Signs You Should Test Your Hormones
Hormone imbalances don't always announce themselves clearly. Symptoms develop gradually, and many men attribute them to stress, aging, or poor sleep.
Common signs that warrant testing include:
Energy and mood:
- Persistent fatigue that doesn't improve with rest.
- Difficulty concentrating or brain fog.
- Increased irritability or low motivation.
- Feelings of depression or anxiety without clear cause.
Physical changes:
- Reduced muscle mass despite consistent training.
- Increased body fat, especially around the midsection.
- Decreased strength or endurance.
- Loss of body hair.
Sexual health:
- Low libido or reduced interest in sex.
- Erectile dysfunction or weaker erections.
- Reduced morning erections.
Sleep:
- Poor sleep quality or insomnia.
- Waking up unrefreshed.
These symptoms overlap with many conditions. That's why testing matters. You can't know if hormones are the cause without checking your levels.
If you're experiencing several of these symptoms, an at-home male hormone test provides a starting point.
What Does an At-Home Male Hormone Test Measure?
Most at-home male hormone tests include several markers that together show your full hormonal picture. Which markers you get depends on whether you choose a basic or comprehensive panel.
Total Testosterone
Total testosterone measures all the testosterone in your blood, both bound and unbound. This is your starting point for understanding hormone status.
The Endocrine Society recommends testing total testosterone first when evaluating hormone-related symptoms. Low levels are associated with fatigue, reduced muscle mass, increased body fat, low libido, and mood changes.
Free Testosterone
Free testosterone is the portion not bound to proteins. This is what your body can actually use.
Your total testosterone can look normal while free testosterone is low. This happens when SHBG is elevated, binding up more testosterone and leaving less available. Understanding the difference between free and total testosterone helps you interpret results accurately.
SHBG (Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin)
SHBG is a protein that binds testosterone. Higher SHBG means less free testosterone available to your tissues.
SHBG increases with age, liver conditions, hyperthyroidism, and certain medications. Low SHBG can occur with insulin resistance, obesity, and hypothyroidism. Knowing your SHBG level explains why two men with the same total testosterone can feel completely different.
Estradiol
Estradiol is the primary form of estrogen in men. A certain amount is normal and necessary for bone health, libido, and brain function. Too much causes symptoms like gynecomastia, water retention, and mood changes.
Men with higher body fat often have elevated estradiol. Fat tissue converts testosterone to estrogen through an enzyme called aromatase. This is why comprehensive panels include estradiol, especially for men carrying extra weight.
LH (Luteinizing Hormone)
LH signals your testes to produce testosterone. This marker helps identify where a problem originates.
High LH with low testosterone means your testes aren't responding to the signal (primary hypogonadism). Low LH with low testosterone means the problem is upstream in the pituitary or hypothalamus (secondary hypogonadism). This distinction matters for treatment decisions.
PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen)
PSA is a marker for prostate health. Some male hormone panels include PSA, especially for men over 40 or those considering testosterone therapy.
The American Urological Association recommends discussing PSA screening with your doctor if you have risk factors. Elevated PSA doesn't necessarily mean cancer, but it warrants follow-up.
Ranges vary by lab. More importantly, where you feel best within the range is individual. Some men feel optimal at 500 ng/dL total testosterone. Others need 700+ to feel the same.
Trends over time matter more than any single result.
How Hormone Levels Change With Age
Testosterone doesn't fall off a cliff at a certain age. It declines gradually, roughly 1-2% per year starting in your 30s.
By age 40, many men notice subtle changes. By 50-60, the cumulative decline becomes more apparent. This is sometimes called andropause or late-onset hypogonadism.
Typical patterns by decade:
- 20s-30s: Peak testosterone years. Levels typically 500-900+ ng/dL.
- 40s: Gradual decline begins. Energy and recovery may feel slightly different.
- 50s: More noticeable changes in body composition, libido, and energy.
- 60s+: Lower baseline becomes the norm. Symptoms more common.
Age-related decline is normal. But "normal for your age" doesn't mean optimal. A 55-year-old with testosterone of 280 ng/dL is technically "within range" for his age, but he may feel significantly better at 500 ng/dL.
This is why testing and tracking trends matters, especially after 40. Knowing your personal baseline helps you and your doctor make informed decisions.
How to Interpret Your Results
Getting numbers is the easy part. Understanding what they mean together is where the value is.
What to Do Based on Your Results
Your results point toward next steps. Here's a general framework:
If levels are optimal and you feel good:
Retest in 6-12 months to establish your baseline and track trends. No intervention needed.
If levels are borderline or mildly low:
Lifestyle factors often move the needle. Focus on:
- Sleep (7-9 hours, consistent schedule).
- Resistance training (compound lifts stimulate testosterone).
- Body composition (losing excess fat improves hormone profiles).
- Stress management (chronic stress suppresses testosterone).
- Diet (adequate protein, healthy fats, zinc, vitamin D).
Retest in 3-4 months to see if changes made a difference.
If levels are clearly low with symptoms:
Consult a doctor. Bring your results. Discuss whether further testing or treatment makes sense.
Testosterone replacement therapy is one option, but it's not the only path. Some men restore levels naturally. Others benefit from TRT. The decision depends on your specific situation, symptoms, and goals.
If you're already on TRT:
Regular monitoring is essential. Testosterone therapy affects multiple markers including hematocrit, PSA, and estradiol. Most protocols call for testing every 3-6 months.
See what blood tests are required on TRT for the full monitoring protocol.
Male Hormone Test vs. Male Wellness Test: Which Should You Choose?
Choose Health offers two at-home male hormone testing options.
How to Decide
Choose the Male Hormone Test if you:
- Want a focused look at your core hormone markers.
- Already know your cholesterol, blood sugar, and inflammation levels from recent testing.
- Are on TRT and need hormone-specific follow-up between comprehensive panels.
- Want a lower-cost option for more frequent monitoring.
Choose the Male Wellness Test if you:
- Want the complete picture of how hormones and metabolism interact.
- Have symptoms that could be hormonal OR metabolic (fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, low energy).
- Carry extra weight around your midsection.
- Haven't tested cholesterol, blood sugar, or inflammation recently.
- Want to establish a comprehensive baseline before making lifestyle changes.
- Are over 40 and want proactive monitoring across multiple health domains.
If your testosterone is low alongside elevated HbA1c and high triglycerides, you know metabolic dysfunction is part of the picture. That changes your approach entirely.
For most men testing for the first time, the Male Wellness Test provides more actionable information. For ongoing monitoring when you already know your metabolic status, the Male Hormone Test keeps you on track without repeating markers you've already established.
How At-Home Hormone Testing Works
Choose Health's at-home male hormone test follows a simple process:
- Order your kit. Choose basic or comprehensive panel.
- Collect your sample. A finger-prick lancet collects enough blood for accurate analysis. Best done in the morning before 10 AM.
- Mail it back. Prepaid shipping included. The sample goes to a CLIA-certified lab, the same standard required for hospital and clinic labs.
- Get results in 3-5 days. Results appear in your online dashboard with reference ranges and explanations.
- Track over time. Compare results across multiple tests to see how lifestyle changes or treatments affect your levels.
At-home testing works well for men who want answers without scheduling appointments, taking time off work, or waiting weeks for results. It also makes regular monitoring practical if you're tracking the impact of exercise, diet, sleep changes, or TRT. All testing is performed by CAP and CLIA-accredited laboratories, the same standard required for hospital and clinic labs.
FAQ
Is an at-home testosterone test accurate? Yes. Choose Health uses CAP and CLIA-accredited labs, the same standard required for hospital and clinic labs.
What's the difference between total and free testosterone? Total testosterone is everything in your blood. Free testosterone is the portion your body can actually use. Both matter.
Can I test at home if I'm already on TRT? Yes. At-home testing is convenient for ongoing monitoring. Most men on TRT test every 3-6 months.
When should I test my hormones? Morning, ideally before 10 AM. This is when testosterone peaks.
How often should I retest? Every 3-6 months for active monitoring. Annually for proactive baseline tracking.
What if my results are low? Consider lifestyle factors first. If levels remain low, consult a doctor and discuss whether further evaluation or treatment makes sense.
Should I see a doctor before testing? You don't need a prescription for at-home testing. But if results show concerning levels, follow up with a healthcare provider.
