The Comprehensive Male Hormone Panel takes an in-depth look at male patients’ hormone profile to evaluate hormone levels associated with overall health and aging. The Comprehensive Male Hormone Panel measures hormone levels as well as certain indicators that may reveal the cause of a hormone imbalance. For example, vitamin B12 deficiency may contribute to hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). What Does This Panel Include? The Comprehensive Male Hormone Panel includes all of the tests from the Standard Male Hormone Panel, plus the following: Vitamin B12 Test: Also called cobalamin, measures levels of vitamin B12 in the blood to detect a deficiency. Folic Acid (Folate or vitamin B9) Test: Measures levels of folic acid in the blood to detect a deficiency. Homocysteine Test: Measures homocysteine levels in the blood to detect signs of an early vitamin B deficiency or early signs of cardiovascular disease. High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Test: Measures the amount of CRP protein in the blood to identify inflammation in the body that may indicate coronary artery disease. Hemoglobin A1c Test: Also called the HbA1C or glycohemoglobin test. Measures the average amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood in the past eight to 12 weeks to check for signs of prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) Test: Also called the serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) test. Measures the amount of ALT in the bloodstream to check for signs of early liver disease. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) Sulfate Test: Measures the amount of DHEA sulfate in the blood to evaluate the health of the adrenal glands. What Is the Difference Between the Standard and the Comprehensive Male Hormone Panel? The Comprehensive Male Hormone Panel includes testing for vitamin, mineral, and protein indicators that, when either too high or too low, may contribute to hormone imbalance. Hormone imbalance can affect several bodily systems, like the cardiovascular system, and can significantly affect one’s health. The Standard Male Hormone Panel measures the levels of various hormones but does not include vitamin, mineral, and protein testing. Why Is It Important for Men to Check Their Hormones? A hormone imbalance, when there is either too much or too little of a certain hormone in the body, can lead to very serious health complications like cardiovascular disease and disorders of the prostate. Men over the age of 40 are more likely to have a hormone imbalance because certain hormone levels, like testosterone, start to drop after this age. HGH production can start to decrease as early as right after puberty and by as much as 14 percent every 10 years. Who Should Take the Comprehensive Male Hormone Panel? Any man with symptoms of a hormone imbalance should consider the Comprehensive Male Hormone Panel. Men over the age of 40 are more likely to be low in certain hormones due to the aging process. They may want to start tracking hormone levels to monitor for early signs of hormone imbalance that can lead to health complications, like cardiovascular disease. Men aged 65 and older are at a greater risk of having health risks due to hormone imbalance. For example, a significant decrease in testosterone can cause loss of bone density and increased risk of fractures. Men under the age of 40 who have signs of a hormone imbalance may be instructed by their doctor to get a Comprehensive Male Hormone Panel to identify the root cause of certain health conditions. How to Prepare for This Test A blood sample is required to complete the Comprehensive Male Hormone Panel. Fasting is necessary for this test. Do not eat or drink for 9 to 12 hours before this test—water is allowed. The Comprehensive Male Hormone Panel includes hormone and vitamin deficiency tests that may be affected by high doses of biotin (vitamin B7). If you are currently taking biotin supplements or supplements containing biotin, stop taking them for at least 48 hours before testing. Biotin can cause inaccurate results in certain tests. To order the Comprehensive Male Hormone Panel, purchase the test on our website and take your lab requisition form to a certified laboratory. You can find a location that’s most convenient for you using our lab locator. Visit the lab during their business hours to have your blood sample collected—no appointment is needed. Sources: Jabbar A, Yawar A, Waseem S, Islam N, Ul Haque N, Zuberi L, Khan A, and Akhter J. Vitamin B12 Deficiency Common in Primary Hypothyroidism. Journal of Pakistan Medical Association. 2008;58(5):258-61. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18655403Heart Disease and Homocysteine. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/homocysteine-riskSattler FR. Growth Hormone in the Aging Male. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2013 Aug; 27(4):541–555. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3940699/Does a man's estrogen level impact his risk of prostate cancer? Science Daily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100419150813.htmHormone Treatment Studied in Older Men. National Institutes of Health. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/hormone-treatment-studied-older-menLow Testosterone, More Men’s Fractures. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/men/news/20080115/low-testosterone-more-mens-fractures“The FDA Warns that Biotin May Interfere with Lab Tests: FDA Safety Communication.” US Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safety-communications/fda-warns-biotin-may-interfere-lab-tests-fda-safety-communicationBiotin and Labs. TRC Healthcare. https://www.ospdocs.com/resources/uploads/files/Biotin%20and%20Labs.pdf