Compare Panels (Quest Diagnostics Panels Only)

This panel includes main blood test variables monitored by many clinics that treat men with low testosterone.  This panel is for men who are already on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and who want to monitor their main blood tests. You save substantial amounts of money by ordering these tests together rather than one at a time.

 The panel includes:

 - Testosterone, Free, Equilibrium Dialysis With Total Testosterone, LC/MS

- Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG)

- Estradiol (Ultra sensitive- LC/MS assay)

- CBC (includes glucose, hematocrit, and immune cells)

- CMP (includes liver and kidney function, eGFR)

- Lipids (LDL and HDL cholesterol and triglycerides) FASTING REQUIRED

You can add DHT, DHEA, TSH, Free T3, free T4  and Prolactin for a more comprehensive picture of your hormonal health.

An Introduction into TRT Male Hormone & Wellness Panel

This comprehensive and complex panel is designed especially for men undergoing testosterone therapy replacement to assess the progress of the medication recommended.

This panel is one of the most cost-effective and exhaustive choices, it comprises tests like

• Testosterone, Free, Equilibrium Dialysis With Total Testosterone, LC/MS
• Ultra Sensitive Estradiol
• Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)
• CBC (glucose, hematocrit, and immune cells)
• CMP-tests to evaluate liver and kidney function, eGFR
• Lipids check up-LDL and HDL cholesterol and triglycerides

All these get run together through this panel will save lots of time and money and overall bring the most value for your health.

Testosterone, Free, Equilibrium Dialysis With Total Testosterone, LC/MS

Testosterone is the primary male hormone, helping in developing all the masculine features, it is mainly produced in testicles.

For women, testosterone is not a definitory hormone even though they are producing it as well in ovaries. Some women though may have higher levels which may create several undesired consequences in the long run.

This test package is a complex and powerful form of information for men, especially for the ones who happen to suffer from thyroid disorders, obesity, or cirrhosis.

The result of the tests may show how the binding proteins of the testosterone are disrupted and also evaluate the testicular condition.

Testosterone tests are mainly ordered for men who either use the testosterone substitution therapy already and want to keep up with the progress or for men who experience symptoms like infertility, decrease in muscle mass, impotence, loss of libido.

For women, it is also a helpful test if symptoms like hair loss, irregular menstruations, excessive body and facial hair, and infertility appear. If testosterone levels are higher than normal, this may indicate conditions like virilization or hirsutism.

Usually, the total testosterone is linked to the SHBG hormone and a smaller fraction to the albumin. Free testosterone is found in very low concentrations throughout the body, it is the part left unlinked to SHBG proteins or albumin.

Usual testosterone tests are not specific enough when it comes to identifying the free testosterone levels. Hence, it is used a procedure called equilibrium ultrafiltration

Equilibrium ultrafiltration is achieved through adding tritiated testosterone in the sample analyzed and going through a process of stabilization.

After this stabilization, the free testosterone from the sample is separated through centrifugal ultrafiltration. The percentage of free testosterone from the sample is then used to calculate the free testosterone

The Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)

The sex hormone-binding globulin is a very important protein for both men and women. It is known to have a powerful link to three hormones: testosterone, estradiol, and dihydrotestosterone.

This protein is produced by the liver and carries with it these hormones throughout the body and distributes them in their place.

Testosterone is the most important hormone associated with this protein and this is why they are commonly tested together. Usually, the test is ordered when men and women have abnormal levels.

High SHBG can lower free testosterone. Read about how to lower SHBG.

Ultra Sensitive Estradiol LC/MS Assay

Estradiol is the most biologically active of all estrogens. It plays a very important role in increasing the volume of the endometrium, the vagina, and the mammary glands.

Estradiol is produced in the ovaries, testicles, and cortex of the adrenal glands. More than 95% of estradiol is bound to SHBG, the sex hormone-binding globulin.

Estradiol contributes to bone health, body distribution, sex drive, and cognitive function.

In men, estradiol is produced by the testicles and adrenal glands.

To evaluate correctly the estradiol levels, liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) technology. The old method of measuring estradiol using immunoassays may overestimate estradiol in men. Also, this technology has a higher sensitivity and a broad range which helps diagnose correctly and evaluate conditions like gynecomastia in men or bone loss density.

Emerging data shows that the testosterone-to-estradiol ratio may be better correlated to libido and fertility in men.

What Does a CBC Panel Contain?

The CBC provides important information about the hematologic system and other organ systems. The blood count consists of the automatic measurement of the following parameters:

• Glucose
• Hematocrit
• Immune cells -phagocytes and lymphocytes

Glucose, also known as blood sugar, is one of the fuels of our organisms. Glucose can be extracted from foods, especially carbohydrates like bread, vegetables, fruits and fermented products like dairies.

Right after we ingest carbohydrates, they split into several sugar types, among them glucose, which is a monounsaturated one.

Once it has broken down, the small intestine absorbs it and transports it to cells where it can finally produce energy. Glucose is often associated with the hormone insulin, as the latter secures the glucose in cells.

Your doctor may ask you to do this test to diagnose or monitor diabetes, evaluate cases of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, liver disorders, pancreatic cancer, or evaluate an excess of weight.

Hematocrit is generally defined as the percentage of erythrocytes in the blood volume, it is one of the important hematological parameters that help diagnose certain diseases.

Hematocrit measures the volume of red blood cells compared to the total volume of blood (ie red blood cells and plasma).

The normal value of hematocrit in men is between 40 and 54%. For women, the value is between 36 and 48% (sometimes between 37% and 47%). This value can be determined directly by centrifugation of the hematocrit or it can be calculated indirectly.

The hematocrit test is part of the complete blood count. It measures the proportion of erythrocytes in a patient's blood and can help the doctor diagnose or monitor the patient's response to treatment.

High values of HT may arise in case of dehydration, heart disorders, poisoning with carbon monoxide or testosterone use. On the contrary, low levels may indicate thyroid dysfunction, vitamin deficiencies, or hemorrhage.

Immune cells are also known as white blood cells and even if they are found in small quantities in the body, their role is massive. Leukocytes, as they are also called, are stored in the lymph system, more precisely in the thymus, bone marrow, lymph nodes, and spleen. They are protecting the organism from viruses and bacteria.

The leukocytes are categorized in two main ways according to their role

• Phagocytes (neutrophils, macrophages, monocytes, and mast cells)
• Lymphocytes (B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes)

The main role of phagocytes is to help in the healing process, provide a shield against bacteria, contribute to the renewal of the skin, and defend the body against different pathogens, while lymphocytes have a memorizing role.

They retain information from previous attacks and prepare for a comeback by producing antibodies and destroying cells that cannot recover.

The immune system is our ally in the battle with different viruses, bacteria, or pathogens. Keeping these little fighters healthy can keep us away from many conditions.

Your doctor may recommend this test to assess your overall health and diagnose disorders like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus.

What does a CMP Contain?

This panel is a very complex one and may indicate a series of irregularities mostly related to the kidney and liver. It measures their performance alongside glucose levels, electrolytes ,and fluids.

All these are essential for our body, each having a specific role in creating an equilibrium in our organism.

Your doctor might request this panel as part of a yearly routine or as a way to confirm certain suspicions regarding diabetes, hypertension, etc.

The panel comprises 14 elements to be analyzed:

• Albumin
• Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
• Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
• Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)
• Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
• Calcium
• Carbon Dioxide (Bicarbonate)
• Chloride
• Creatinine
• Glucose
• Potassium
• Sodium
• Total Bilirubin
• Total Protein

What does a Lipid Profile Include?

This package includes the necessary analysis to draw a lipid profile and evaluate risks for cardiovascular disease.

Fasting is required to perform these tests so the results can be more accurate, The time needed for fasting is usually determined by your practitioner but usually, 12 hours before the test is enough.

LDL stands for low-density lipoproteins; this is also known as bad cholesterol because they may clog your arterial walls with an extra deposit of cholesterol, causing atherosclerosis. This happens as the blood flow cannot get through the arteries. Being untreated may lead to serious health issues like a stroke, heart attack, or, in the worst case scenario, death.

HDL stands for density lipoproteins, which, contrary to LDL, is known as good cholesterol. The HDL travels through the body until it gets to the liver, where it starts to be eliminated.

Triglycerides are fats (lipids) that move in the blood and can be stored in the tissues of the body. If you have to do anything about triglycerides, it depends on how big they are.

When you consume more calories than you need, the body forms triglycerides and stores them in fat cells.

This type of lipid can be metabolized later to create energy. High-fat foods increase triglycerides, but sugar and alcohol have an even stronger effect. Elevated levels may lead to a risk of heart disease and stroke.

Order Your TRT Panel Now

If you are looking for a comprehensive panel that includes some of the most important tests when it comes to TRT, and you also want to save time and money, this may be your best guess.

To this panel, there are some other valuable, more specific tests that you can add for a more complex panel. These are: DHT, DHEA, TSH, Free T3, free T4, and Prolactin. For this and more hormone-related panels, go access DiscountedLabs.com and choose what is best for you at a fair price.

Here are two other panels that include additional tests:

Elite Male Blood Test Panel

Comprehensive Male Hormone Panel II

IMPORTANT: Discounted Labs only serves these states: Find a Location 

HOW DOES DISCOUNTEDLABS.COM WORK?

1- Go to the "Find a Location" page to find the closest lab location.

2- Go to "Choose a Test" and add your selection (s) in the shopping cart.

3- If you have a discount coupon code, add it to your cart.

4- Pay using a credit card.

5- You will receive an order confirmation and a lab request emails within business hours. 

6- Print lab request form attached to the lab request form email (PDF file). 

7- Take that form to the closest lab with a picture ID. Get your blood drawn. No lab fee is required.

9- You will receive an email when the results are ready.

Important Note: You cannot place an order under someone else's profile. The profile person's name will appear on the lab order form. Please create your profile. You are allowed to use someone else's credit card as payment.

Suggested Reading: Testosterone Replacement Blood Test Targets

No fasting required.