What a comprehensive hormone panel should include for men and women
A comprehensive hormone panel tests the hormone itself, the protein that carries it, and the brain signals that control it, plus thyroid and metabolic markers. For men that means total and free testosterone, SHBG, sensitive estradiol, LH, FSH, prolactin and hematocrit, with PSA when indicated. For women it means estradiol, timed progesterone, FSH, LH, AMH, total testosterone, DHEA-S and prolactin, and for both sexes TSH, free T4, morning cortisol, A1c and lipids.
That definition matters because "comprehensive" has no legal meaning. One clinic's comprehensive panel is six markers; another's is ninety. Use the checklists below to hold any panel, including ours, to the same standard.
What a comprehensive hormone panel should test in men
The Endocrine Society's 2018 guideline on testosterone therapy is the reference most endocrinologists work from. It says low testosterone should be diagnosed only when you have symptoms and consistently low total testosterone on repeated morning blood tests. It also says free testosterone should be measured when total testosterone is borderline or when SHBG is likely to be abnormal, and that LH and FSH help show where the problem starts.
| Marker | Why it matters | When to test |
|---|---|---|
| Total testosterone | The starting number for any low T workup | Morning, ideally repeated on a second day |
| Free testosterone | The fraction your tissues can actually use | When total is borderline or SHBG is off |
| SHBG | The protein that binds testosterone; changes how much is free | With total testosterone |
| Estradiol (sensitive assay) | Men make small amounts; too much or too little causes symptoms | Baseline and on therapy |
| LH and FSH | Show whether the testes or the pituitary is the source | Before any treatment starts |
| Prolactin | A high level can point to a pituitary cause | When LH and FSH are low or normal with low T |
| Hematocrit | Testosterone can raise red blood cell levels | Before treatment and during monitoring |
| PSA | Prostate safety check | When screening is appropriate for your age and risk |
The guideline treats hematocrit and prostate risk as checks to complete before treatment, not afterthoughts. If a clinic offers testosterone without LH, FSH or hematocrit on the baseline panel, ask why.
Total and free testosterone can tell very different stories. Our guide on free testosterone vs total testosterone explains how two men with the same total number can feel completely different.
What a comprehensive hormone panel should test in women
Women's hormones move across the menstrual cycle, so timing is part of the test. According to MedlinePlus, estradiol is the main estrogen measured in women who are not pregnant, and its level changes through the cycle. A number only means something when you know which day it was drawn.
| Marker | Why it matters | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Estradiol | Main estrogen; reflects ovarian activity | Early in the cycle for a baseline, or as your clinician directs |
| Progesterone | Confirms ovulation and luteal phase support | About a week before your expected period |
| FSH | Signals ovarian reserve and menopause transition | Early in the cycle if you still menstruate |
| LH | Ovulation signal; ratio with FSH helps evaluate cycle problems | Early in the cycle |
| AMH | Estimates remaining egg supply | Any day |
| Total testosterone | Screens for androgen excess, as in PCOS | Morning |
| DHEA-S | Adrenal androgen; helps locate the source of excess androgens | Any day |
| Prolactin | High levels can disrupt cycles | Morning, at rest |
If you are in perimenopause, expect noise. Pause Medical's guide to hormone testing points out that hormone levels swing during this stage, so a single value rarely tells the whole story. Symptoms, cycle history and repeat testing together give a far clearer picture than one draw.
Markers both men and women should check
Hormones do not work in isolation. Thyroid, stress and metabolic markers often explain symptoms that look like a sex hormone problem.
| Marker | What it adds |
|---|---|
| TSH | First screen for an underactive or overactive thyroid |
| Free T4 | Shows the thyroid hormone actually circulating |
| Thyroid antibodies (TPO) | Added when autoimmune thyroid disease is suspected |
| Morning cortisol | Baseline adrenal and stress hormone output |
| Hemoglobin A1c | Average blood sugar over roughly three months |
| Lipid panel | Cholesterol and triglycerides, which hormones and therapy can shift |
Fatigue, weight gain and low libido can come from a sluggish thyroid or rising blood sugar just as easily as from low testosterone or estrogen. A panel that skips these markers can send you down the wrong treatment path.
What cheap hormone panels often leave out
Low price panels usually cut the markers that explain the result. Here is what tends to disappear first, and why it matters.
- SHBG. Without it, you cannot judge whether a normal total testosterone is actually usable. High SHBG can leave you with low free testosterone and real symptoms.
- LH and FSH. Without them, nobody can tell whether low testosterone comes from the testes or the pituitary. That distinction changes treatment, especially for men who want to protect fertility.
- Sensitive estradiol. Men's estradiol runs much lower than women's. Standard assays are built for the higher range, so a method designed to measure low concentrations, such as mass spectrometry, gives a more reliable number.
- Timing instructions. A progesterone level drawn on the wrong day can look low when nothing is wrong.
- Clinician review. A PDF of numbers with green and red flags is not an interpretation.
How to compare two clinics' panels in 5 minutes
When you search for the best telehealth hormone testing clinics, you will see names such as Everlywell, Function Health and Hone Health, alongside physician-led clinics like BioCure. They are built differently. Compare them on these five criteria: the exact marker list, the collection method, timing guidance, who interprets results, and how pricing works.
Five minute checklist
- Get the full marker list in writing. Check it against the tables above.
- Ask whether blood is drawn from a vein or by finger prick, and which assay is used for estradiol.
- Ask whether they tell you when to test (morning, cycle day).
- Ask who reviews results with you, and whether a physician can act on them.
- Ask what the price includes: consult, labs, follow up, medication.
| Model | Example | What you get | How pricing works | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| At home test kit | Everlywell | Sample collected at home, results online | Cash pay per kit; see their product page for current price | A quick first look at a few markers |
| Membership lab platform | Function Health | Broad recurring lab testing through a membership | Membership; check their site for current terms | Tracking many biomarkers over time |
| Hormone focused telehealth | Hone Health | Hormone testing linked to clinician consults and treatment | Subscription that pairs testing with care; check their site | People who expect to start hormone treatment |
| Physician-led longevity clinic | BioCure Health | Comprehensive panel, specialist review, protocol if needed | $199 consult credited back with membership; cash pay, HSA and FSA eligible | People who want testing, interpretation and treatment under one physician team |
| Your own doctor | Primary care or endocrinology | Targeted labs ordered for a specific concern | Usually billed to insurance when medically indicated | Diagnosis of a clear medical problem |
No single model wins for everyone. If you want insurance billing, start with your own doctor. If you want a broad, physician-interpreted panel with a treatment path, a clinic model fits better.
Where BioCure's panels fit
BioCure's Comprehensive Male Panel covers testosterone, thyroid, lipids, metabolic and organ markers. The Comprehensive Female Panel covers estrogen and progesterone, thyroid, lipids and metabolic markers. Ask us for the full marker list before you test, and compare it against the checklists above; we would rather you choose with the facts in front of you.
You can test with an at-home kit and an in-home phlebotomist visit, or at a lab. Results arrive in 7 to 14 days, and every result is interpreted with a specialist in a one to one review. If stress or adrenal output is the question, we offer an adrenal and stress panel for $329. See all options on our diagnostics page.
The physician video consultation is $199 and can be credited back with a membership. BioCure does not bill insurance directly, but many patients use HSA or FSA funds, and we provide invoices and documentation for reimbursement. We are licensed in 47 states, and whether your state is covered, California included, is confirmed at intake.
A decade ago, most people only checked hormones when something felt badly wrong. Now the smarter move is to know your baseline before symptoms make the decision for you. Any abnormal result, or symptoms that persist despite a normal panel, deserve a clinician's evaluation rather than a guess.
Frequently asked questions
What hormones should be tested in a full hormone panel for men?
A full male panel should include total and free testosterone, SHBG, estradiol by a sensitive assay, LH, FSH, prolactin and hematocrit, with PSA when screening is appropriate. Thyroid markers, morning cortisol, A1c and lipids round it out. This mirrors the workup described in the Endocrine Society's 2018 testosterone guideline.
What hormone tests should a woman get?
Women should check estradiol, progesterone timed to the cycle, FSH, LH, AMH, total testosterone, DHEA-S and prolactin. Add TSH, free T4, morning cortisol, A1c and lipids for the full picture. Timing matters because estradiol and progesterone change across the menstrual cycle.
When should progesterone be tested?
Progesterone is usually drawn about a week before your expected period, when it should be at its highest after ovulation. Testing on the wrong day can make a normal level look low. If your cycles are irregular, your clinician will choose the timing with you.
Is an at-home hormone test as accurate as a blood draw?
It depends on the method. Finger prick kits are convenient but may not cover every marker or assay, especially sensitive estradiol in men. A venous draw, whether at a lab or by an in-home phlebotomist, supports the widest range of tests.
Why does SHBG matter on a hormone panel?
SHBG binds testosterone and estrogen, which controls how much is free for your tissues to use. Two people with the same total testosterone can have very different free levels if their SHBG differs. Without SHBG, a normal total result can hide a real problem.
Does insurance cover a comprehensive hormone panel?
Insurance may cover hormone labs when your doctor orders them for a specific medical reason, but broad optimization panels are often cash pay. BioCure does not bill insurance directly. Many patients use HSA or FSA funds, and BioCure provides the documentation for reimbursement.
Longevity is not accidental, it is intentional, and that starts with a panel that measures what actually matters. Use the checklists here with any clinic, then choose the one that tests completely and explains your results clearly.
Let BioCure Health lead you in the right direction. Call or text us to schedule an introductory call at 754-206-0838. Your future self will thank you.