What a 90+ biomarker panel tells you before a hormone plan
A personalized hormone plan should be built on blood work that covers four areas: your sex hormones (total and free testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, SHBG, LH, FSH and DHEA-S), your thyroid (TSH, free T4, free T3), your metabolic health (glucose, A1c, insulin and lipids), and safety markers such as a complete blood count, PSA, and liver and kidney function. Together, these results show whether a hormone is truly low, why it is low, and whether treatment is safe for you. At BioCure Health, that work happens through Comprehensive Male and Female panels covering 90+ biomarkers, reviewed with a physician before any protocol is written.
A single testosterone number is not a plan. It is a starting point. Fatigue, low libido, weight gain and poor sleep can come from low testosterone, but they can also come from a sluggish thyroid, insulin resistance or anemia. A wide panel is how you separate those causes instead of guessing. The exact markers on your panel are matched to your sex, symptoms and history, and they are confirmed at your consultation.
Hormone markers: the core of your plan
The hormone section answers two questions: is something actually off, and where is the problem coming from?
The Endocrine Society's 2018 testosterone therapy guideline recommends diagnosing low testosterone only in men who have consistent symptoms and unequivocally low levels, confirmed by repeating the test on a fasting morning sample. Testosterone naturally swings through the day, so one afternoon reading can mislead you. The guideline also supports measuring free testosterone when total testosterone sits near the lower limit or when SHBG is likely to be abnormal, because SHBG controls how much testosterone your tissues can actually use.
| Marker | What it tells you | Why it changes the plan |
|---|---|---|
| Total testosterone | Overall testosterone in your blood | Confirms whether levels are truly low |
| Free testosterone | The active, unbound portion | Catches cases where total looks normal but usable testosterone is low |
| SHBG | The protein that binds sex hormones | Explains mismatches between total and free testosterone |
| LH and FSH | Signals from the pituitary gland | Shows whether the testes or ovaries, or the brain's signal, are the source |
| Estradiol | The main estrogen | Guides menopause care in women and balance in men on testosterone |
| Progesterone | Cycle and uterine health | Shapes treatment for perimenopause and menopause |
| DHEA-S | An adrenal androgen | Adds context on adrenal hormone output |
LH and FSH deserve special attention. If they are low alongside low testosterone, the issue may start in the pituitary rather than the testes. That distinction matters for men who want children, because the Endocrine Society guideline advises against testosterone therapy in men planning fertility in the near term. For those men, a protocol that encourages the body to make its own testosterone may fit better than full replacement. That is the idea behind BioCure's bioRestore tier, while bioTest is full testosterone replacement with ongoing hormone monitoring and bioOptimize is the foundational tier. You can compare them on our testosterone therapy page.
For women, the picture is different. Hormone levels fluctuate widely during perimenopause, so symptoms and menstrual history carry as much weight as any single lab value. The Endocrine Society's patient guide to menopause treatment frames hormone therapy as an individual decision that weighs your symptoms against your personal risks. Labs give your physician the baseline to make that decision with you.
Thyroid: the great imitator
Thyroid problems can look a lot like hormone decline. Tiredness, weight changes, brain fog, low mood and hair thinning all overlap. That is why a serious panel checks:
- TSH, the pituitary's signal to the thyroid and the most common screening marker.
- Free T4, the main hormone the thyroid produces.
- Free T3, the active form your cells use.
If your thyroid is underactive, starting testosterone or estrogen without addressing it means treating the wrong problem. Checking all three markers, not just TSH, gives a clearer view of how well your thyroid is actually working.
Metabolic markers: where hormones and weight meet
Hormones and metabolism move together. Excess body fat, insulin resistance and poor blood sugar control are closely linked with lower testosterone in men and with rougher menopause transitions in women. Your metabolic section usually includes:
- Fasting glucose, your blood sugar right now.
- Hemoglobin A1c, your average blood sugar over roughly three months.
- Fasting insulin, which can reveal insulin resistance before glucose rises.
- Lipid panel, covering LDL, HDL, triglycerides and total cholesterol.
These results sometimes change the order of your plan. If insulin resistance is driving symptoms, your physician may address metabolic health first, sometimes alongside BioCure's medical weight loss program, rather than leading with hormones. Lipids also give a baseline for heart health, which matters for any hormone decision.
Safety markers: what makes treatment safe to start
This is the section people skip when they buy hormones without a doctor, and it is the one that protects you.
| Safety test | What it checks | Why it matters before and during therapy |
|---|---|---|
| CBC with hematocrit | Red blood cell concentration | Testosterone can raise hematocrit, which thickens the blood |
| PSA | A prostate marker in men | Part of evaluating prostate risk before testosterone, per the Endocrine Society guideline |
| Liver function | Liver enzymes and proteins | Baseline for how your body processes medications |
| Kidney function | Creatinine and filtration | Baseline organ health and medication safety |
The Endocrine Society guideline recommends checking hematocrit before starting testosterone and monitoring it during treatment, and it lists an elevated hematocrit among the reasons to hold off. It also recommends evaluating prostate cancer risk, including PSA in appropriate men, through a shared discussion before therapy begins. These are not one time checks. If you are already on testosterone, our guide to understanding your bloodwork on TRT explains what to watch over time.
Optional specialty tests and their limits
Some patients want a deeper look. BioCure offers specialty tests with published prices, and each one has a clear use and a clear limit.
| Test | Price | What it can add | Evidence limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Micronutrient | $585 | Flags deficiencies that can affect energy and recovery | Most useful when symptoms or diet suggest a gap; not everyone needs it |
| TrueAge epigenetic | $625 | An estimate of biological age based on DNA methylation | Epigenetic clocks are still largely research tools; they are not used to diagnose disease or set hormone doses |
| Genetic testing | $530 | Information on inherited tendencies | Genes describe risk, not destiny; results need careful interpretation |
| Adrenal/stress | $329 | A look at cortisol and stress hormone patterns | Mainstream endocrinology does not recognize "adrenal fatigue" as a diagnosis; results add context, not a standalone answer |
Think of these as add ons for specific questions, not a substitute for the core panel. A good physician will tell you when a specialty test is unlikely to change your plan. Full details are on our diagnostics page.
How your results become a plan
Numbers do not treat anyone. Interpretation does. Here is how the process works at BioCure:
| Step | What happens | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Online intake | Your history, symptoms and goals | About 5 minutes |
| 2. Physician video consultation | A doctor reviews your situation and orders labs | $199, which can be credited back with a membership |
| 3. Diagnostics | A home test kit with a phlebotomist who comes to you, or testing at a lab | Results in 7 to 14 days |
| 4. 1:1 results review | Your physician walks through every result and builds your protocol | Scheduled once results are in |
| 5. Treatment and follow up | Medications from licensed compounding pharmacy partners ship to your door, with ongoing monitoring | Typically 5 to 10 business days after consultation and testing |
Every result is interpreted with a specialist, because context changes meaning. A free testosterone result that looks fine on paper can look different next to a high SHBG and a low thyroid reading. We cover why that conversation matters in why doctor interpretations turn lab results into real answers. Membership pricing depends on your protocol and is set at your consultation.
How to choose a safe hormone therapy provider
Whether you search for an endocrinologist in Tampa, a hormone clinic near Parkland or a telehealth option, use the same checklist:
- Labs come first. A provider who prescribes before testing is skipping the step the Endocrine Society treats as essential.
- A physician leads the care. Look for doctor oversight of diagnosis, dosing and monitoring.
- Monitoring is built in. Hematocrit, PSA where appropriate and hormone levels should be rechecked over time.
- Medication sourcing is clear. Ask whether your prescription is an FDA approved product or compounded by a licensed compounding pharmacy. Compounded medications are not FDA approved, so you should know which you are getting.
- They tell you when to see a specialist. Some conditions, such as pituitary disease or thyroid cancer, belong with an endocrinologist.
BioCure Health is a physician-led longevity clinic in the Fort Lauderdale area, licensed to treat patients in 47 states, with availability confirmed at intake. Florida patients from Parkland to Tampa can choose an in person visit at our South Florida clinic or a video appointment. BioCure fits best if you want a comprehensive panel, a physician who explains every result, and treatment delivered to your door. If you have a complex endocrine condition, an endocrinologist may be the better first stop, and that is a fair choice.
Frequently asked questions
What blood tests do I need before starting testosterone?
At minimum, you need total testosterone confirmed on repeat fasting morning tests, plus free testosterone or SHBG when results are borderline, according to the Endocrine Society guideline. LH and FSH help identify the cause, and safety tests such as hematocrit and, in appropriate men, PSA should be checked before treatment begins. A broader panel adds thyroid, metabolic, liver and kidney markers for a fuller picture.
Do I need an endocrinologist for hormone therapy?
Not always. Many people with straightforward low testosterone or menopause symptoms are well served by a physician-led clinic that tests first and monitors over time. If you have pituitary disease, thyroid cancer or another complex endocrine condition, an endocrinologist is the right specialist.
Can I get a personalized hormone optimization plan online in Florida?
Yes. BioCure Health is based in the Fort Lauderdale area and offers both in person and video appointments, so patients across Florida, including Parkland and Tampa, can start with an online intake. Testing can be done with a home kit and a visiting phlebotomist or at a lab.
Is a 90+ biomarker panel better than a basic hormone test?
A basic test tells you a hormone level. A wider panel helps explain why it is off and whether treatment is safe, by checking thyroid, metabolic and organ health alongside your hormones. More markers are only useful when a physician interprets them together.
How long does it take to get hormone test results at BioCure?
Results typically arrive in 7 to 14 days. After that, you review them 1:1 with your physician, and medications usually ship 5 to 10 business days after your consultation and testing.
Does insurance cover BioCure's hormone testing?
BioCure does not bill health insurance directly. Many patients use HSA or FSA funds, and BioCure provides invoices and documentation you can submit for reimbursement.
A hormone plan is only as good as the information behind it. Test thoroughly, interpret carefully, and monitor consistently, because longevity is not accidental, it is intentional.
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.