Thorne Research Testosterone Test
Thorne Research Testosterone Test
Thorne Research Testosterone Test: At-home collection kit. Meaningful insights. Personalized plan.
Testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin impact many areas of health in men and women. This at-home blood test measures levels of both. Results include a personalized health plan.
Test taker must be 18+ and reside in the U.S.
Biomarkers Measured: Testosterone, SHGB
You should take this test if you
Notice unfavorable changes in body composition
Have loss of libido
Are a male experiencing erectile dysfunction
Are a female taking hormone replacement or using hormones for birth control
Are experiencing chronic fatigue or mood swings
Are a man or woman over 40
Are a woman of childbearing age with fertility issues
Are experiencing abnormal hair growth or loss
Biomarkers Measured
Testosterone
Testosterone is the predominant androgen or “male hormone” – although it is important to the health of both men and women. Testosterone impacts a wide range of health concerns, including muscle and bone mass, libido, hair growth, energy, mood, and sleep.
Normal range varies based on age and gender
SHBG
Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is a protein produced in the liver that binds to testosterone (and estrogen to a lesser extent). The extent of this binding by SHBG will change the amount of “free” or bioavailable testosterone, and thus can result in a deficiency or an excess of free testosterone. A low SHBG level is also associated with other health risks, independent of its impact on testosterone.
Normal range varies by gender
Testosterone 101
Testosterone
Testosterone is the predominant "male" hormone or androgen made in the human body, although both men and women need and utilize testosterone.
In men, testosterone is made in the testes. It plays a major role in regulating sperm production and is active throughout the body, impacting many areas of health including bone and muscle health/mass, libido, fat distribution, heart health, blood sugar metabolism, and hair growth/distribution. Testosterone declines with age in both men and women, but its level can also go up or down for other reasons.
After age 40, men lose about 1.5 percent of their testosterone production each year, and by age 45 about 40 percent of men will have a diagnosable low testosterone level (too low for their age and producing symptoms). Other causes of low testosterone levels in men include diseases of the liver or kidney, injury or infection of the testicles, diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity, genetic disorders (such as Klinefelter syndrome or hereditary hemochromatosis), pituitary tumors, and some prescription medications.
Women also need testosterone in small quantities to maintain good reproductive health. In women, testosterone is made in the ovaries and the adrenal glands, so a low level of testosterone can indicate a problem with the function of either organ, or it can be indicative of a normal decline from aging. Testosterone has many protective functions in females, including mitigating bone and muscle mass loss, supporting weight management, helping to maintain mental health, and supporting a healthy libido.
On the other hand, a woman's testosterone level can be too high, particularly in women of childbearing age. An elevated testosterone level, often coupled with a low sex-hormone binding globulin level, is often associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and infertility.
Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG)
Having a normal SHBG level is an important part of having a normal testosterone level in both men and women. SHBG is a protein that attaches to circulating testosterone and carries it around the body. Every individual always has some portion of their testosterone that is bound to SHBG, as well as a portion of their testosterone that is unbound or "free." SHBG can also bind to estrogen, although it does not bind as tightly as it does to testosterone.
An elevated SHBG level will result in more of it attaching to testosterone, thus lowering the amount of free testosterone, whereas a low SHBG level can present as having relatively higher "free" testosterone.
Because SHBG is produced in the liver, its level can be decreased as a result of heavy alcohol consumption, obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, aging, and the use of some prescription medications (especially hormones such as testosterone or estrogen).
Potential Symptoms
In men, if your testosterone level and/or SHBG level are abnormal for your age, then you can experience one or more of the following symptoms:
Heightened or reduced libido
Erectile dysfunction
Infertility or low sperm count
Muscle loss and/or weakness
Fatigue
Depressed mood or increased aggression
Weight gain
Changes in body and facial hair, or male pattern baldness
Acne
Development of breast tissue
Metabolic syndrome
In women, if your testosterone level and/or your SHBG level are abnormal for your age and menstrual status, then you can experience one or more of the following symptoms:
Decreased libido
Muscle weakness or fatigue
Depressed mood
Weight gain
Acne
Facial hair growth or thinning head hair
Difficulty getting pregnant
High cholesterol
Metabolic syndrome
PCOS
Abnormal menstrual cycles Test
How it works
Purchase test (Skip the waiting room and lab visit. Get a test delivered to your doorstep.)
Collect and Send (Collect bio samples at home, then drop free return envelope in any mailbox.)
View and Plan (Review your results and recommendations on a desktop or mobile device within 3-5 days.)