Why Get a Testosterone Test?
A testosterone test makes sense if:
- You suspect low testosterone (fatigue, low libido, poor recovery, mood issues)
- You're tracking baseline hormone status before making nutritional or supplementation changes
- You want objective data on your hormonal status rather than relying on symptoms alone
- You're considering TRT and need baseline bloodwork
Symptoms of low testosterone (low T) include low energy, reduced libido, difficulty building muscle, poor recovery, and mood issues. But these are non-specific—they overlap with sleep deprivation, depression, and overtraining. Bloodwork is the only way to know for certain.
What Markers Actually Matter (The Full Panel)
A comprehensive testosterone assessment includes more than just total testosterone. Here's what to test and why:
Essential markers:
- Total testosterone: Combined free and bound testosterone. Normal range: 300-1000 ng/dL (10-35 nmol/L).
- Free testosterone: The biologically active form. Normal range: 50-210 pg/mL (175-730 pmol/L). This is more important than total T.
- SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin): A protein that binds and inactivates testosterone. High SHBG = lower free testosterone. Normal: 10-100 nmol/L.
- LH (luteinizing hormone): Signals the testes to produce testosterone. Normal: 1.7-8.6 IU/L.
- FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone): Signals sperm production. Normal: 1.5-12.4 IU/L.
- Oestradiol: Testosterone converts to oestradiol via aromatase. High oestradiol contributes to symptoms (water retention, mood issues). Normal: 15-45 pg/mL.
Important supporting markers:
- Prolactin: High prolactin suppresses testosterone. Normal: <18 ng/mL.
- Vitamin D (25-OH-D): Deficiency suppresses testosterone. Target: 75-150 nmol/L.
These are the markers that matter. A basic "total testosterone only" test (often what the NHS offers) is insufficient for diagnosis.
The Three Routes: GP vs Private Labs
Route 1: GP (NHS)
Pros:
- Free
- Legitimate diagnosis record (if you're hypogonadal, GP records it)
Cons:
- Tests only total testosterone (no free T, SHBG, oestradiol)
- Often dismissive of borderline results (symptoms aren't taken seriously unless total T is <200 ng/dL)
- Long waiting times (weeks to months)
- No vitamin D, prolactin, or supporting markers
- Your GP may not be experienced with hormonal assessment
Realistic scenario: You see your GP, they order total testosterone, results come back at 450 ng/dL (technically "normal" though suboptimal), GP says "you're fine," and you get no further support.
When to use: Only if you have severe symptoms and need NHS documentation. Otherwise, private labs are more thorough.
Route 2: Medichecks
What you get:
- Medichecks Male Hormones Advanced: Total T, Free T, SHBG, LH, FSH, Prolactin, Oestradiol, Vitamin D, TSH
- Home finger-prick collection (easier than phlebotomy) or walk-in to partner clinic (if you prefer venous blood)
- Results in 3-5 working days via secure online portal
- Clean, professional interface with clear normal ranges
Pros:
- Comprehensive panel (everything relevant)
- Home collection (convenient)
- Fast turnaround
- Can repeat testing easily for tracking
- Good value for the panel offered
- Results are private (not on NHS record, though you can share them with your GP)
Cons:
- Cost: ~£49-89 depending on which package (basic vs advanced)
- Finger-prick can yield small sample errors (though rare with Medichecks' established protocols)
Cost breakdown (2026 prices):
- Medichecks Male Hormones Basic (Total T, Free T, SHBG): ~£49
- Medichecks Male Hormones Advanced (above + LH, FSH, Prolactin, Oestradiol, Vitamin D, TSH): ~£79-89
The recommendation: Medichecks Male Hormones Advanced is the best value. You get everything relevant for ~£80.
Route 3: Monitor My Health
What you get:
- Similar hormone panels to Medichecks
- NHS-backed (results reviewed by NHS doctors)
- Home or walk-in collection
Pros:
- NHS backing provides credibility
- Good panel options
- Results reviewed by clinicians
Cons:
- Slightly more expensive than Medichecks (~£60-100)
- Slower turnaround (5-7 days typical)
- Fewer customisation options (less flexibility if you want additional markers)
My take: Monitor My Health is slightly more expensive and slower than Medichecks, with no clear advantage. Medichecks is better value.
Route 4: Thriva (Honourable Mention)
What you get:
- Hormone panels
- Home collection
- Fast turnaround
Cons:
- More expensive than Medichecks (typically £70-120)
- Fewer customisation options
- Not as comprehensive for comprehensive hormone panels
My take: Thriva is fine but more expensive than Medichecks for similar offerings. Medichecks remains better value.
Direct Comparison Table
| Provider | Test | Total T | Free T | SHBG | LH/FSH | Oestradiol | Prolactin | Vitamin D | Cost (GBP) | Turnaround | |----------|------|---------|--------|------|--------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|------------| | GP (NHS) | Basic | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | Free | 2-4 weeks | | Medichecks | Advanced | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | £79-89 | 3-5 days | | Monitor My Health | Advanced | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | £85-100 | 5-7 days | | Thriva | Advanced | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | £80-120 | 3-5 days |
My Recommendation for Most People
Best value: Medichecks Male Hormones Advanced, ~£79-89.
You get a comprehensive panel (everything relevant), quick turnaround (3-5 days), private and convenient (home finger-prick or walk-in), and excellent value.
If you want NHS involvement or prefer venous blood, Monitor My Health is reasonable (slightly more expensive, slightly slower, but NHS-backed).
Skip: Generic "total testosterone only" tests or the NHS route (unless you need NHS documentation for a clinical issue).
Practical Testing Protocol
- Order test: Medichecks website, choose Male Hormones Advanced
- Book collection: Home finger-prick (usually next day available) or walk-in to partner clinic
- Fasting state: Not strictly necessary, but test in the morning if possible (testosterone is highest in early morning)
- Lifestyle baseline: If you're testing for baseline purposes, test when your lifestyle is normal (not after a week of sleep deprivation or illness)
- Wait for results: 3-5 days
- Review: Read your results against normal ranges provided; assess free testosterone specifically (often more important than total T)
Understanding Your Results: The Key Markers
Total Testosterone: 300-1000 ng/dL (Normal Range)
- <300 ng/dL: Clinically low (hypogonadism). Consider investigation.
- 300-450 ng/dL: Low-normal. Symptoms possible. Consider dietary/supplementation fixes first (vitamin D, zinc, sleep).
- 450-700 ng/dL: Healthy range.
- 700-1000 ng/dL: High-normal/optimal.
-
1000 ng/dL: Supraphysiological. If not on TRT, investigate further.
Free Testosterone: 50-210 pg/mL (Normal Range)
This is arguably more important than total T. You can have normal total T but low free T if SHBG is elevated.
- <50 pg/mL: Low. Investigate cause (high SHBG, low total T, both).
- 50-100 pg/mL: Low-normal. May experience symptoms.
- 100-160 pg/mL: Healthy range.
-
160 pg/mL: Optimal.
SHBG: 10-100 nmol/L (Normal Range)
- Low SHBG: More free testosterone even if total T is modest. Often healthy (associated with good metabolic health).
- High SHBG: Binds testosterone, leaving less free. Can be caused by excessive alcohol, high oestrogen, liver disease, or simply genetics.
If your total T is 500 ng/dL but SHBG is 80 nmol/L, your free T may be suboptimal despite normal total T.
LH and FSH: Interpretation
- Low LH + low total T: Primary hypogonadism (testicles not responding) or secondary (pituitary not signalling). Requires investigation.
- Normal LH + low total T: Secondary hypogonadism (pituitary issue). Investigation needed.
- High LH + low total T: Primary hypogonadism (testicles failing). More difficult to treat naturally.
For baseline assessment, normal LH and FSH indicate your pituitary is functioning normally.
Oestradiol: 15-45 pg/mL (Normal Range)
- Low oestradiol: Rare in men. Can cause poor bone health.
- 15-45 pg/mL: Healthy range.
-
45 pg/mL: Elevated. May contribute to water retention, mood issues, gynecomastia risk. Often seen with high body fat.
Prolactin: <18 ng/mL (Normal Range)
- Elevated prolactin suppresses GnRH and LH, reducing testosterone. Worth checking. If elevated, investigate (pituitary prolactinoma, hypothyroidism, medications).
Vitamin D: 75-150 nmol/L (Optimal Range)
- <50 nmol/L: Deficient. Suppresses testosterone. Supplement immediately.
- 50-75 nmol/L: Insufficient. Consider supplementation.
- 75-150 nmol/L: Optimal for health and testosterone.
-
150 nmol/L: High (generally fine, but unnecessarily high).
Next Steps After Testing
If results are normal (all markers healthy):
- You're not hypogonadal. Symptoms are likely from other sources (sleep, stress, overtraining, poor nutrition).
- Focus on: consistent sleep (8+ hours), stress management, adequate training stimulus, protein intake, micronutrient status.
If free testosterone is low but total T is normal:
- High SHBG is the likely issue. Causes: excessive alcohol, high body fat, high oestrogen. Solutions: reduce alcohol, lose body fat, improve insulin sensitivity.
- Supplement with: vitamin D (if deficient), zinc (if deficient). Avoid supplements that boost oestrogen (like certain herbal adaptogens).
If total testosterone is low (<300 ng/dL):
- See an NHS endocrinologist or private clinic specialising in TRT. Low testosterone is treatable via TRT if warranted.
- Don't supplement your way out of clinical hypogonadism. You likely need pharmaceutical-grade testosterone.
If total testosterone is 300-450 ng/dL (low-normal) and you have symptoms:
- Optimise micronutrients first (vitamin D to 75-150 nmol/L, zinc to adequate intake, magnesium, omega-3).
- Optimise lifestyle (8+ hours sleep, strength training, stress management).
- Retest in 12 weeks. If still low and symptomatic, consider investigation or TRT.
Where to Order Testosterone Tests in the UK
- Medichecks: https://www.medichecks.com/ (recommended)
- Monitor My Health: https://www.monitormyhealth.org.uk/
- Thriva: https://www.thriva.co/
- Your GP: NHS (free, but less comprehensive)
Summary
Getting a testosterone test is worthwhile if you suspect low testosterone or want baseline data.
Best option: Medichecks Male Hormones Advanced (~£79-89). You get a comprehensive panel, quick turnaround, home convenience, and excellent value.
What to test: Total T, Free T, SHBG, LH, FSH, Oestradiol, Prolactin, Vitamin D. Not just total T.
Interpretation focus: Free testosterone is often more important than total testosterone. Pair with vitamin D, SHBG, and LH assessment for a complete picture.
If low: Optimise micronutrients and lifestyle first. Retest in 12 weeks. If still low and symptomatic, investigate further or consider TRT via a specialist clinic.
For most UK men interested in understanding their hormonal status, Medichecks Advanced is the practical, affordable, comprehensive option.