Male Hormone and Fertility Blood Test
A private male hormone and fertility blood test measuring the six hormones behind sperm production, libido, energy and muscle: testosterone, free androgen index, SHBG, FSH, LH and prolactin. For difficulty conceiving, low libido, erectile problems, tiredness or loss of drive, or a check before trying for a baby. From £79 with a finger-prick kit at home, £109 in clinic or £129 with a nurse. Results in 3 to 5 days.... Read more
A private male hormone and fertility blood test measuring the six hormones behind sperm production, libido, energy and muscle: testosterone, free androgen index, SHBG, FSH, LH and prolactin. For difficulty conceiving, low libido, erectile problems, tiredness or loss of drive, or a check before trying for a baby. From £79 with a finger-prick kit at home, £109 in clinic or £129 with a nurse. Results in 3 to 5 days.
Key facts
- Price: from £79 with a finger-prick kit at home; £109 at a Goodbody clinic; £129 with a nurse home visit
- Measures: testosterone, free androgen index, SHBG, FSH, LH and prolactin; every marker is reported from the finger-prick sample
- Timing: take the sample in the morning, before 10am, when testosterone is highest; no fasting needed
- Results: emailed within 3 to 5 working days with a GP report
- Pair with: our Male Fertility Home Sperm Test, since hormones and semen analysis answer different halves of the question
- For: men aged 18 and over
Your questions answered
How do you test male fertility?
Two tests, and they answer different questions. A semen analysis measures the sperm themselves: count, movement and shape. A hormone blood test measures the system that produces them: FSH and LH from the pituitary, which drive the testes, and testosterone, the testes' response, plus prolactin and SHBG, which can interfere. Around half of couples who struggle to conceive have a male factor, and most of it shows in the semen analysis; the hormone test explains why the sperm result is what it is, and picks up treatable causes. Our Male Fertility Home Sperm Test provides the semen analysis; this test provides the hormones.
Can a full blood count determine fertility in men?
No. A full blood count measures red cells, white cells and platelets and says nothing about sperm or reproductive hormones. Male fertility is assessed with a semen analysis, and the hormonal side with testosterone, FSH, LH, SHBG and prolactin, which is what this test measures. A full blood count can pick up general health problems that affect energy and wellbeing, but it is not a fertility test.
What do FSH and LH tell me about my fertility?
FSH stimulates the testes to make sperm and LH stimulates them to make testosterone. Both high FSH and LH with a low testosterone or a poor sperm count means the testes themselves are struggling, which is the most common finding in male infertility and can follow infection, injury, undescended testes or a genetic cause. Low FSH and LH with a low testosterone means the signal from the brain is weak, which is rarer, often treatable, and can be caused by raised prolactin, medication, anabolic steroid use or a pituitary problem. Normal FSH and LH with a poor sperm result points to a blockage or a local cause. Your GP report explains which pattern you have.
Does low testosterone cause infertility?
Low testosterone reduces libido, erections and energy, and is a sign that the testes are underperforming, but it is the FSH, LH and sperm count that determine fertility. Importantly, testosterone replacement switches off FSH and LH and stops sperm production, so a man trying to conceive should never start testosterone without a fertility assessment. If your testosterone is low, the GP report explains the likely cause and the right next step, which for men wanting children is a specialist referral rather than testosterone treatment.
What is the free androgen index, and why measure SHBG?
Most testosterone is bound to SHBG, a carrier protein, and cannot act. The free androgen index estimates the active fraction from total testosterone and SHBG. A man with a normal total but high SHBG, which rises with age, low weight and some medications, can have the symptoms of low testosterone; a man with low SHBG can have a low total but normal free hormone. Measuring both avoids misreading a borderline total testosterone.
Why is prolactin included in a male fertility test?
Raised prolactin suppresses FSH, LH and testosterone, causing low libido, erectile problems and reduced sperm production, and is one of the few causes of male infertility that is directly treatable with tablets. It can be raised by stress, some medications, an underactive thyroid or a benign pituitary growth. Checking it once, alongside the other hormones, rules this cause in or out.
When should I take the sample, and do I need to fast?
In the morning, before 10am, because testosterone is highest after waking and reference ranges are based on morning samples; an afternoon sample can read low in a healthy man. Rest from hard training for 24 hours, as heavy exercise temporarily changes testosterone and prolactin. No fasting is needed. If your result is low or borderline, it is usually repeated on another morning before any conclusion is drawn.
How does the home finger-prick kit work?
The kit is posted to you with lancets, a collection tube, plasters, instructions and a prepaid return envelope. First thing in the morning, wash your hands in warm water, prick the side of a fingertip and fill the tube to the line, then post it back the same day. All six markers are reported from that sample. If you would rather not do it yourself, book a clinic or a nurse home visit.
How much is a fertility test for men?
This hormone test is from £79 with the home kit, £109 at one of 250+ Goodbody clinics or £129 with a nurse home visit, including laboratory analysis and a GP report. Our Male Fertility Home Sperm Test, the semen analysis, is £240 including a consultation with a fertility nurse. Together they cover the full male fertility assessment for less than most clinic consultations.
Can I get a male fertility test on the NHS?
Yes, once you and your partner have been trying for a year (six months if she is over 36): your GP will arrange a semen analysis and, if it is abnormal, FSH, LH and testosterone. Before that point, or if you want the hormones checked alongside the semen analysis from the start, private testing gives you both within days, and the GP report can be taken to your own GP for referral if needed.
How long do the results take?
Results are emailed within 3 to 5 working days of your sample reaching the laboratory, with a GP report that explains what the pattern of hormones shows and what to do next, including whether a semen analysis or specialist referral is the right step.
Is this test also useful for low libido, tiredness or gym performance?
Yes. The same six hormones explain low libido, erectile problems, tiredness, low mood and poor recovery in men, and the report interprets them for those concerns as well as fertility. Our Testosterone Blood Test covers testosterone, free testosterone and SHBG alone, and our Sports and Fitness test adds oestradiol, DHEA-sulphate and progesterone for training.
What happens next
Your results and GP report are emailed to you within 3 to 5 working days of your sample reaching the laboratory. The report explains each marker in plain language, flags anything outside the reference range and says what to do next, including when to take the result to your own GP. All samples are analysed by a UKAS-accredited laboratory.
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What biomarkers do we test?
How our tests work
Book online...
Book online, receive your kit and take to your local Goodbody clinic.
Send it back…
Send your sample in the post to be analysed at an accredited laboratory.
Get results.
Get your comprehensive detailed results report from the laboratory, with guidance from our support team.
Available testing locations for Male Hormone and Fertility Blood Test
Aberdeen Clinic GCI Advanced Aesthetics
Abergavenny Clinic Amatsu Centre
Airdrie Clinic Amiry & Gilbride Pharmacy
Aldershot Clinic Wellington Pharmacy
Alton Clinic Four Marks Pharmacy
Andover Clinic Dr Malaika Clinics
Anniesland Clinic Amiry & Gilbride Pharmacy
Arlesey Clinic Waterloo Farm Wellness
Armadale Clinic Dears Pharmacy
Ascot Clinic Ascot Pharmacy
AshbyDeLaZouch Clinic Aeternum Aesthetics
Ashford Clinic Breakspear Pharmacy
Aveley Clinic Doctor B Aesthetics
Aylesbury Clinic Aura Body Clinic
Aylesbury Clinic Pearlfect Care Pharmacy
Aylsham Clinic North Norfolk Ear & Skin Care
Ballingry Clinic
Barnet Clinic Co Wellbeing
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More Information
How our blood tests work
Have your blood taken in-clinic by one of our skilled phlebotomists and check multiple biomarkers in one go. Many of our tests can also be done in the comfort of your own home with one of our easy-to-use test kits.
Testing
Take a test, either in the comfort of your own home, with a nurse visit, or at one of our clinics nationwide.
Analysis
Your sample is analysed in the clinic, laboratory or using your home test equipment.
Results
Get your comprehensive detailed results report from the laboratory.
Not sure if this test
is right for you?
Enquire via the form and a member of our team will get back to you, they are more than happy to help answer your questions and talk through the best option for you.
Contact us if you aren't sure, we'd be happy to help!
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Experts you can trust
Meet our Goodbody Experts
Our team of professionals has decades of experience so you can be sure you’re getting the best tests and support to understand and improve your health.
Get in touch with Our Team
Dr Lebeth Jacob
BSc (Hons) MBChB
Registered GP & Lead Medical Advisor
Dr Alexandre Akoulitchev
MA, PhD, FRSM
Clinical Support Advisor
Dr Cheng Boon
MBCHB, MRCP, FRCR
Consultant Oncologist
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That’s why we’ve partnered with Splitit, Dopple and Clearpay so you can pay for your tests in interest-free instalments, if you prefer.
