As men age, their hormone levels naturally decline. This decrease of hormone activity can lead to fatigue, depression, lack of libido and mood swings which can significantly disrupt activities of daily living. This panel will help to determine if hormone replacement therapy is necessary for you.
Tests
| Name | Description |
| DHT | DHT is a more potent form of testosterone and is responsible for the formation of male sex-specific characteristics. DHT is an important contributor to other characteristics generally attributed to males, including facial and body hair growth, and deepening of the voice. DHT also plays a crucial role in both sex drive and the growth of muscle tissue. High levels of testosterone convert into DHT which travel to the scalp producing hair loss. |
| Free and Total Testosterone | Testosterone is a steroid hormone from the androgen group. Testosterone is primarily secreted in the testes of males and ovaries of females, although small amounts are also secreted by the adrenal glands. In both men and women, testosterone plays a key role in health and well-being as well as in sexual functioning. Examples include enhanced libido, increased energy, and protection against osteoporosis. On average, the adult male body produces about forty to sixty times more testosterone than the adult female body, but females are more sensitive to the hormone. |
| IGF-1 Insulin-like Growth Factor | IGF-1 is measured to help diagnose the cause of growth abnormalities, deficiencies and overproduction of growth hormone and to evaluate pituitary function. A decrease in growth hormone may also be related to adults that have high cholesterol levels.Decreased levels of IGF-1 also may be seen in nutritional deficiencies (including anorexia nervosa) and chronic kidney or liver disease. |
| Total Estrogen | Men need to measure their estrogen levels, as well as many other vital hormones, such as testosterone. Since estrogen is one of the primary sexual hormones of women, men may overlook the importance of estrogen in their own bodies. Imbalance of estrogen levels in men can lead to disease, aging and degeneration.. |