Panel Name: Men’s Basic Optimization Panel
Purpose: Foundational hormone and metabolic health screening for men.
Ideal For: Fatigue, low libido, brain fog, muscle loss, weight gain, mood changes, or annual hormone check.
Price: $165
What it measures: The total amount of testosterone circulating in the bloodstream (bound + free).
Why it matters: Testosterone drives libido, energy, muscle mass, mood stability, and metabolic function. Low levels may contribute to fatigue, weight gain, erectile dysfunction, and decreased motivation.
What it measures: The active (unbound) testosterone available for the body to use.
Why it matters: Free testosterone is what actually interacts with receptors. A man can have “normal” total testosterone but still have symptoms if free testosterone is low.
What it measures: The primary form of estrogen in men.
Why it matters: Estradiol is essential for libido, brain function, heart health, and joint support. Too high may cause water retention, mood swings, or gynecomastia. Too low may cause joint pain, low libido, and mood issues. Balance is key.
What it measures: A protein produced by the prostate gland.
Why it matters: Used as a screening marker for prostate inflammation, enlargement, or possible cancer risk. Important baseline before or during testosterone therapy.
What it measures:
Liver enzymes
Kidney function
Electrolytes
Blood glucose
Protein levels
Why it matters: Evaluates overall organ function and metabolic health. Essential for ensuring hormone therapy is safe and well tolerated.
What it measures:
Red blood cells
Hemoglobin & hematocrit
White blood cells
Platelets
Why it matters:
Testosterone can increase red blood cell production. Monitoring prevents complications such as thickened blood (polycythemia). Also screens for infection, inflammation, and overall immune health.
Price: $26
What it measures:
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) — the brain signal that tells your thyroid how hard to work.
Why you may want this:
Many symptoms commonly attributed to “low testosterone” — such as fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, low mood, and slowed metabolism — can actually be related to thyroid function. The thyroid plays a central role in regulating energy production, metabolic rate, and hormone balance.
Thyroid function can be influenced by stress, calorie restriction, intense training, genetics, and family history of thyroid disorders. If you have struggled with unexplained weight changes, difficulty losing fat despite diet and exercise, or have a family history of thyroid conditions, checking TSH provides valuable insight.
Evaluating thyroid function ensures we are addressing the root cause of symptoms rather than assuming testosterone is the only factor.
This marker helps determine whether your metabolism is functioning properly.
Price: $122
What it measures:
Total cholesterol
LDL
HDL
Triglycerides
Why you may want this:
A lipid panel provides important insight into cardiovascular and metabolic health — two major drivers of longevity, performance, and overall vitality. Cholesterol imbalances often develop silently, without obvious symptoms, yet they significantly impact vascular function, hormone balance, and long-term cardiac risk. Monitoring lipids is especially valuable for men over 35, those on testosterone therapy, individuals with a family history of heart attack or stroke, stubborn abdominal weight, elevated blood pressure, or concerns about erectile quality.
Hormonal therapies and certain performance-enhancing compounds — particularly oral agents — can negatively impact cholesterol levels by lowering HDL (“good” cholesterol) and increasing LDL. If you have previously used oral steroids, injectable compounds, or completed cycles without regular monitoring, assessing your lipid profile is an important step in protecting long-term heart health.
Optimizing cholesterol levels supports circulation, hormone efficiency, and sustainable performance as you age.
This test evaluates cardiovascular risk and long-term damage prevention.
Price: $19
What it measures:
Brain signal responsible for sperm production.
Why you may want this:
FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) plays a critical role in sperm production and overall testicular function. Measuring FSH helps determine whether your body is producing sperm appropriately and whether the communication between the brain and testes is functioning properly.
Low FSH can indicate suppressed fertility, incomplete hormonal recovery, pituitary signaling issues, or reduced testicular function. Elevated FSH may suggest primary testicular dysfunction.
This test is especially valuable for men who are trying to conceive, transitioning off testosterone therapy, recovering from prior anabolic or black-market compound use, evaluating natural hormone production, experiencing low testosterone at a younger age, or simply wanting a deeper understanding of their reproductive health.
Price: $19
What it measures:
The signal from your brain that tells your testes to produce testosterone.
Why you may want this:
Exogenous testosterone (TRT or black-market use) shuts down LH production.
If LH is suppressed:
Your body is not producing testosterone naturally
You may not have recovered post-cycle
You may need structured recovery support
Critical for men:
Coming off a cycle without proper PCT
Wanting to transition off TRT
Trying to restart natural production
Price: $32
What it measures:
The protein that binds testosterone and determines how much is usable.
Why you may want this:
SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) regulates how much testosterone is actually available for your body to use. Even with normal total testosterone levels, abnormal SHBG can significantly affect how you feel.
SHBG levels can be influenced by factors such as aging, insulin resistance, thyroid function, liver health, caloric restriction, high training volume, stress, testosterone therapy, and prior use of anabolic or oral compounds.
Low SHBG may lead to fluctuating hormone levels and increased estrogen conversion.
High SHBG can result in low free (usable) testosterone despite “normal” total levels.
This test is particularly valuable for men who experience inconsistent energy or libido, feel symptomatic despite normal lab results, are optimizing TRT dosing, recovering natural production, or seeking more precise, individualized hormone management.
Price: $220
What it measures:
Adrenal precursor hormone that converts into testosterone and estrogen.
Why you may want this:
DHEA-S is a key adrenal hormone that serves as a precursor to both testosterone and estrogen. Levels naturally decline with age and can also be affected by chronic stress, poor sleep, overtraining, prolonged caloric restriction, illness, testosterone therapy, or prior use of anabolic compounds. Because DHEA plays a foundational role in the body’s hormone cascade, low levels may contribute to fatigue, reduced stress tolerance, decreased libido, slower recovery, mood changes, and diminished overall vitality.
Measuring DHEA-S provides insight into adrenal resilience, hormone production capacity, and your body’s ability to maintain balance under stress. This marker is especially valuable for men experiencing burnout, transitioning off hormone therapy, rebuilding natural production, prioritizing longevity, or seeking a deeper understanding of their hormonal foundation.