Sex Hormones Panel

Evaluates key sex hormones to uncover imbalances impacting energy, libido, mood, and long-term health.

Sex Hormones Panel

Table of contents

Basic data

The sex hormones panel measures critical regulators such as testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, and related markers. These hormones play major roles in energy levels, mood, sexual health, muscle mass, fertility, bone density, and even cognitive function.

Testing is useful for identifying imbalances linked to aging, stress, overtraining, or metabolic dysfunction — and can help guide interventions like lifestyle changes, supplementation, or, in some cases, medical therapies.

Category: Lab blood panel

Level: Intermediate

Usefulness: High

Level

Intermediate

This test becomes valuable once foundational lifestyle elements like sleep, nutrition, and exercise are established. Hormonal imbalances may be secondary to lifestyle stressors, so addressing the basics first increases both the interpretability and usefulness of results.

Usefulness

High

A comprehensive look at sex hormones helps detect subtle or overt imbalances that could be limiting vitality, physical performance, or long-term resilience — especially in aging men and women.
Detects low testosterone or estrogen levels

Identifies age-related or stress-induced hormonal declines, which may contribute to low energy, low libido, or muscle loss.

Guides lifestyle or therapeutic interventions

Results can support targeted changes in training, stress management, supplementation, or even physician-guided HRT.

Assesses DHEA and SHBG context

Understanding the broader hormonal landscape (including transport/binding proteins like SHBG) improves accuracy of interpretation and intervention.

How it works

The test is typically performed using a blood draw, often in the morning when hormone levels are most stable or highest. Timing and context matter for accurate interpretation.
Blood sample collection

Usually performed in the morning after an overnight fast. Some panels require testing on specific days of the menstrual cycle (for women).

Lab analysis

Samples are processed using immunoassay or mass spectrometry depending on lab capabilities, with values reported in ng/dL or nmol/L.

Measures

The panel typically includes multiple markers to assess hormonal status and regulation.
Total and Free Testosterone

Assesses anabolic status, libido, and energy regulation in both men and women.

Estradiol (E2)

Key for menstrual health, bone density, cardiovascular function, and cognition — especially in women.

Progesterone

Helps balance estrogen and supports mood, sleep, and fertility in women.

DHEA-S

Precursor hormone involved in stress response, longevity, and metabolic health.

SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin)

Regulates the amount of bioavailable testosterone and estrogen — can be influenced by age, liver health, and insulin resistance.

Reliability

When collected and interpreted correctly, hormone panels are generally reliable — but context and timing are crucial.
Affected by timing and lifestyle

Hormone levels can vary by time of day, stress, diet, alcohol, or training load. Morning collection and context-aware interpretation are essential.

Lab method matters

Immunoassay is commonly used but less accurate at low concentrations; LC-MS/MS is gold standard but more expensive.

Limitations

While valuable, sex hormone tests do not always reveal the full root cause of symptoms.
Can reflect downstream effects

Hormonal shifts may be symptoms of other problems — e.g., sleep deprivation, under-eating, or overtraining.

Individual variability is high

"Normal" ranges differ across labs and individuals; interpretation should consider symptoms and broader context.

Frequency

Suggested cadence

Annually for healthy individuals, or every 6–12 months when adjusting lifestyle or under clinical monitoring (e.g., TRT, HRT, PCOS).

Cost

Typical costs

$50–150 depending on panel depth and lab provider. Some comprehensive hormone panels may exceed this range.

Availability

Where available

Widely available through blood testing labs, functional medicine clinics, and even some telehealth platforms.

Preparation

How to prepare

Test in the morning after an overnight fast. For women, timing in the menstrual cycle matters (e.g., day 3 or luteal phase).

Interpretation

Results should be interpreted in context — including age, sex, symptoms, lifestyle, and goals.
Evaluate ratios, not just absolutes

Testosterone-to-estrogen and free-to-total testosterone ratios can provide deeper insights than total values alone.

Compare against symptoms

Mildly "normal" levels may still correlate with fatigue or mood issues; optimal values are not always within the population average.

Alternatives

Saliva or urine hormone testing

Some protocols use 24h urine or saliva (e.g. DUTCH test) for expanded hormone profiling, though interpretation may be more complex.

DHEA-only or testosterone-only tests

Narrower blood panels are available but provide less context; full panel is preferred.

FAQ

Can I test hormones without symptoms?

Yes, especially if you're proactive about healthspan or have lifestyle factors (e.g. stress, poor sleep) that may disrupt hormones.

Is saliva testing better than blood?

Saliva may better reflect free hormone levels in some cases, but blood remains the clinical standard for most use cases.