Testosterone Test
Testosterone blood test in Plymouth
A testosterone blood test in Plymouth measures total testosterone, SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin), free testosterone, and other markers to assess hormone levels and function. Low testosterone (low T) is increasingly common in men but often goes undiagnosed — men suffer symptoms of low energy, reduced muscle mass, low libido, and poor concentration without realising their testosterone has declined. Our private testosterone blood test requires no referral and is specially timed in the morning when testosterone levels are highest for accurate results.
Why this test matters
Testosterone is essential for men’s energy, muscle, bone strength, sexual function, mood, and cognitive performance. As men age, testosterone naturally declines about 1% per year after 30, but some men develop symptomatic deficiency much earlier. Low testosterone is often missed because clinicians rely on “normal range” values that don’t account for how low your personal baseline might have been. This test measures not just total testosterone but free testosterone (the biologically active form), which is what actually matters. For women, testosterone is important too — polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hair loss, acne, and irregular periods are often linked to androgen imbalance.
What this test measures
This comprehensive hormone panel measures multiple markers to give a complete picture of your testosterone status and how your body is transporting and utilising this important hormone.
| Marker | What it measures | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Total testosterone | All testosterone in your blood, both bound and free | The most commonly tested marker, but not the most informative — much testosterone is bound to SHBG and not available for use. Normal total testosterone is roughly 10–30 nmol/L in men (varies by age). Low total testosterone causes fatigue, reduced muscle, low mood, and poor sexual function. |
| Free testosterone | The testosterone that is not bound to proteins — the form actually available for cells to use | The biologically active form. You can have normal total testosterone but low free testosterone (if SHBG is very high). This is the “real” testosterone your body feels. Low free T causes symptomatic deficiency despite “normal” total T. |
| SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) | The protein that carries sex hormones in your blood | High SHBG reduces free testosterone availability — you may have plenty of total testosterone but it’s all bound up and unavailable. SHBG can increase with age, liver disease, or in PCOS. Understanding SHBG helps explain why some men with normal total T feel deficient. |
| LH (luteinizing hormone) and FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) | Pituitary hormones that signal the testes to produce testosterone | If testosterone is low, these help distinguish primary hypogonadism (problem in testes) from secondary hypogonadism (problem in pituitary/brain). This determines treatment options. |
Who should get this test?
Men experiencing symptoms of low testosterone should absolutely have this test. Women with PCOS, hair loss, acne, or irregular periods may also benefit — androgen imbalance is important to identify.
- Low libido or erectile dysfunction
- Persistent fatigue
- Reduced muscle mass
- Difficulty building muscle
- Weight gain (especially belly fat)
- Low mood or depression
- Poor concentration or brain fog
- Osteoporosis or weak bones
- PCOS in women
- Hair loss (male or female)
What your results mean
Understanding your results
Your testosterone levels will be compared to reference ranges that vary by age — a 25-year-old man should have higher testosterone than a 65-year-old. However, laboratory ranges don’t account for individual variation. Someone may have testosterone in the “normal” range but experience low-T symptoms because their personal baseline was higher, or because they’re sensitive to hormonal changes. Our clinician interprets your results not just as numbers but in context of your symptoms, age, and overall health.
If your testosterone is low and your symptoms match (fatigue, low libido, reduced muscle, low mood), testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) may be beneficial. This can be given as injections, gels, patches, or implants. We discuss benefits, risks, side effects, and monitoring requirements. TRT isn’t suitable for everyone — men with untreated sleep apnoea, active prostate cancer, or significant heart disease need careful evaluation first. For women with PCOS and elevated androgens, different treatment approaches apply.
What happens at your appointment
When you arrive at our Estover clinic in Plymouth in the early morning, our clinician will discuss your symptoms in detail — sexual function, energy levels, mood, motivation, muscle strength, and any changes you’ve noticed. We ask about risk factors like obesity, sleep apnoea, diabetes, and previous hormone levels if you have them. The blood draw is quick — usually from a vein in your arm — and takes less than five minutes. Timing is important; we ensure your test is done before 10am for accuracy.
Your results are typically ready within 24–72 hours. You’ll receive them either at a follow-up appointment where we discuss your testosterone levels, explain what they mean, and decide together on next steps, or online if you prefer. If testosterone is low and treatment is appropriate, we discuss options, address concerns, and arrange follow-up testing 6–8 weeks after starting treatment to check that levels are in target range. We monitor for any side effects and adjust treatment as needed.
Frequently asked questions
Why must the test be done in the morning?
Testosterone follows a daily cycle called a circadian rhythm. Levels peak in the morning (usually 6–8am) and gradually decline throughout the day, dropping to lowest levels in the evening. Testing in the afternoon or evening gives a falsely low result that doesn’t reflect your true testosterone status. Morning testing is the standard for accuracy.
Is low testosterone just a normal part of ageing?
Testosterone naturally declines about 1% per year in men after age 30, but not all men develop symptomatic deficiency. When testosterone falls too low to maintain health and function, that’s hypogonadism — a treatable condition, not inevitable ageing. If you’re experiencing symptoms and have low testosterone, treatment can restore quality of life.
Can I have low free testosterone with normal total testosterone?
Absolutely. If your SHBG is very high, most of your testosterone binds to it and becomes unavailable for use. You might have adequate total testosterone on paper but suffer symptoms because free testosterone is low. This is why measuring free testosterone, not just total testosterone, is important.
What are the risks of testosterone replacement therapy?
TRT is generally safe in properly selected men, but side effects can include acne, breast tenderness, mood changes, and in some men, increased haematocrit (thicker blood). There’s also a theoretical risk of worsening prostate disease or sleep apnoea, though the evidence is mixed. Your clinician screens for these risks before starting treatment and monitors you during it.
Can women have low testosterone?
Yes. Women naturally have much lower testosterone than men, but some women have even lower levels than typical, causing low libido, fatigue, and difficulty building muscle. Women with PCOS usually have elevated testosterone, causing hair growth, acne, and irregular periods. Testing helps identify androgen imbalance in women too.
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Book your testosterone blood test in Plymouth
No referral needed. Results within 24–72 hours. From £25 appointment fee.
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