Home Testosterone Test Kits

I’d like to get my testosterone tested, but it’d be nice not to have to pay $100s in med bills if I don’t have to. Anyone tried any of the home kits you see advertised around the net, and can vouch for their

Accuracy or lack thereof?

The better home test kits sell for US $75+ and don’t test all the elements you’ll want to know about.

A full hormone panel done though your doctor is the better way to go. Call him or his nurse and one will give you an estimate of the cost - not that expensive, esp. with insurance. If you decide to do this, get the blood drawn in the morning.

How come you feel you need your T-levels tested?

Got insurance? Blood test is probably like 15-$20.

That’s pretty cheap, compared with buy an at-home.

Well, I’ve got insurance, but it’s catastrophic is the problem. $1500 deductible. So last time I got my cholesterol tested it was more like $200.

I was thinking I might have low levels because I’ve been battling a somewhat low libido and occasional ED for the past couple of years. I know that stuff could be caused by a host of reasons, but it’d just be nice to cross low testosterone off the list if possible.

If you’re just trying to ball-park it, the home test kits may suffice. But, why waste the money on a ball-park answer? Get an accurate answer from a place like LabCorp, Quest (need to be referred by a doctor), Health Check USA or Private MD Labs. Google and get a web site.

Nice, there’re some labcorps in my area. So can I just go with a straight-up “total testosterone” test, or should I be getting other things tested as well?

There is a lot more to identifying how to correct a testosterone deficiency than just total testosterone. To start, you’ll need to identify whether the deficiency is caused by testicular malfunction or by low pituitary output. High estrogen levels may also be the cause. A further potential complication is that although it is helpful to know your total testosterone level, the bioavailable testosterone amount is the one that determines whether you feel symptoms or not. So, bottom line, the total testosterone test may tell you whether you are functioning in a general sense, but is far insufficient to tell the story of how to correct any symptoms you may be experiencing.

So, help me to help you. What makes you think you need to know your testosterone level? What are your symptoms and what is your general level of health?