TRT Panel

For men on TRT: the routine follow-up tests, all in one draw.

Common follow-up tests for men on testosterone therapy, in one draw: total and free testosterone, estradiol, SHBG, PSA, a complete blood count (including hemoglobin and hematocrit), a comprehensive metabolic panel, a lipid panel, hemoglobin A1c and ferritin. Estradiol is measured by a standard immunoassay, which is less precise at the lower levels typical in men; where offered, you can switch to the sensitive LC/MS method, which is designed for low levels. Ask your clinician whether PSA testing is right for you at your age. Your clinician decides which tests you need and how often.

Blood is drawn at a Quest Diagnostics patient service center. Prices depend on the laboratory and state. Enter your ZIP code to see the laboratories near you and your price.

Ordering opens soon.

What’s included

• Testosterone, total and free: Total testosterone measured by mass spectrometry, and free (unbound) testosterone measured by equilibrium dialysis.
• Estradiol (standard): Estradiol, a form of estrogen, measured by a standard immunoassay.
• SHBG: Sex hormone-binding globulin, the protein that carries testosterone and estradiol in the blood.
• Complete blood count (CBC): Red cells, white cells with a breakdown by type, and platelets, plus hemoglobin, hematocrit and red-cell size.
• Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP): Glucose, sodium, potassium, chloride, carbon dioxide, calcium, the kidney tests BUN, creatinine and eGFR, total protein, albumin, bilirubin and the liver enzymes ALP, ALT and AST.
• Lipid panel: Total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides, with calculated LDL cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol and the cholesterol-to-HDL ratio.
• PSA, total: Total prostate-specific antigen, a protein made by the prostate.
• Hemoglobin A1c: The percentage of hemoglobin with glucose attached, which reflects average blood sugar over about the past three months.
• Ferritin: Ferritin, the body's iron-storage protein.

Tests you can add

• FSH and LH: Follicle-stimulating hormone; luteinizing hormone
• Prolactin: Prolactin, a hormone made by the pituitary gland.
• TSH: Thyroid-stimulating hormone, the pituitary hormone that signals the thyroid.
• Vitamin D (25-hydroxy): 25-hydroxyvitamin D, the main form of vitamin D circulating in the blood.
• DHEA sulfate: DHEA sulfate, a hormone made mainly by the adrenal glands.

Before your draw

Fasting required.

Fast for 9 to 12 hours before your draw; water is fine. If you are on testosterone therapy, test when your clinician tells you to relative to your dose. If they have not said, or you are not on therapy, book a morning appointment, ideally before 10 a.m. Skip hard training, especially heavy lifting, for at least 48 hours before your draw. Avoid ejaculation and long or hard cycling for 48 hours before your draw, because both can raise PSA. Tell your clinician if you take finasteride or dutasteride, which lower PSA. Note if you take creatine. If you take insulin or other diabetes medicine, ask your clinician how to take it while you fast. Don't stop your usual medicines unless your clinician tells you to. If you take biotin (vitamin B7), including in hair, skin and nail supplements or multivitamins, have your blood drawn at least 8 hours after a usual dose, or at least 72 hours after a high dose. If biotin was prescribed, ask your clinician before stopping it.