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Total testosterone measures the overall amount of testosterone in your blood, including both bound and free testosterone. This is the primary male sex hormone responsible for muscle mass, bone density, fat distribution, red blood cell production, and sex drive. Low testosterone can cause fatigue, decreased muscle mass, increased body fat, mood changes, and reduced libido. Levels naturally decline with age, typically decreasing by about 1% per year after age 30.

Free testosterone is the portion of testosterone that isn't bound to proteins in your blood and is immediately available for your body to use. While total testosterone may appear normal, free testosterone can be low due to increased binding proteins. This measurement is particularly important for men experiencing symptoms of low testosterone despite normal total levels, and it provides a more accurate picture of biologically active testosterone.

SHBG is a protein that binds to testosterone and other sex hormones, controlling how much is available for your body to use. High SHBG levels can cause symptoms of low testosterone even when total testosterone is normal. Factors affecting SHBG include age, weight, liver function, thyroid function, and certain medications. Understanding your SHBG levels helps interpret your testosterone results more accurately.

DHEA-S (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that serves as a precursor to testosterone and other hormones. It's often called the "anti-aging hormone" because levels peak in your 20s and decline with age. Low levels can contribute to fatigue, decreased muscle strength, reduced immune function, and mood changes. Testing DHEA-S can help evaluate adrenal function and overall hormone balance.

While typically considered a female hormone, estradiol plays important roles in men's health including bone density, brain function, and sexual health. Men produce estradiol through the conversion of testosterone. Too high or too low levels can cause problems - elevated estradiol can lead to gynecomastia (enlarged breast tissue), while very low levels can affect bone health. The balance between testosterone and estradiol is crucial for optimal male health.

Morning cortisol measures your stress hormone at its daily peak. Cortisol helps regulate metabolism, blood pressure, immune function, and stress response. Chronically elevated cortisol can suppress testosterone production, increase belly fat, break down muscle, and impair sleep. Low cortisol may indicate adrenal insufficiency. Testing morning cortisol provides insight into your body's stress response and adrenal function.

A comprehensive lipid panel measures total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol, and triglycerides. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in men, and this test is essential for assessing cardiovascular risk. Optimal levels include LDL below 100 mg/dL, HDL above 40 mg/dL (ideally above 60), and triglycerides below 150 mg/dL.

ApoB counts the number of potentially harmful cholesterol particles in your blood. This is considered a more accurate predictor of heart disease risk than standard LDL cholesterol because it measures the actual number of particles that can deposit in artery walls. Optimal ApoB is below 90 mg/dL for most men, and below 80 mg/dL for those at higher cardiovascular risk.

Lipoprotein(a) is a genetically determined particle that significantly increases heart disease and stroke risk. Unlike regular cholesterol, Lp(a) levels are largely inherited and don't change much with lifestyle modifications. About 20% of people have elevated levels. Knowing your Lp(a) helps determine if you need more aggressive cardiovascular risk management.

hs-CRP measures inflammation in your body, which is a key driver of heart disease. Chronic low-grade inflammation damages blood vessels and promotes plaque buildup. Levels below 1.0 mg/L indicate low cardiovascular risk, 1-3 mg/L indicates moderate risk, and above 3 mg/L indicates higher risk. This test provides important information beyond traditional cholesterol testing.

Homocysteine is an amino acid that can damage blood vessel walls when levels are too high. Elevated levels increase risk of heart attack, stroke, and blood clots. Your body uses B vitamins (B12, B6, and folate) to break down homocysteine, so high levels often indicate vitamin deficiencies. Optimal levels are below 10 micromol/L.

HbA1c measures your average blood sugar over the past 2-3 months. It's the gold standard for diagnosing and monitoring diabetes and prediabetes. A level below 5.7% is normal, 5.7-6.4% indicates prediabetes, and 6.5% or higher indicates diabetes. This test doesn't require fasting and provides a more comprehensive picture than a single glucose measurement.

Fasting glucose measures your blood sugar level after not eating for at least 8 hours. It's a primary screening tool for diabetes and prediabetes. Normal fasting glucose is below 100 mg/dL, prediabetes is 100-125 mg/dL, and diabetes is diagnosed at 126 mg/dL or higher on two separate occasions.

Fasting insulin reveals insulin resistance before blood sugar abnormalities develop. When your body becomes resistant to insulin, your pancreas produces more to compensate. High fasting insulin is an early warning sign of metabolic dysfunction and increased risk for diabetes, heart disease, and fatty liver. Optimal levels are typically below 8 uIU/mL.

HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance) is calculated from fasting glucose and insulin to quantify insulin resistance. It's one of the best markers for metabolic health and predicts future diabetes risk. Optimal HOMA-IR is below 1.0, while values above 2.0 indicate significant insulin resistance.

Uric acid is a waste product that, when elevated, can cause gout (painful joint inflammation) and kidney stones. High levels are also linked to metabolic syndrome, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Men are more likely than women to have elevated uric acid. Optimal levels are below 6 mg/dL.

PSA is a protein produced by the prostate gland. Elevated levels can indicate prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or prostatitis. While not a perfect test, PSA screening has helped reduce prostate cancer deaths. Men over 50 (or 45 with risk factors) should discuss PSA testing with their doctor. Normal PSA is generally below 4 ng/mL, though this varies with age.

Free PSA measures the portion of PSA that isn't bound to proteins. The ratio of free to total PSA helps distinguish between prostate cancer and benign conditions. A higher percentage of free PSA (above 25%) suggests benign disease, while a lower percentage (below 10%) raises concern for cancer. This test is typically used when total PSA is elevated but not definitively abnormal.

TSH is the primary screening test for thyroid function. Your pituitary gland produces TSH to signal your thyroid to make hormones. High TSH indicates an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), while low TSH suggests an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). Thyroid disorders in men can cause fatigue, weight changes, mood problems, and sexual dysfunction.

Free T3 and Free T4 measure the active thyroid hormones in your blood. T4 is the main hormone produced by your thyroid, and it's converted to T3 (the more active form) throughout your body. These tests help diagnose thyroid disorders and monitor treatment. Low levels cause fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, and brain fog. High levels cause anxiety, weight loss, rapid heartbeat, and heat intolerance.

TPO (thyroid peroxidase) antibodies indicate autoimmune thyroid disease, the most common cause of hypothyroidism. Positive antibodies mean your immune system is attacking your thyroid. Even with normal TSH, positive antibodies increase your risk of developing thyroid problems in the future and warrant monitoring.

Vitamin D is crucial for bone health, immune function, mood, and testosterone production. Deficiency is extremely common, especially in men who spend most time indoors or live in northern climates. Low vitamin D is linked to fatigue, depression, muscle weakness, and increased illness. Optimal levels are 40-60 ng/mL, though many experts suggest at least 50 ng/mL for athletic men.

Vitamin B12 is essential for nerve function, red blood cell production, and DNA synthesis. Deficiency can cause fatigue, weakness, numbness/tingling, memory problems, and anemia. B12 absorption decreases with age, and certain medications (like metformin and acid blockers) can deplete levels. Optimal B12 is above 500 pg/mL, though the lab "normal" range starts lower.

Iron is essential for oxygen transport, energy production, and muscle function. While iron deficiency is less common in men than women, it can still occur with poor diet or gastrointestinal bleeding. Conversely, iron overload (hemochromatosis) is more common in men and can damage the liver, heart, and pancreas. A complete iron panel including ferritin provides the full picture.

Magnesium is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions including energy production, muscle function, and testosterone synthesis. Deficiency is common and can cause fatigue, muscle cramps, poor sleep, anxiety, and cardiovascular issues. Athletes and men under stress have higher magnesium needs. Optimal serum magnesium is at the higher end of the reference range (above 2.0 mg/dL).

Zinc is essential for testosterone production, immune function, wound healing, and protein synthesis. Deficiency is common in athletes due to losses through sweat and can impair testosterone production and immune function. Low zinc levels are associated with reduced fertility and sexual function in men. Optimal zinc is in the upper half of the reference range.