A targeted male-health profile looking at hormonal and metabolic factors that can contribute to erectile difficulties.
Blood testing is available to adults aged 18 and over.
How does it work?This profile investigates several physical factors that can contribute to erectile dysfunction. Although erectile problems can have psychological causes, it is important to consider underlying hormonal, metabolic, cardiovascular and prostate-related factors as well.
The profile includes testosterone-related hormones, prolactin and thyroid testing, together with diabetes markers, a cholesterol profile and PSA. These results can help identify areas that may warrant further clinical assessment rather than assuming symptoms are solely psychological.
The biomarkers included in this profile are grouped below so you can see exactly what is being assessed.
The liver performs many essential functions, including processing nutrients, regulating blood sugar, fighting infection and removing substances from the blood. These markers provide information about liver health and function.
Albumin is a protein made by the liver that helps keep fluid within the bloodstream and transports hormones, vitamins and medicines. Abnormal levels can be associated with liver disease, kidney disease, inflammation or poor nutritional status.
Cholesterol and triglyceride measurements help assess cardiovascular risk. Raised levels can contribute to narrowing or blockage of the arteries and can guide appropriate lifestyle, dietary or clinical follow-up.
HDL percentage shows how much of the total cholesterol is carried in HDL particles. A higher proportion is generally considered more favourable when assessing cardiovascular risk.
HDL is often called “good” cholesterol because it helps transport cholesterol away from tissues and back to the liver. Higher HDL levels are generally associated with lower cardiovascular risk, although the whole lipid profile matters.
LDL carries cholesterol to tissues and can contribute to plaque build-up in arteries when levels are high. It is a key marker used when assessing cardiovascular risk.
Non-HDL cholesterol represents all cholesterol carried in particles other than HDL. It provides a useful estimate of cholesterol contained in potentially atherogenic particles.
Total cholesterol measures the overall amount of cholesterol carried in the blood. It is interpreted alongside HDL, LDL, triglycerides and other risk factors rather than on its own.
This ratio compares total cholesterol with HDL cholesterol. It is one way of summarising the balance between overall cholesterol and the HDL fraction when assessing cardiovascular risk.
Triglycerides are fats carried in the blood and used for energy. High levels can be associated with increased cardiovascular and metabolic risk and may be influenced by diet, alcohol, weight and diabetes.
HbA1c reflects average blood-glucose exposure over the previous few months. It is widely used to identify diabetes and to monitor longer-term blood-sugar control.
HbA1c reflects average blood-glucose exposure over approximately the previous two to three months. It is widely used to diagnose type 2 diabetes and monitor longer-term glucose control.
Thyroid disorders are common and can contribute to tiredness, mood changes and weight problems. These markers help assess how well the thyroid gland is functioning.
TSH is produced by the pituitary gland and signals the thyroid to make thyroid hormones. It is one of the main markers used to assess whether the thyroid is underactive or overactive.
Hormones are chemical messengers produced by glands and released into the bloodstream. Measuring selected hormones can provide information about endocrine, reproductive and other physiological functions.
Calculated free testosterone estimates the fraction of testosterone not tightly bound to proteins and therefore more readily available to tissues. It is calculated using total testosterone together with binding proteins such as SHBG and albumin.
Prolactin is produced by the pituitary gland and is best known for its role in breast-milk production. Abnormally high levels can affect periods, fertility, libido and testosterone production.
SHBG is a protein made mainly by the liver that binds sex hormones, including testosterone and oestradiol. Its level affects how much hormone is available to tissues and is useful when interpreting total testosterone.
Testosterone is an androgen hormone involved in sexual function, fertility, muscle mass, bone health and energy. Levels vary with age, sex and time of day and are interpreted alongside symptoms and other hormone results.
PSA measurements provide information about the prostate gland. Results can be affected by several prostate conditions and should always be interpreted alongside age, symptoms and clinical context.
Total PSA measures prostate-specific antigen circulating in the blood. PSA can rise with prostate cancer but also with benign enlargement, inflammation and other non-cancerous causes, so it is not diagnostic on its own.
Whether you use a home test or have your sample taken with one of our trained clinicians, our blood tests are quick and easy to use.
At home, or in one of our testing locations.
Home kits include return postage. Professionally collected samples are sent to the laboratory for analysis.
We provide a secure link to your results and our doctor’s comprehensive report.
Laboratory results are provided with reference ranges which are based on the normal test results of a large group of healthy people from the same age group and gender as yourself.
Sometimes, healthy people get results outside the reference range, while people with health problems can have results in the normal range. If your results fall outside the reference range, or if you have symptoms despite a normal result, you may require more testing or wish to discuss the result with your GP. Alternatively you can book an appointment with one of our Private GP for £49 if you would like to discuss your results in more detail.
For simplicity, we provided your results graphically, so they are easy to understand. Any result flagged amber is outside of the standard range. Normal results are in green.
