https://www.testosterone.me/male-hormone-panel-blood-tests-for-labcorp-to-test-hypogonadism
In order to be approved for Hormone Replacement Therapy with Testosterone or Human Growth Hormone, you must undergo blood testing in order to confirm your need for treatment. At our clinic, we use what is known as a Comprehensive Hormone Panel. We use the respected diagnostic testing company LabCorp to perform the tests which we use to reveal your underlying health condition.
LabCorp has decades of experience in supplying accurate and confidential blood testing to patients across the United States. The following is the battery of tests that we will have performed on your blood sample in order to evaluate your condition:
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel is a group of fourteen tests which are performed on your blood sample which are intended to be a general check-up for your liver and kidney function, as well as your fluid balance and electrolyte levels. This test does not diagnose any condition, but can reveal abnormalities in your blood that could be related to a number of conditions.
Lipid Panel
The Lipid Panel is a series of blood tests which are intended to evaluate your cholesterol levels in the blood stream. Healthy patients have a high ratio of HDL Cholesterol in comparison to LDL Cholesterol, where as high LDL Cholesterol Levels are a sign of cardiovascular risk. This test will also monitor your Triglyceride Levels, which need to be tightly controlled to preserve optimal cardiovascular health.
Prostate-Specific Antigen Test
The Prostate-Specific Antigen Test (also known as the PSA Test) is vitally important and must be performed before starting any Testosterone Therapy regimen for the first time. This is because High Levels of PSA in the blood stream are a sign that the patient is suffering from Prostate Cancer, and should not undergo Testosterone Therapy of any kind. There is no evidence that Testosterone Treatment causes Prostate Cancer, but elevated levels of Testosterone can exacerbate existing Prostate Cancer and should be avoided.
It's also important to evaluate PSA Levels before therapy, because Bio-Identical Testosterone Restoration does lead to increased levels of PSA, but this is not indicative of Prostate Cancer, so getting tested before-hand prevents the patient from a false-positive with regard to Prostate Cancer.
Insulin-Like Growth Factor-One Test
The IGF-1 Test is the most important test with regard to HGH Deficiency. Human Growth Hormone is released in pulses by the anterior pituitary, so, ironically, HGH Blood Testing is not a useful indicator for Human Growth Hormone Deficiency. HGH circulates to the liver and the majority of the hormone is converted into IGF-1, which then remains active in the blood stream for a few days afterward, meaning that IGF-1 Levels in the body remain relatively stable and are currently the best way to monitor for Human Growth Hormone Deficiency.
Free Testosterone Test
Free Testosterone refers to unbound Testosterone that is freely flowing through your blood stream. This Testosterone has yet to be activated, and is available when needed by the body. This is the most important form of Testosterone when it comes to Low-T Andropause evaluation. If your body doesn't have a sufficient ratio of Free to Bound Testosterone, then your body isn't getting the level of Testosterone that it needs to maintain optimal hormone balance. If Free Testosterone Levels are too high, on the other hand, this is a sign of Testicular Cancer.
Total Testosterone Test
The Total Testosterone Test takes into account the levels of both bound and unbound Testosterone in the blood stream. Testosterone binds to a protein known as Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin, which allows the Testosterone to be transported where it is needed by the body. If your body does not produce enough SHBG, then your body is able to produce Testosterone, but it has trouble getting the Testosterone to its activation sites to experience its benefits.
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone and Luteinizing Hormone Test
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) are precursor sex hormones produced by the anterior pituitary gland which travel to the testes and encourage normal and healthy sexual function. Luteinizing Hormone is vital for both the normal production of sperm as well as the production of Testosterone, whereas FSH encourages the production of healthy sperm.
https://www.testosterone.me/male-hormone-panel-blood-tests-for-labcorp-to-test-hypogonadism
