What a male hormone panel tests, and how low testosterone is actually diagnosed

Clinically reviewed by Pedro Alvarez, PA-C, Florida-licensed Physician Associate (PA9113765) · Last reviewed 2026-10-06

The short answer

A male hormone panel is one morning blood draw that measures total and free testosterone, estradiol, SHBG, LH, FSH, DHEA-S, prolactin, PSA and a blood count. It helps explain low energy, low sex drive and erectile concerns. At Goza, in Florida, it costs $159.85 including a licensed provider’s review. No insurance is needed.

What is in the panel

Test	What it looks at	Why it is useful
Total testosterone	Testosterone in the blood	The starting point for evaluating low testosterone
Free testosterone	The part that is active	Adds detail when total testosterone is borderline
SHBG	A protein that binds testosterone	When SHBG is low, more of your testosterone is free and available
LH	A pituitary hormone	Signals the testicles to make testosterone, so it helps locate the cause of a low level
FSH	A pituitary hormone	Helps control sperm production
Estradiol	An estrogen	Part of the overall hormone picture
DHEA-S	A hormone made mostly in the adrenal glands	Part of the overall hormone picture
Prolactin	A pituitary hormone	High levels can lower sex drive and cause erectile dysfunction
PSA	A protein made by the prostate	Used to screen for prostate cancer; also rises with an enlarged or inflamed prostate
Complete blood count	Red cells, white cells, platelets	A baseline blood count

How low testosterone is actually diagnosed

The Endocrine Society’s guideline is specific.

A diagnosis needs both symptoms and testosterone that is clearly and consistently low.
Testosterone should be measured on two separate mornings while fasting.
The Society recommends against routine screening of men in the general population.

So one low number is a starting point, not a diagnosis. Testosterone is highest in the morning and drops with poor sleep, illness and some medicines. If your first result is low, the next step is to repeat the same panel on another morning. If it is low again, we refer you to your primary care provider.

About the PSA test

PSA is included in this panel, and you should know what the national guidance says.

Ages 55 to 69: the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says PSA screening is an individual decision, made after discussing the possible benefits and harms with a clinician.
Age 70 and older: the Task Force recommends against PSA-based screening.
A high PSA does not mean cancer. It can be caused by an enlarged prostate, prostatitis, a urinary tract infection or certain medicines.

PSA is part of this panel for everyone who orders it. Read the guidance above before you order, and message us with any questions. Your provider explains your PSA result in light of your age and history.

What Goza can and cannot do with the results

We explain every result in writing and tell you what it means.
If your results and symptoms point to erectile dysfunction that we can treat by telehealth, we will tell you how.
Goza does not prescribe controlled substances, and testosterone is one. If your results suggest low testosterone, we explain them and refer you to your primary care provider for treatment.

How to prepare

Go in the morning, ideally between 7 and 10 AM.
Fast overnight. Water is fine. The Endocrine Society calls for a fasting morning sample for testosterone, and Quest prefers an overnight fast for prolactin.
Mind your biotin. Quest advises drawing at least 8 hours after a regular dose of biotin and at least 72 hours after a high dose.
Avoid testing while you are sick or after a night of very poor sleep.
Tell us what you take, including hair-loss medicine, opioids, steroids, and any testosterone or supplement sold for muscle or libido.

What happens after your draw

Results usually arrive in 1 to 3 business days.
A licensed Goza provider reviews them and sends you a written explanation of what is in range, what is not, and what to do next.
If a result needs follow-up, you choose what happens next. You can book a video visit with a Goza provider to go over it and discuss any treatment we can offer by telehealth. Or we refer you to your primary care provider, or to other in-person care when that fits better. Either way, we say plainly which one applies.

Lab results are information, not a diagnosis on their own, and this panel is not for emergencies. If you have chest pain, trouble breathing, or any urgent symptom, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

What it costs

$159.85 all-in on Fullscript, our lab partner. That covers the lab tests, the draw at Quest, and the provider’s review of your results.
Goza members: $110.85. The $49 clinician review fee is waived for members on every lab order.
At-home blood draw is available for an extra $85.
No insurance is needed, and nothing is billed to insurance.

About Goza

Goza is a Florida telehealth practice. Florida-licensed clinicians treat common conditions by message visit ($79) or video visit ($99), and review every lab panel ordered through Goza. We care for adults 18 and older who are physically in Florida, in English or Spanish. No insurance is needed. Goza does not prescribe controlled substances.

Frequently asked questions

Can Goza prescribe testosterone if I am low?

No. Goza does not prescribe controlled substances. We explain your results and refer you to your primary care provider.

Why do I need two tests?

Testosterone varies from day to day. The Endocrine Society recommends two separate morning fasting measurements before anyone is diagnosed. The repeat is the same panel, ordered again.

My PSA came back high. What now?

A high PSA has several causes besides cancer. Your provider will explain your result and recommend the next step, which is usually an in-person visit.

Is this panel useful if I feel fine?

Probably not. Expert guidance recommends against screening men who have no symptoms.

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Male Hormone Panel

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Sources

Quest Diagnostics. Test Directory, patient preparation and collection instructions for each test in this panel, read 2026-10-06. https://testdirectory.questdiagnostics.com/
Bhasin S, et al. Testosterone Therapy in Men With Hypogonadism: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2018;103(5):1715-1744. https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/103/5/1715/4939465
MedlinePlus. Testosterone Levels Test. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/testosterone-levels-test/
MedlinePlus. SHBG Blood Test. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/shbg-blood-test/
MedlinePlus. Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Levels Test. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/luteinizing-hormone-lh-levels-test/
MedlinePlus. Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Levels Test. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/follicle-stimulating-hormone-fsh-levels-test/
MedlinePlus. Prolactin Levels. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/prolactin-levels/
MedlinePlus. DHEA Sulfate Test. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/dhea-sulfate-test/
MedlinePlus. Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/prostate-specific-antigen-psa-test/
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Prostate Cancer: Screening. Grade C (ages 55 to 69), Grade D (70 and older); update in progress. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/prostate-cancer-screening
MedlinePlus. Complete Blood Count (CBC). https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/complete-blood-count-cbc/
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Biotin Interference with Troponin Lab Tests (links the FDA safety communication that biotin may interfere with lab tests). https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/in-vitro-diagnostics/biotin-interference-troponin-lab-tests-assays-subject-biotin-interference

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