Table of Content
- Can this test help me see if my testosterone supplements (like gels or implants) are working?
- Control These Habits to Increase Your Testosterone Levels Naturally
- A note on accessing gender-affirming hormone replacement therapy
- When to see a doctor
- Testosterone Level Test Kits
- How to Test Testosterone Levels at Home
It’s important to work with a professional to rule out or treat any conditions. Make sure to read through the instructions and take any necessary precautions to make sure that you don’t accidentally damage or taint your blood sample. Blood test kits will come with a pinprick mechanism that can break the skin on your finger and allow a small amount of blood to flow. And these resources could help you identify a healthcare professional who is an LGBTQIA+ ally. If you’re struggling to access HRT in your area, this map maintained by trans activist Erin Reed can help you find a clinic that operates on an informed consent basis. That means you won’t need to provide a letter from a therapist or go through other gatekeeping measures to start HRT.
Genetics, your activity level, and your overall health also play a role in T levels. Differentiating between your Total T and free testosterone levels is a key part of understanding how T works in your body as well as how to optimize your health. Testosterone has many different effects on the body, any of these can be disrupted or reduced if your testosterone levels drop. If you start to feel anxious, depressed or just simply ‘down’ then you should get your testosterone levels checked. Some companies like LetsGetChecked and Everlywell offer full hormone tests that measure testosterone, as well as other hormones like cortisol and DHEA.
Can this test help me see if my testosterone supplements (like gels or implants) are working?
If the levels are not within a standard range, you can discuss treatments, including natural ways to change T levels. Some research suggests salivary testing is not fully reliable, though. Supplemental tests, such as serum testing, are necessary to ensure that salivary test results are accurate.
To collect your sample, you’ll simply read through the sample collection instructions or watch the instructive video linked in the kit before pricking your finger. Then you’ll use a prepaid shipping label – also included with the kit – to send the sample to a lab for analysis. If your free testosterone levels are too low, testosterone replacement therapy may be needed.
Control These Habits to Increase Your Testosterone Levels Naturally
It’s important to follow the directions on the testosterone test’s packaging carefully. For example, many require you to not eat or drink for a certain amount of time before providing a saliva sample. This is when testosterone levels are likely to be at their lowest. The presence of blood in a saliva testosterone test can throw off results . This is why many kits will recommend refraining from brushing your teeth for at least an hour before collecting a sample.
Included in the purchase price is a requisition approved by an Imaware telemedicine doctor so there are fewer state-based restrictions. As a result, you don’t need a separate prescription or requisition to purchase the test. The company does not file the test with your insurance company, but it does provide information should you wish to pursue reimbursement from your HSA/FSA. Everlywell takes our top spot due to having a great reputation, an affordable price point, ease of getting, taking, and submitting the testosterone test, and fast turnaround for results.
A note on accessing gender-affirming hormone replacement therapy
If your testosterone levels are below 300 ng/dL and you safely pass the 8 other blood level indicators measured as part of the test, you may be a good candidate for testosterone therapy. Its considered the gold standard method by many researchers in measuring small molecules. Its accuracy and consistency is why the CDC is recommending LC/MS to be the standard method used when testing total testosterone. Because LC/MS is more sensitive than ECLIA, doctors typically use this method when testing patients with really low testosterone levels, such as women and children.
Improving your sleep may also help reduce erectile dysfunction symptoms. If you’re taking any medications or supplements that abnormally affect your testosterone levels, your doctor may ask you to stop taking them or suggest an alternative. Some medications, including opiates, can also decrease your testosterone levels. Low T levels may cause different symptoms depending on your age, your sex assigned at birth, and whether or not you’re undergoing hormone replacement therapy as part of a gender transition. An underlying health problem like a pituitary gland disorder or an injury can reduce testosterone levels. Exercise is another no-lab testosterone test that you can do, to determine whether your levels are high or low.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of depression, potency issues, weight gain, increased body fat, or fatigue, Verisana’s testosterone testing kit might be for you. Once you collect your sample and mail it to the lab, Verisana will send you a detailed report with your results. If you want to know more about your testosterone levels, there is no shortage of DIY testosterone testing kits available.
Medicines for prostate cancer and that raise prolactin levels may also have a negative effect. If at any time you have questions about providing your sample, contact the company directly to ensure you get the best results. After you receive your results in two to five days, you have the extra option of scheduling a free phone consultation with one of myLAB Box's contracted physicians. You can use this opportunity to ask further questions regarding your results.
One possible cause of too much testosterone in females is polycystic ovary syndrome . PCOS can make it difficult to get pregnant and interfere with menstruation. Females with too much testosterone may grow facial hair, develop a deeper voice, or experience decreased breast size.
They’ll probably want to check again using a more reliable method to be sure. Consider talking with a healthcare professional if you experience any of these symptoms and suspect that you may have low or decreased testosterone. Again, since research is limited for low testosterone levels for AFAB adults, the symptoms could vary from those listed above.
If you want to be absolutely certain, get a blood test, but also be aware that there are many saliva tests worth looking into as well. Other studies also suggest vitamins A, C and E can play a role in your sex hormone and testosterone levels, although more research is needed . Age and declining health can both cause testosterone levels to plummet.
If for any reason your provided sample may be invalid , the laboratory should notify you. You'll also receive extensive health information about testosterone and how it works in your body. The at-home test costs $59 and you will receive the results within three to four working days after receipt of the sample. This subreddit is for questions and discussion related to testosterone replacement therapy and testosterone. It also focuses on lifestyle activities like exercise and nutrition for raising testosterone levels naturally or anything else related to testosterone the substance. In infant males and females, signs of abnormal testosterone levels may be more extreme.
After purchasing a test, a company will send a person a home testing kit with instructions on collecting a sample, which may involve providing saliva or blood. They can monitor your hormone levels more accurately than blood tests. However, we don't recommend saliva tests if you're not on topical hormones. An at-home testosterone kit lets you check your testosterone levels from the privacy of your home. Men with high testosterone levels are uncommon, but not impossible.
After confirmation of the diagnosis, exclusion of any reversible causes, or contraindications to the use of testosterone, replacement therapy may be offered. Methods of replacement include injectable testosterone esters, transdermal testosterone , or oral testosterone in the form of testosterone undecanoate. If your healthcare provider thinks that you have low or high testosterone, he or she will first test total testosterone levels as above. The free testosterone test may help give more information when total testosterone is low. Wondering how to test for low and high testosterone levels from the convenience of home? The Everlywell at-home testosterone level test is an easy, convenient way to check in on your T levels.
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