ATTENTION New York State residents: NY Public Health Law Section 574 prohibits lab testing via mail for residents of New York at this time. We cannot process any testing services for clients in New York state. If you have any questions, please contact us.

The Male Hormone Panel (MHP) from DiagnosTechs uses noninvasive saliva testing to evaluate levels of various hormones involved in male reproductive and sexual function. These panels include tests for seven to nine different hormones in order to give a comprehensive picture of male hormonal balance. Information about your hormone levels can be valuable when evaluating for conditions related to infertility, sexual dysfunction, and andropause — an age-related decline in male hormone levels.

Why is it important to measure male hormones?

Optimal health is dependent on a balance of hormones, not just a single hormone. Measurements of hormones can be used in two general ways:

• To estimate the body’s own hormone production as a baseline test
• To monitor levels of hormones during treatment

Monitoring hormone therapy is necessary in order to reduce the chance of undesirable and potentially serious side effects and to optimize treatment. Your healthcare provider can use the information gathered from the Male Hormone Panel (MHP) to gain a better understanding of your current hormone levels and to create a treatment plan that is right for you.

Why saliva instead of blood?

For hormones to be active, they have to exist in their free state. In blood, most hormones are bound to proteins or red blood cells and are therefore inactive. It can be difficult to determine how much of a hormone measured in serum or blood is free and actually available to your cells. In saliva, however, hormones exist in their free state and are therefore bioavailable.

The following 7 hormones are evaluated in the Male Hormone Panel:

• Testosterone - This hormone is produced in the testes and is necessary for healthy male reproductive function. Testosterone helps to preserve lean body mass, bone density, cognitive function, red blood cell count, and libido.
• DHEA - A hormone produced in the adrenal glands as a precursor to testosterone and estrogen. Supplementation of DHEA is common in hormone replacement therapy.
• Androstenedione - Another important reproductive hormone precursor.
• Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) - Conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone frequently increases with age. Excess DHT is associated with enlargement of the prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BHP) and male pattern baldness.
• Estrogens (Estrone and Estradiol) - Frequently thought of as “female hormones”, estrogens play important roles in male health as well. High estrogens have been associated with breast enlargement, prostate cancer, fat redistribution, and obesity. Controlling estrogen levels can be helpful in treating systems of andropause.
• Progesterone - Progesterone is often perceived as a ‘female’ hormone, however it is also produced in men and is a precursor to testosterone and estrogens. Elevated progesterone may be due to unintentional exposure and can lead to elevations in other hormones

The Male Hormone Panel can uncover hormone imbalances and deficiencies that may contribute to: decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, sleep disorders, decreased muscle mass and strength, general fatigue/decreased energy, increased risk for coronary artery disease or heart attack, hair loss or thinning, increased fat accumulation, urinary problems, decreased bone density or osteoporosis, compromised immune function, irritability and depression.

Convenient, Simple, and Thorough:

• Collection is noninvasive and painless.
• Samples can be conveniently collected from your home, office or other location
• Seven to nine hormones are evaluated

▶︎ View DiagnosTechs MHP Informational Pamphlet (PDF)

How the Testing Process Works

1. When you order a Male Hormone Panel (MHP), we will mail you a testing kit.
2. The accuracy of a saliva test depends upon many factors. While our lab partner, DiagnosTechs Labs, is responsible for the technical aspects of the test, the results will only be as good as the raw material or sample that is received. For this reason, please carefully follow the instructions included in the kit when collecting your saliva samples.
3. After you send the kit directly to the lab with your sample (per the instructions provided), it takes approximately 7-10 days for Optimal Health Network to receive the test results from the lab.
4. We will email a PDF of the test results to you once we receive them from the lab. These will be emailed to the email address associated with your Optimal Health Network account.
5. When you receive your test results from us, please fill out our secure client intake form. After you submit the form, you will receive a link to schedule your complimentary 15-minute consultation with Kristina via her booking calendar.

▶︎ View General Collection Kit Instructions (PDF)

• IMPORTANT! If you are ordering this test for someone else (e.g., a family member) to take, please include the test-taking individual's full name in the ORDER COMMENTS box upon checkout to ensure we can match the lab results to your order and therefore be able to email the results to you.