How to prepare for the ‘Total testosterone’ test: rules for taking it
How to correctly take the total testosterone test: draw timing, fasting, sleep, training, biotin, medications and repeat testing. A practical guide from the editorial team.
Training
Programs, exercise technique and load planning.
How to prepare for the ‘Free testosterone’ test: rules for taking it
Free testosterone: how to prepare for the test, how the calculated method differs from the direct one, why to measure SHBG and albumin, and how to avoid false results.
How to prepare for the ‘SHBG’ test: rules for taking it
SHBG: how to prepare for the test, which conditions and drugs alter the globulin level, whether fasting is needed and why it is taken together with testosterone.
How to prepare for the ‘Estradiol’ test: rules for taking it
The estradiol test: which day of the cycle women should take it, how men should prepare, why a sensitive method (LC-MS/MS) matters, biotin, drugs and common interpretation mistakes.
How to prepare for the ‘Prolactin’ test: rules for taking it
The prolactin test: how to prepare, why stress, sleep, sex and drugs raise the result, what macroprolactin is and when a repeat draw is needed.
How to prepare for the ‘LH’ test: rules for taking it
The luteinizing hormone (LH) test: pulsatile secretion, the day of the cycle for women, a morning draw for men, the influence of hormonal drugs and rules for interpretation together with testosterone.
How to prepare for the ‘FSH’ test: rules for taking it
The follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) test: which day of the cycle to take it, why estradiol in the same draw, what matters for men when assessing spermatogenesis and how to avoid false results.
How to prepare for the ‘Progesterone’ test: rules for taking it
The progesterone test: how to choose the day of the cycle to confirm ovulation, why the date of the next menstruation matters, the influence of drugs and pulsatile secretion, the test in men and during pregnancy.
How to prepare for the ‘DHT’ test: rules for taking it
The dihydrotestosterone (DHT) test: how to prepare, why the LC-MS/MS method matters, how finasteride, dutasteride and transdermal testosterone affect the result, and what to know about interpretation.
How to prepare for the ‘IGF-1’ test: rules for taking it
The IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1) test: how to prepare, why the age reference and SDS matter, how nutrition, the liver, the thyroid and estrogens alter the result.
How to prepare for the ‘Total testosterone’ test: rules for taking it
How to correctly take the total testosterone test: draw timing, fasting, sleep, training, biotin, medications and repeat testing. A practical guide from the editorial team.
How to prepare for the ‘Free testosterone’ test: rules for taking it
Free testosterone: how to prepare for the test, how the calculated method differs from the direct one, why to measure SHBG and albumin, and how to avoid false results.
Recommended resources
Part of our job is pointing people to solid external material, and a few names come up again and again. We also highlight Steroid Injections.