When a man begins to have symptoms that may be related to a state of low hormones — such as chronic exhaustion, reduced sexual desire, or reduced muscle mass together with increased fat around the waist — the important question that usually arises is "which kind of hormone examination should be done so that it is comprehensive". The examination of the male hormone should not consider only the Total Testosterone value alone, because the level of the hormone that the body can really use may be connected with other indicators as well, such as Free Testosterone and SHBG, as well as factors of the metabolism that have an effect on energy, the composition of the body, and sexual capability
This article will explain which values a deep examination of the male hormone should look at, what each value means, and why the Comprehensive Endocrine & Metabolic Panel at PYONG MEN is designed to assess the overall picture of the hormone system and of the health of the metabolism more comprehensively than a standard hormone examination in general
Why examining Total Testosterone alone is not enough
Most of the hormone testosterone in the blood binds with proteins in the body, such as SHBG and Albumin, making the Total Testosterone value reflect the total amount of the hormone in the blood, but it still cannot say completely how much of the hormone the body has that is ready to act on the target tissue
In some cases, a man may have a Total Testosterone value within the "normal" standard but have a level of Free Testosterone, or of the part of the hormone that the body can really use, lower than it should be, with the result that he still has symptoms corresponding with a state of low male hormone, such as exhaustion, reduced sexual desire, reduced muscle mass, or increased accumulated fat
Besides this, the interpretation of the level of the hormones should be considered together with the SHBG value (Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin), which is the protein carrying the hormone that has an effect on the proportion between the hormone bound with protein and the free hormone, as well as with the other hormones in the endocrine system that work in relation with one another, so that the physician sees the overall picture of the balance of the hormones more clearly than by looking at any one value alone
The components that the examination of the male hormone should have
The male hormone in its various forms
An assessment that has meaning should cover both Total Testosterone and Free Testosterone, so that the overall picture of the level of the hormone that can really act is seen
SHBG (Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin)
The level of SHBG has an effect on the proportion of the free hormone. In a man who has high SHBG, the proportion of the hormone that can act reduces, even though the Total Testosterone looks normal
The other hormones connected with it
The interpretation of the level of the male hormone should be considered together with the other hormones in the endocrine axis that work in relation with one another, so that the overall picture of the balance of the hormones is even clearer
The parameters of the metabolism
The sugar in the blood and the fat in the blood interact with the level of the male hormone, and are information necessary for the assessment of the overall picture
Preparation before the examination
The level of the hormone testosterone changes in each period of the day, and is usually highest in the morning period. Examining at the suitable period of time is therefore important for the interpretation of the result. The medical team at PYONG MEN informs the patient of the details of the preparation before the examination in the step of making the appointment
The interpretation of the result should be in the hands of a physician
Each hormone value has a wide "reference range", and a value that is within the normal laboratory standard does not mean it is "most suitable" for that patient. An interpretation of the result that has meaning must rely on the context of the symptoms, the history of health, and the specific conditions of each person, not on a comparison with the standard numbers alone
The Comprehensive Endocrine & Metabolic Panel at PYONG MEN
At PYONG MEN, the examination of the male hormone is designed to be part of the assessment of the health of the male sex structurally, covering a deep blood examination in order to analyse the level of the hormones, the sugar, and the fat, together with a clinical assessment covering the proportions of the body and the size of the testicles; and in a case where there are accompanying symptoms of capability, an additional ultrasound examination of the system of blood circulation may be considered
The Comprehensive Endocrine & Metabolic Panel set of examinations covers blood examinations such as the Complete Blood Count (CBC), Glucose, HbA1c, the Lipid Profile, hs-CRP, the working of the kidneys — namely Creatinine, eGFR, and BUN — the working of the liver — namely AST, ALT, and ALP — the working of the thyroid gland — namely TSH, Free T4, and Free T3 — as well as the hormones connected with the reproductive system and with the health of the male sex, such as Testosterone, Free Testosterone, LH, FSH, and PSA
Besides this, there may also be an assessment of the level of Folate, Vitamin D, and Vitamin B12, which are nutrients connected with energy, the nervous system, recovery, and health overall. In some cases, the physician may consider additional examinations, such as SHBG or other connected values, in order to help interpret the proportion of the hormone that the body can really use more clearly
This assessment will help the physician not look merely at whether "the Testosterone value is low or not", but be able to analyse it together with the factors that may affect the symptoms, in order to design an approach to care that suits the specific context of each individual
In short summary
- A complete examination of the male hormone must look at more than the Total Testosterone value alone
- The Free Testosterone and SHBG values help in understanding the proportion of the hormone that can really act
- An assessment that has meaning must interpret the result together with the symptoms and the context of each individual
- The period of time of the examination has an effect on the interpretation, so it should be examined according to the recommendation of the physician
- The Comprehensive Endocrine & Metabolic Panel at PYONG MEN is designed to be part of the assessment of the health of the male sex structurally
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1. At what time should the male hormone be examined The level of testosterone is usually highest in the morning period, so examining in the morning period is a normal matter clinically, so that the interpretation of the result is reliable. The nursing team informs of the details of the preparation in the step of making the appointment
2. The Testosterone value is normal, but why are there still symptoms It may be because the Total Testosterone is within the normal standard, but the proportion of Free Testosterone is low, or there are other factors in the endocrine system that have not yet been assessed. A more complete examination is therefore important
3. Must food be refrained from before the examination or not It depends on the set of examinations. The medical team informs of the details of the preparation in the step of making the appointment
4. After the hormone examination, if the result is abnormal, what must be done next The physician interprets the result together with the symptoms and the history of health, and may consider additional examinations or design an approach to care specific to the individual as is suitable
5. What does the hormone examination help with in the long term It helps in understanding the balance of the endocrine system at present, and is a point of reference (Baseline) for following the result in the future, both in respect of prevention and in a case where specific care is needed