The share of the blood made up of red blood cells. Monitored during testosterone treatment.
- HbA1c
- Long-term blood sugar, reflecting the average over roughly the last two to three months.
- Vitamin B12
- Needed for nerves and blood formation. A deficiency can cause fatigue.
Preparation for Testosterone, SHBG and free T
- Take the sample in the morning, ideally between 07:00 and 10:00.
- Avoid hard physical activity on the morning of the test.
Morning sampling follows the Endocrine Society guideline on testosterone testing. Endocrine Society
What is a venous blood test?
A venous blood test means the sample is taken from a vein, usually in the crook of the elbow. Trained staff insert a thin needle and collect the blood in small vacuum tubes; the draw itself normally takes only a few minutes. A venous sample gives the laboratory enough material to measure many markers at once with standard, quality-controlled methods.
How much blood is drawn?
A standard adult blood tube typically holds about 4–5 ml, and some tube types up to about 9 ml. The total depends on how many tubes the package needs, but even with several tubes it is a small fraction of the 470 ml taken at a normal blood donation.
Sources
- WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (2010)
- Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust – Pathology sample requirements (tube volumes)
- NHS Blood and Transplant – After your donation (470 ml per donation)
- Bhasin S et al. Testosterone therapy in men with hypogonadism: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2018
Questions & answers
What is Testosterone, SHBG and free T used for?
Our recommended starting panel for men who want to know whether symptoms such as low energy, low libido or poorer recovery could be hormonal. It combines testosterone and SHBG (so free testosterone can be calculated) with LH and FSH to show where a possible cause sits, and adds haematocrit, HbA1c, oestradiol and B12, which are relevant both for interpretation and as a baseline before any treatment.
How do I prepare for Testosterone, SHBG and free T?
Take the sample in the morning, ideally between 07:00 and 10:00. Avoid hard physical activity on the morning of the test.
How much blood is taken for Testosterone, SHBG and free T?
A standard adult blood tube typically holds about 4–5 ml, and some tube types up to about 9 ml. The total depends on how many tubes the package needs, but even with several tubes it is a small fraction of the 470 ml taken at a normal blood donation.
Do I need a referral for Testosterone, SHBG and free T?
No – in Denmark no referral is needed. The package is only available in Denmark, and there you can order it through NordicTRT without a referral from your own doctor. The sample is taken as a normal venous blood test at a Celto location in Denmark.
Can the results of Testosterone, SHBG and free T give a diagnosis on their own?
No. Blood values have to be interpreted together with your symptoms, medical history and sometimes repeat measurements. Results outside the reference range should be discussed with a doctor.
What does Total testosterone show?
The main male sex hormone, bound and unbound together. Best measured in the morning.
What does SHBG show?
A protein that binds testosterone in the blood. High SHBG can mean less free testosterone.
What does Free testosterone show?
The small unbound fraction that tissues can use. Measured directly or calculated from total testosterone and SHBG.
What does LH show?
A pituitary hormone that signals the testes or ovaries to make sex hormones. Helps tell primary from secondary causes.
What does FSH show?
A pituitary hormone involved in sperm and egg development. Read together with LH.
What does Oestradiol show?
The main oestrogen. In men it is partly made from testosterone.
What does Haematocrit show?
The share of the blood made up of red blood cells. Monitored during testosterone treatment.
What does HbA1c show?
Long-term blood sugar, reflecting the average over roughly the last two to three months.