Men’s hormones PLUS

The panel includes eight measurements, each answering a slightly different question.

• Total testosterone: measures all testosterone circulating in the blood, including testosterone bound to proteins.
• Free testosterone: measures the fraction that is not bound to proteins and is available to tissues.
• SHBG: sex hormone-binding globulin carries testosterone and estradiol through the bloodstream and influences how much testosterone remains available.
• LH: luteinising hormone is produced by the pituitary gland and stimulates testosterone production in the testes.
• FSH: follicle-stimulating hormone is another pituitary hormone and plays an important role in sperm production.
• Prolactin: a pituitary hormone that can influence reproductive and sexual function in men when levels are altered.
• Estradiol: the main form of oestrogen measured in blood. Men produce estradiol too, mainly through the conversion of testosterone.
• Total PSA: prostate-specific antigen is a protein produced by prostate tissue. It is included as an additional prostate health marker.

The panel requires a blood sample.

Searching for a “testosterone test” makes it sound as though one measurement can explain the entire male hormonal system. Biology, predictably, refused to be that convenient.

Total testosterone tells you how much testosterone is circulating overall, while free testosterone and SHBG add information about how much may actually be available to tissues. This distinction matters because two men can have similar total testosterone results while having different SHBG levels and therefore a different hormonal picture.

LH and FSH then move the investigation further upstream. They are produced by the pituitary gland and help regulate testosterone production and sperm development. Looking at them alongside testosterone can give a doctor more context about where a hormonal change may be coming from.

Prolactin and estradiol add another layer. Both interact with the male reproductive system, and their results can help make sense of a testosterone result that would otherwise be sitting alone on the page.

This is why a broader male hormone panel can be more informative than ordering only a testosterone blood test.

PSA answers a different question. It is not part of the testosterone pathway, but including it adds a prostate marker to the same blood draw.

There is no single reason someone orders a male hormone test.

Some men want to investigate symptoms that could have a hormonal component. Others are looking at fertility, monitoring previous results, discussing testosterone treatment with a doctor, or simply establishing a baseline before there is anything specific to investigate.

Male hormone testing may be relevant when discussing:

• changes in sexual function
• unexplained changes in body composition
• reduced strength or muscle mass
• fertility or sperm production
• breast tissue changes
• changes in body or facial hair
• previous abnormal testosterone results
• follow-up of hormone-related treatment

None of these automatically means there is a testosterone problem. Sleep, stress, medication, body weight, illness and many other factors can affect both symptoms and hormone measurements.

That is exactly why a blood test is useful. It gives your doctor actual values to interpret rather than asking symptoms to do all the detective work.

Men's hormones PLUS is performed from a blood sample.

If you take testosterone, anabolic steroids, fertility medication or any other hormone-related treatment, make sure your doctor knows when interpreting the results. Supplements and prescription medication can also affect some laboratory measurements.

Do not stop medication or hormone treatment simply because you are having a blood test. Any changes to treatment should be discussed with the healthcare professional managing it.

Previous results are worth keeping too. Hormone measurements often become more useful when your doctor can compare them with an earlier test and see whether there has been a meaningful change.

A laboratory reference range is useful, but it is not an automatic dividing line between “healthy” and “unhealthy”.

Testosterone levels can vary with age, time of day, medication, illness and other physiological factors. SHBG can change how a total testosterone result should be understood, while LH and FSH provide information about the signals controlling the reproductive system.

That means a testosterone result should rarely be read in isolation.

For example, total testosterone, free testosterone and SHBG answer related but different questions. LH and FSH help your doctor understand the hormonal signalling behind them. Prolactin and estradiol may provide additional context when something does not fit neatly into the first set of numbers.

PSA also requires professional interpretation. A PSA blood test can be affected by several factors and an elevated value does not, by itself, diagnose prostate cancer or any other prostate condition.

The useful question is therefore not simply, “Is my testosterone normal?” It is, “What do these results mean together, considering my age, symptoms, medication and previous measurements?”

That is a much better conversation to have with your doctor.

Getting a private male hormone blood test in Spain does not need to begin with finding someone to issue a laboratory referral.

With Diagnostic Station, you buy Men's hormones PLUS online and go to the available partner laboratory during its collection hours. The test is already defined, so you know which markers are included before you pay.

That makes it particularly useful if you already know you want a testosterone and male hormone panel, your doctor abroad has asked you to repeat hormone tests, or you want results you can take to your own doctor afterwards.

Diagnostic Station works with partner laboratories in Spain, including locations in Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and Málaga. The laboratory performs the blood draw and analysis and provides your results.

The process is deliberately simple: choose the test online, go to the laboratory for the blood sample, then use the report for the conversation that actually matters, the one with your doctor.

What blood tests check male hormones?

A male hormone blood test can include total testosterone, free testosterone, SHBG, LH, FSH, prolactin and estradiol. Men's hormones PLUS measures all seven together and also includes total PSA as a prostate marker.

What is included in a testosterone panel?

There is no universal definition of a testosterone panel. Some tests measure only total testosterone, while broader male hormone panels may include free testosterone, SHBG, LH, FSH, prolactin and estradiol. Always check the exact marker list before buying a test.

What is the difference between total and free testosterone?

Total testosterone measures all testosterone circulating in the bloodstream. Free testosterone measures the smaller fraction that is not bound to proteins. SHBG helps explain the relationship between the two because it binds testosterone in the blood.

Why test SHBG with testosterone?

SHBG influences how much testosterone is bound and how much remains available to tissues. Measuring SHBG alongside total and free testosterone gives your doctor more context than total testosterone alone.

What do LH and FSH show in men?

LH and FSH are produced by the pituitary gland. LH stimulates testosterone production in the testes, while FSH is involved in sperm production. They can help a doctor interpret testosterone or fertility-related results.

Is estradiol important in men?

Yes. Men naturally produce estradiol, primarily through the conversion of testosterone. Estradiol contributes to several normal physiological functions, so it can be useful to measure as part of a broader male hormone profile.

Why is prolactin included in a male hormone test?

Prolactin is produced by the pituitary gland and forms part of the reproductive hormonal system in men. Abnormal levels can affect other reproductive hormones, which is why it is often interpreted alongside testosterone, LH and FSH.

Does this test check fertility?

The panel includes FSH, LH and testosterone, which are involved in male reproductive function, but it does not directly measure sperm count, concentration, movement or morphology. Those require a semen analysis.

Does this test include a PSA blood test?

Yes. Men's hormones PLUS includes total PSA. PSA is a prostate marker rather than a hormone and should be interpreted in context by a healthcare professional.

Can a blood test diagnose low testosterone?

A blood test measures testosterone concentration, but a diagnosis is not based on one laboratory value alone. Your doctor considers the result alongside symptoms, medical history, medication and, when appropriate, repeat measurements.

Can I get a male hormone blood test without a referral in Spain?

With Diagnostic Station, you can buy Men's hormones PLUS online without obtaining a doctor's referral first, then go to the available partner laboratory during collection hours for the blood sample. You can take the laboratory report to your own doctor for interpretation.

Where can I get a testosterone test in Spain?

Diagnostic Station offers online access to laboratory tests through partner laboratory locations in Spain, including Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and Málaga. Availability depends on the selected test and location.

This content is for information only. Your results should be interpreted by a healthcare professional, who can also advise you on any diagnosis or treatment.