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Health Check

Testosterone – Sex hormone in men and women

Testosterone is measured for fatigue, decreased sex drive, reduced muscle mass, mood swings, and when investigating hormonal balance. The test is interpreted along with SHBG, which determines how much of the hormone is available to the body.

What is Testosterone?

Testosterone is formed primarily in the testes in men and in the ovaries and adrenal glands in women. Most is bound to SHBG and albumin; that which is free or loosely bound is called bioactive testosterone and is the part that has an effect in the body.

Why is Testosterone measured in a health check?

The hormone affects muscle mass, bone strength, energy, mood, and sex drive. In women, high levels are instead relevant when questioning PCOS, increased body hair, or irregular periods.

High and low values

High value: High levels in women can indicate PCOS or another hormonal disorder. In men, high levels are seen primarily with external administration.

Low value: Low levels in men can cause fatigue, decreased sex drive, low mood, and reduced muscle mass, and should be assessed by healthcare providers together with LH and FSH.

Reference ranges differ between laboratories, sexes and ages and are stated in your result. The information here does not replace medical assessment.

How testosterone is measured in a health check

Testosterone is analysed from a venous blood sample and varies greatly over the course of the day, with the highest levels in the morning. The test should therefore be taken fasting in the morning, ideally between 7 and 10 a.m., to be interpretable. A value taken in the afternoon can look low without meaning anything — this is one of the most common causes of misleading results in health checks.

Lack of sleep, acute illness, heavy training load and a significant calorie deficit temporarily lower testosterone. With a low value, the recommendation is always to repeat the test at a new morning appointment before drawing any conclusions.

Symptoms that make the test relevant

Testosterone affects muscle mass, bone structure, blood formation, libido and mood. Symptoms of low levels are non-specific and overlap with thyroid disorders, iron deficiency, depression and lack of sleep — which is why the test is rarely interpreted on its own.

  • Reduced libido and erectile problems
  • Fatigue and poorer recovery after exercise
  • Reduced muscle mass and increased abdominal fat
  • Low mood, irritability and reduced motivation
  • Poorer sleep and sweating

Free and total testosterone

Most of the testosterone in the blood is bound to the protein SHBG and to albumin. It's the free fraction that's biologically active. With excess weight, insulin resistance or older age, SHBG can change so that total testosterone looks normal even though the free level is low — this is why SHBG is often analysed together with testosterone, with free testosterone then calculated.

With a confirmed low value, a doctor will supplement the investigation with LH and FSH to distinguish whether the cause lies in the testes or the pituitary gland, and often prolactin as well. Testosterone treatment should always be preceded by a medical assessment and followed up with tests, including haemoglobin and PSA.

What affects the level

Sleep is the single most important everyday factor: a few weeks of short sleep can measurably lower the level. Excess weight, high alcohol consumption, significant stress and overtraining act in the same direction, while strength training, weight loss and normalised sleep often raise the level. A follow-up morning measurement after three months of changed habits gives a reasonable picture of the effect.

Frequently asked questions about Testosterone

What time of day should testosterone be taken?

In the morning, preferably between 7 and 10 a.m., because the level is highest then and drops during the day. A sample taken later can show falsely low values.

What is bioactive testosterone?

Bioactive testosterone is the part of the hormone that is not tightly bound to SHBG and can therefore act in the body's tissues. It often gives a more accurate picture than total testosterone.

Is testosterone also measured in women?

Yes. In women, the test is used primarily for questions about PCOS, increased hair growth, acne, or irregular periods, often along with SHBG, LH, and FSH.

What time of day should testosterone be measured?

Fasting in the morning, ideally between 7 and 10 a.m., when the level is at its highest and most comparable between measurements.

Why is SHBG analysed together with testosterone?

SHBG binds testosterone and determines how large a share is active. Without SHBG, a normal total value can hide a low free level.

Can lifestyle raise testosterone levels?

Better sleep, weight loss, strength training and less alcohol often raise the level. The effect should be measured with a new morning test after about three months.

Health checks that include Testosterone

Testosterone is included in 9 of Labkollen's health checks. Analysis name in the result: S-SHBG, S-Testosteron, S-Testosteron (bioaktivt), S-Testosteron (total), SHBG, Testosteron, Testosteron (bioaktivt), Testosteron/SHBG.

  • Man +

    49 markers

    Labkollens mest omfattande kontroll för män – inklusive testosteron, PSA och hjärt-kärlmarkörer.

    2 195 krMed prenumeration (årlig hälsokontroll): 1 756 kr

    See the test

  • Lagsport

    16 markers

    För lagidrottare – energi, järn, återhämtning och stresshormon.

    1 599 krMed prenumeration (årlig hälsokontroll): 1 279 kr

    See the test

  • Styrkesport

    15 markers

    För styrketräning – hormoner, muskelmarkörer, lever och mineraler.

    1 599 krMed prenumeration (årlig hälsokontroll): 1 279 kr

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  • Kampsport

    15 markers

    För kampsportare – återhämtning, hormoner, inflammation och järn.

    1 599 krMed prenumeration (årlig hälsokontroll): 1 279 kr

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  • Gymnastik och konståkning

    14 markers

    För teknikidrotter – benhälsa, järnstatus, sköldkörtel och tillväxtmarkörer.

    1 599 krMed prenumeration (årlig hälsokontroll): 1 279 kr

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  • Hårkollen

    13 markers

    Markörer kopplade till håravfall: järn, zink, D-vitamin, B12 och hormoner.

    1 099 krMed prenumeration (årlig hälsokontroll): 879 kr

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  • Fertilitet

    8 markers

    Hormonmarkörer kopplade till fertilitet, inklusive AMH och sköldkörtel.

    1 599 krMed prenumeration (årlig hälsokontroll): 1 279 kr

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  • Hormon/balans

    8 markers

    Bred hormonprofil vid humörsvängningar, oregelbunden cykel eller låg energi.

    1 499 krMed prenumeration (årlig hälsokontroll): 1 199 kr

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  • Testosteron

    5 markers

    Riktat test av testosteronnivåer vid trötthet, låg lust eller minskad muskelmassa.

    599 krMed prenumeration (årlig hälsokontroll): 479 kr

    See the test

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Responsible for the content: Mathias Khemiri, Oftamed Sverige AB.

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