How To Choose The Best Home Testosterone Kit For You
Its important to choose a home testosterone kit produced by a reputable brand that delivers results on a timeline that works for you. You might also want to think about costs, collection methods, and whether the brand connects you with medical professionals to go over your results. Some other qualities to look out for are:
What Is A Testosterone Levels Test
A testosterone levels test measures the amount of testosterone in a sample of your blood. Testosterone is known as a “male” sex hormone, but females have testosterone in smaller amounts.
Testosterone is made by:
- The testicles , the part of the male reproductive system that makes sperm
- The ovaries, the part of the female reproductive system that makes eggs
- The adrenal glands, organs on top of each kidney that make several hormones
During male puberty, testosterone causes body hair, muscle growth, and a deepening voice. In adult life, it controls sex drive, maintains muscle mass, and helps make sperm. In females, testosterone is important for the growth of bones and muscles, and healthy organs.
There are different forms of testosterone in your blood that may be measured to help diagnose certain health problems. Most of your testosterone is attached to proteins. The proteins prevent your tissues from using the testosterone right away, which helps control the amount of “active” testosterone in your body. Testosterone that’s not attached to proteins is called free testosterone. Free testosterone acts on your tissues.
Three types of blood tests measure these different forms of testosterone:
Other names: serum testosterone, total testosterone, free testosterone, bioavailable testosterone
Benefits Of The Home Male Hormone Test Kit
Convenience
Thetests are carried out by highly accredited labs and the results are availablein 2 5 days. You do not have to take time off work or visit any test lab oryour physician office.
Control
The complete testing process is under your control, and the results can be easily managed from a secure online account. You do not have to run after the nurses and doctors requesting for your results.
Accuracy
At home male hormone test kit is accurate and reliable.
Takeaway
Low levels of testosterone could just be the result of normal aging phenomena. However, some other health conditions could also cause testosterone levels to drop. In either case, the best solution is to consult your health provider for an accurate diagnosis and recommended therapies and treatment options.
References
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Testing For Hyperandrogenism In Women
Serum total testosterone is frequently normal in women with mild clinical hyperandrogenism . cBAT testing has a better diagnostic yield for testosterone excess in women.19 Repeat serum testosterone testing is not indicated if cBAT is normal. Testing of other androgens is dependent on clinical findings and is beyond the scope of this protocol for more information refer to the BC Guideline.caHormone Testing – Indications and Appropriate Use. For women who have regular menstrual cycles, collection should be performed in the morning on day 410.18
Why Measure In Blood Spot
Blood spot is ideal for measuring hormones and other analytes. Unlike traditional serum, there is no need for a blood draw saving you time and money. Male Excel partners with one of the only labs to offer the dried blood spot method commercially.
No Needles, No Office Visit
Male Excels blood spot collection eliminates the need for blood draw needles and fees, as well as the need to see a phlebotomist. Patients can collect their sample easily and conveniently from their own home. Research also shows that blood spot is more accurate than traditional testing for measuring blood hormone levels in patients on hormone treatments.
Unlike other labs, patients do not need to stop hormone supplementation to use Male Excels testing because we have ranges adjusted for age and supplementation types. Because of this, blood spot testing is the ideal method for tracking the effectiveness of hormone treatments.
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Luteinizing Hormone And Male Infertility
LH is the hormonal signal from the brain that tells the testicles to make testosterone. LH testing is generally only needed when there is a question about how well the pituitary is functioning overall. Normal LH levels are in the range of 1.08.0 IU/L, but theres a high degree of fluctuation in these tests, with results varying as much as 50 percent from test to test. Repeat testing may be indicated for unexpected results that do not seem to match the clinical picture.
If LH levels are low , this usually is a result of either suppression of pituitary gland function or pituitary insufficiency. Suppression of pituitary gland function is most commonly the result of using androgenic substances such as testosterone injections, anabolic steroids, or prohormones, but rare causes can include androgen-secreting tumors or overactivity of the adrenal gland . Pituitary insufficiency can be the result of congenital problems, systemic illness, or past surgery, radiation, or trauma to the pituitary gland. Low LH levels combined with normal or high total testosterone levels is generally consistent with the use of androgenic substances, while low LH and low total testosterone levels are more likely consistent with pituitary insufficiency.
If the LH levels are normal but the total testosterone levels are low, this may mean the pituitary gland is not responding normally to the decreased testosterone levels.
Does Insurance Cover At
Health insurance plans dont generally cover at-home tests. Most insurers prefer that you undergo laboratory testing in a doctors office if you have symptoms of low T.
However, you may be able to pay using a Flexible Spending Account or Health Savings Account . You can also check with your insurance provider to see if youre eligible for reimbursement.
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What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Low Estrogen In Men
In men, male menopause may result from too little estrogen in addition to lower testosterone levels, at least according to some recent studies. Diminished libido, strength and energy are the main symptoms. However, testosterone levels tend not to fall as sharply in aging men as estrogen does in women who are post-menopausal. Further research is needed to determine if changes that come with aging are due to hormonal declines and if so, which hormones are the culprit.
Testing For Testosterone Deficiency In Men
Serum total testosterone is the initial test of choice. Specimens must be collected in the morning,8 preferably before 10AM, or within 3 hours of waking, and preferably in a fasting state.5, 9 Testing should occur when the sleep-wake pattern is stable . Testing of serum total testosterone should be performed when patients are clinically well do not test during acute illness or hospitalization.
If the total testosterone level is below the lab-specific lower limit of normal , and 6 nmol/L in older men ),1013 and a diagnostic question remains, cBAT can be used to confirm or rule out hypogonadism.
For men, total testosterone levels may be low but the cBAT normal when the SHBG concentration is decreased. Total testosterone levels may be normal but cBAT low when SHBG concentration is increased. Idiopathic elevations in SHBG are well known as are other conditions that are associated with mild to marked changes in the SHBG concentration. Refer to Appendix C: Conditions Associated with Altered SHBG Concentrations in Men and Women .
Note that testosterone is characterized by episodic secretion: 30% of men with mildly hypogonadal serum testosterone levels will have a normal level on retesting.
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Male Hormone Plus Test
Another home test is termed as the Male Hormone Plus Test, and it checks for Oestradiol in addition to the above three tests. Oestradiol is a steroid hormone, and males need to check for libido levels, erectile function, and spermatogenesis. It is also called estradiol, and it is an estrogen, and it is a major female sex hormone. It is found in both males and females, but it has many functions in females.
At Home Male Hormone Test Kit
Male hormone test kits are easily available nowadays. Before you see your doctor, these test kits help you measure your hormone levels. The sample can easily be collected at home because these test kits test your saliva. The number of samples to be collected and instructions of how they are to be collected depends on the test kit. However, all home test kits need you to send your samples to a laboratory for testing. After that, you will get the results within a few days or a few weeks.
One of the best companies to buy a male hormone test kit is from Letsgetchecked.com. They are one of the most reliable, accurate, and cheapest place online to get the test kits.
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A Note About Sex And Gender
Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms, male, female, or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. .
A home testosterone test is a simple kit allowing a person to test their testosterone levels. This can help indicate if an individual has low testosterone. The kits are available to purchase online.
What Causes A Hormone Imbalance
Hormonal imbalance can occur when the endocrine glands are not functioning properly, for example, the thyroid gland and pituitary gland. An overactive or underactive thyroid can cause a hormonal imbalance.
If you suffer from chronic stress, then high levels of the stress hormone cortisol will impact the production of other key hormones such as progesterone. The body will create more cortisol by using available progesterone, thus depleting progesterone levels. Progesterone is a key balancing hormone so will impact the production of other hormones such as oestrogen.
Conditions such as type 1 and 2 diabetes and Cushings syndrome can also result in a hormone imbalance.
And finally, a poor diet and lack of good nutrition will also have an impact, as well as your age. As women enter the menopause around their mid-forties their hormones will begin to fluctuate.
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Do You Ship To All 50 States
At this time, in compliance with individual state regulations, Hones services are only available in 36 states.
But were rapidly growing and adding new states all the time.
If you try to order a test kit on the Hone website in a state we currently dont service, input your email. As soon as Hone does expand to cover your state, youll get an email notifying you that our services are available.
Other Male Fertility Testing Options
- Sperm agglutination a test to determine if the sperm are clumping together, making it hard for them to move through cervical mucus
- Testicular biopsy removal of a small piece of tissue from the tubules in the testes, used to evaluate how well sperm are being produced
- Hemizona assay a test where a non-usable human egg is cut in half to observe whether your sperm can penetrate the outer layer
- Vasography an x-ray to see if the vas deferens is blocked or leaking sperm
- Ultrasonography an exam that allows your doctor to locate damage or blockage in the male reproductive tract
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Testosterone Analysis In Women
Testosterone testing is indicated for investigation of signs and symptoms of hyperandrogenism in women based on medical history and clinical examination. Testosterone testing is not indicated for the investigation of women with low libido.16
The upper limit of normal for testosterone in women is approximately 2-3 nmol/L, or slightly higher depending on menstrual phase and use of oral contraceptive medications.17 In polycystic ovarian syndrome, total testosterone concentrations are within the normal reference interval or slightly higher. Consequently, testosterone concentrations greater than twice the upper limit of normal suggest an alternate etiology, such as an androgen-secreting tumour.
Who May Need A Male Hormone Panel
Men who are experiencing any variety of symptoms commonly associated with lower testosterone and other hormone levels, such as depression, bone loss, erectile dysfunction, memory loss, weight gain, or an enlarged prostate, can benefit from having a Male Hormone Panel performed. Also, those who are already undergoing hormone replacement therapy for any of these conditions, or others which are related, can use the test to determine the effectiveness of these treatments.
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Best For Affordability: Everlywell Testosterone Test
This Everlywell Testosterone Test requires a saliva sample. A person must register their kit when it arrives, take their sample, and return it to one of Everlywells CLIA-certified labs. The certification requires that labs meet high federal and state standards.
Pros and cons
Individuals will receive their personalized results online within a few days after an in-state physician reviews them.
The company does not currently accept insurance, but it takes FSA and HSA payments.
Price: Everlywells testosterone tests are available to purchase online for around $50, but individuals may also opt for a membership if they require regular testing. This costs around $25 per month.
The Guidelines And Protocols Advisory Committee
The principles of the Guidelines and Protocols Advisory Committee are to:
- encourage appropriate responses to common medical situations
- recommend actions that are sufficient and efficient, neither excessive nor deficient
- permit exceptions when justified by clinical circumstances
Contact Information:Guidelines and Protocols Advisory CommitteePO Box 9642 STN PROV GOVTVictoria BC V8W 9P1Website: www.BCGuidelines.ca
DisclaimerThe Clinical Practice Guidelines have been developed by the Guidelines and Protocols Advisory Committee on behalf of the Medical Services Commission. The Guidelines are intended to give an understanding of a clinical problem, and outline one or more preferred approaches to the investigation and management of the problem. The Guidelines are not intended as a substitute for the advice or professional judgment of a health care professional, nor are they intended to be the only approach to the management of clinical problem. We cannot respond to patients or patient advocates requesting advice on issues related to medical conditions. If you need medical advice, please contact a health care professional.
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How Do I Choose The Right Home Testosterone Test For Me
There are many different factors that go into choosing an at-home test, such as:
- Would you rather avoid a finger prick?
- Do you have a budget?
- Are you on a time crunch?
You may also want to look at reviews to see if other people have found that certain brands provide better accuracy than others.
Also, certain brands may not be able to deliver results to certain states, so make sure you live in a state where the results of at-home kits can eventually be sent to you.
Normal Values And Reference Range
It is very important to remember that normal values are not the range of values typically listed to the right of your test results on the official lab report. These printed values are the reference valuesthe range into which 95 percent of patients tested in that particular lab fall. This reference range can often include lab values that are well outside of the actual normal range for that hormone. For example, FSH reference ranges printed on lab reports often say something like 1.115.0 MIU/mL when in reality an FSH of more than 7.0 MIU/mL is considered abnormally high from a clinical standpoint. So do not use the printed reference ranges on lab reports as a definition of what is actually normal for that lab value. Instead, refer to the values indicated on this website or discuss your results with your own fertility provider.
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Health And Lifestyle Choices
What you choose to put in your body can have an impact on your fertility. Drug use, specifically, steroid use, can lead to a decreased size of the testicles and decreased sperm production. In addition to drug use, excess alcohol and even tobacco use can lead to decreased sperm production. Other lifestyle factors include emotional stress, depression and obesity.
What treatments are available?
Depending on the underlying cause of infertility, there is an array of treatment options available. If the root of the problem is related to a hormone imbalance, a hormonal intervention can balance the reproductive hormones and optimize sperm production. If the problems with fertility stem from a genetic or anatomical issue, surgical procedures can help extract healthy sperm to use for in-vitro fertilization. If male infertility is caused by a blockage within the sperm transport tubes, or by a varicocele, minimally invasive surgeries can correct the issue.If you feel that you may be experiencing male infertility, reach out to one of our providers. You can learn more information, or schedule an appointment by calling Alliance Urology Specialists in Greensboro at 274-1114.
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Male Hormone Imbalance Test
Hormone testing is important for aging men. Hormone imbalances can be caught early through saliva testing because the hormones being tested are active hormones. Because hormone blood tests only measure protein-bound hormones, understanding the true effect of hormone imbalances is difficult. Saliva testing is the most effective way to identify hormone imbalances.
This comprehensive saliva test, by DiagnosTechs, is recommended for men who are concerned about potential hormone imbalances and those who are taking the steroid .
Symptoms of hormone imbalances in males include: Weight gain, enlarged prostate, infertility, loss of motivation, depression, an abnormal increase in emotionsSigns of hormone imbalances in males include: High Body Mass Index , puffy nipples and areola , loss of body hairHealth Issues associated with hormone imbalances: Diabetes, breast cancer, heart disease, prostate cancer, balding, poor quality of life
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