1. What the test is and why I ordered it

These blood tests measure testosterone and related hormones. I order them for symptoms such as low sex drive, fewer morning erections, erection problems, or low energy, as part of a fertility evaluation, or to monitor testosterone therapy. Testosterone is highest in the morning, so the test should be drawn before 10 a.m., and a low result should be repeated.

2. What the numbers usually mean

• Total testosterone: the American Urological Association uses a level below 300 ng/dL on two separate early-morning tests, together with symptoms, to define low testosterone.
• Free testosterone and SHBG: help when the total is borderline or when SHBG (a carrier protein) is unusually high or low.
• LH and FSH: show whether a low level starts in the testicles or in the pituitary gland.
• Estradiol and prolactin: checked in some men.
• On therapy: hematocrit (red blood cell level) is monitored; a value above about 54% usually means adjusting or pausing treatment. PSA is monitored too.

3. What usually happens next

A low result is repeated to confirm it. We look at sleep, weight, medications, and other causes before starting treatment. If you want to have children, testosterone therapy can shut down sperm production, and other options are usually a better fit.

4. When to call right away

If you are on testosterone, go to the emergency room for chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling in one leg, or sudden weakness or trouble speaking.

5. Where to see your result and ask about it

Your actual result, and any note from your care team, is in your patient portal, the same one you use to book visits and send messages. Send questions about your result through the portal, or call the office at (516) 535-1900. If something feels urgent, call the office or go to the nearest emergency room. This page explains what results usually mean; it can't interpret yours.