Ulta Lab Tests

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) For Men

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for men—most often testosterone therapy—is used to treat clinically confirmedtestosterone deficiency. Because symptoms (fatigue, low libido, depressed mood, reduced muscle) can overlap with other conditions, lab testing is essential both before starting therapy and for ongoing safety checks.

A proactive plan begins with two separate morning total testosterone measurements, plus free testosterone context (via SHBG/albumin or equilibrium dialysis), LH/FSH to classify primary vs. secondary hypogonadism, and prolactin when indicated. Safety baselines include CBC (hematocrit/hemoglobin), PSA with clinician review based on age/risk, A1c/glucose, lipids, and liver enzymes. After therapy starts, regular labs help optimize dosing, check erythrocytosis, and track cardiometabolic health. Labs guide screening, diagnosis, and monitoring but do not replace a clinician’s exam or individualized care—especially if symptoms are severe.

Signs, Symptoms & Related Situations

  • Typical low-T symptoms: low libido/erections, fatigue, depressed mood or irritability, decreased muscle mass/strength, increased fat mass, reduced shaving frequency, hot flashes in severe deficiency.

  • Exam or history clues: small or soft testes, delayed puberty history, prior testicular injury/surgery, pituitary disease, chronic opioid or glucocorticoid use, infertility.

  • Safety-related: sleep apnea, high hematocrit, prostate disease history, uncontrolled heart failure (require clinician oversight).

  • When to seek urgent care: chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, one-sided weakness, severe headache, or vision loss.

Symptoms and risks always require clinician evaluation.

Why These Tests Matter

What testing can do

  • Confirm deficiency with repeat morning testosterone and classify cause with LH/FSH (testicular vs pituitary/hypothalamic).

  • Set baselines and monitor safety: hematocrit/hemoglobin, PSA, liver enzymes, lipids, and glucose/A1c.

  • Optimize therapy over time using consistent, route-appropriate timing of blood draws.

What testing cannot do

  • Diagnose from a single value or without symptoms.

  • Replace clinician judgment about therapy candidacy, fertility plans, or prostate evaluation.

  • Provide dosing, timing, or medication changes—those decisions belong with your clinician.

What These Tests Measure (at a glance)

  • Total Testosterone (morning, two separate days): first-line assessment; draw ~7–10 a.m. (less strict in older men). Avoid testing during acute illness.

  • Free Testosterone (calculated or measured): adds context when SHBG is high/low (age, obesity, thyroid/liver disease, medications).

  • SHBG & Albumin: needed to calculate free T; SHBG shifts can mask true androgen status.

  • LH & FSH: high values suggest primary (testicular) hypogonadism; low/normal suggest secondary(pituitary/hypothalamic).

  • Prolactin (when indicated): screens for hyperprolactinemia in low-T with low/normal LH/FSH or symptoms (galactorrhea, headaches/vision changes).

  • Estradiol (sensitive LC/MS preferred): helps assess gynecomastia, symptoms from aromatization, and balance on therapy.

  • CBC (Hemoglobin/Hematocrit): looks for erythrocytosis on therapy—elevations require clinician review.

  • PSA (age/risk-based) & Digital Rectal Exam (clinical): prostate baseline/monitoring per clinician guidance.

  • Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (AST/ALT, creatinine, electrolytes): medication safety and general health.

  • A1c/Glucose & Lipid Panel (± ApoB): cardiometabolic risk that can change with therapy, weight, or training.

  • Optional thyroid screen (TSH ± Free T4): hypothyroidism can mimic or worsen symptoms.

Quick Build Guide

Clinical question Start with Add if needed
Confirm low T Total Testosterone (2× morning) • SHBG/Albumin Free T calculation or equilibrium dialysis
Classify cause LH/FSH Prolactin (low/normal LH/FSH) • Iron studies (if pituitary hemochromatosis concern)
Pre-therapy safety baseline CBC (Hct/Hgb) • PSA (age/risk) • CMP (AST/ALT) • A1c/Glucose • Lipids Estradiol (LC/MS) • TSH
On-therapy monitoring Testosterone (timed consistently by route) • CBC • PSA Estradiol • CMP • Lipids/A1c
Persistent symptoms on HRT Testosterone + SHBG/Free T Estradiol • TSH • Prolactin • Sleep apnea evaluation (clinical)

How the Testing Process Works

  1. Establish the diagnosis: obtain two morning total testosterone tests on different days; add SHBG (and free T) for context.

  2. Determine the cause: check LH/FSH (± prolactin) to distinguish primary vs. secondary hypogonadism.

  3. Set safety baselines: order CBC, PSA, CMP, A1c/glucose, lipids (± estradiol).

  4. Begin therapy (clinician-directed): once started, schedule labs at consistent times relative to dose/route for apples-to-apples comparisons.

  5. Monitor and adjust: repeat labs per your clinician’s plan to track hematocrit, prostate markers, liver enzymes, and cardiometabolic risk.

Interpreting Results (General Guidance)

  • Low total T on two mornings plus symptoms supports deficiency; SHBG and free T refine interpretation.

  • High LH/FSH → primary testicular issue; low/normal LH/FSH → secondary/pituitary pattern (may need imaging/other labs).

  • Hematocrit rising on therapy warrants clinician review; severe elevation increases blood viscosity risk.

  • PSA changes require age- and history-specific clinical interpretation.

  • Estradiol may rise on therapy (aromatization); interpret symptoms and numbers together with a clinician.
    Always interpret labs with a qualified healthcare professional; trends and standardized timing matter.

Choosing Panels vs. Individual Tests

  • Baseline (before HRT): Total T (×2) • SHBG/Albumin • Free T • LH/FSH • Prolactin (as indicated) • CBC • PSA • CMP • A1c/Glucose • Lipids • Estradiol (LC/MS).

  • Early follow-up (route-consistent timing): Testosterone • CBC • PSA • Estradiol • CMP.

  • Long-term monitoring: Testosterone (interval per clinician) • CBC • PSA • Lipids/A1c • CMP; add SHBG/Free T if body weight, thyroid status, or meds change.

FAQs

Why two morning testosterone tests?
Testosterone peaks in the morning and varies day-to-day. Two separate mornings improve accuracy.

What’s the difference between total and free testosterone?
Total T is all circulating hormone; free T is the small fraction not bound to proteins. SHBG shifts can make free T more informative.

Will HRT affect fertility?
Testosterone therapy can suppress sperm production. Discuss family planning with your clinician before starting.

How often should I test on therapy?
Clinicians often check labs several weeks after starting or changing therapy, then periodically once stable.

Do I need estradiol testing?
It can help when symptoms suggest imbalance (breast tenderness, fluid retention) or during dose adjustments.

Can supplements or meds affect results?
Yes. Biotin may interfere with some immunoassays; list all meds (including inhaled/topical steroids, opioids, thyroid meds, and oral estrogen).

Related Categories & Key Tests

  • Hormone Tests Hub

  • Men’s Hormone Tests • Testosterone Tests • Erectile Dysfunction Evaluation • Thyroid Testing • Cardiometabolic Health

  • Key Tests: Total Testosterone (morning ×2) • Free Testosterone • SHBG • LH/FSH • Prolactin • Estradiol (sensitive LC/MS) • CBC (Hemoglobin/Hematocrit) • PSA • Comprehensive Metabolic Panel • Lipid Panel • A1c/Glucose • TSH

References

  • Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline on Testosterone Therapy in Men with Hypogonadism.
  • American Urological Association Guideline: Evaluation and Management of Testosterone Deficiency.
  • International Society for Sexual Medicine — Recommendations on investigation of low testosterone and monitoring.
  • FDA safety communications and labeling for testosterone products.
  • Reviews on SHBG/free testosterone assessment and assay method considerations (LC/MS vs immunoassay).
  • Cardiometabolic monitoring guidance in men receiving testosterone therapy.

Available Tests & Panels

Your HRT for Men menu is pre-populated in the Ulta Lab Tests system. Start with diagnostic confirmation (two morning total T with SHBG/free T), classify with LH/FSH (± prolactin), and set safety baselines (CBC, PSA, CMP, A1c/glucose, lipids, estradiol). After therapy begins, repeat labs on a consistent schedule and timing relative to dosing. Review all results with your clinician to personalize care.

  • Page
  • 1
  • of
  • 1
  • Total Rows
  • 10
Name Matches
Blood
Blood Draw, Phlebotomist
Add to  
Blood
Blood Draw, Phlebotomist
Add to  
Blood
Blood Draw, Phlebotomist
Add to  
Blood
Blood Draw, Phlebotomist
Add to  
Blood
Blood Draw, Phlebotomist
Add to  
Blood
Blood Draw, Phlebotomist
Add to  
Blood
Blood Draw, Phlebotomist
Add to  
Blood
Blood Draw, Phlebotomist
Add to  
Blood
Blood Draw, Phlebotomist
Add to  
Blood
Blood Draw, Phlebotomist
Add to  

What Is Men's Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?

Many of us know about menopause in women, but did you know that men experience their own version? Older men experience a change when some of their hormones decline as they age. However, younger men can experience this decline as well.

Low testosterone is something that can be easily tested no matter your age. Treatment is also available for men in the form of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). 

With the growth of HRT men, here are some details to help you understand if HRT is right for you. 

What Is Men's Hormone Replacement Therapy?

HRT focuses on bringing a man's hormone levels into a balanced state. This will help men stop experiencing the symptoms of hormone decline.

Testosterone hormones are given to men in two different ways. There are synthetic hormones and bioidentical hormones.

Both are lab-created, but bioidentical hormones are different because they are created from naturally occurring sources. The bioidentical hormones offer a greater ability to match a man's natural hormones. This natural hormone replacement therapy also helps to reduce side effects and increase the duration of the treatment.

The doctor prescribes the exact hormone doses they need to obtain the testosterone level they are targeting for the patient, based on lab test results. In order to maintain the targeted hormone levels and minimize side effects, lab tests are performed monthly, and the prescription is adjusted based on the lab results.

Many options are available to deliver hormone replacement therapy to men. These include injections, time-release pellets, patches, or creams, and they are tailored to each patient.

HRT Symptoms in Men

As men age, they often show signs of testosterone deficiency. Some of the most common symptoms of hormone deficiency include:

  • Lower sex drive             
  • Thinning hair
  • Increased weight           
  • Decreasing muscle mass
  • Low energy                   
  • Erectile problems
  • Irritability                     
  • Memory loss
  • Urinary problems           
  • Sleep sweats

Many men see these symptoms subside with HRT. In fact, more doctors and clinics are focusing on men and their health with available HRT options.

HRT Men Lab Tests

The power of lab tests to monitor HRT is that they give you actual insight into your overall health. You don't have to guess how you are doing; these tests can give you regular feedback on many different aspects of your health.

With hormone replacement therapy, you don't just track testosterone levels. The therapy has an impact on your entire endocrine system.

It is important to test for a number of key biomarkers that include total testosterone, free testosterone, Sex Hormone Binding Globulin, Estradiol, and DHEA.

These tests, along with the following tests, are important to monitor and track the changes while undergoing HRT.

Testing your cortisol levels will let you know how you are doing with stress and possible adrenal fatigue. It is important to monitor your insulin and Hemoglobin A1c levels, which help you to see the average blood sugar levels in your body over time.

Your Vitamin D levels should be tested and monitored because they influence your natural immunity. The total protein is the total amount of two classes of proteins, albumin and globulin, which are found in the fluid portion of your blood.

You should also test and monitor your thyroid hormones regularly while undergoing HRT. This is important because many people who have thyroid issues don't know it for a while and waste a lot of time treating other symptoms.

These lab tests will provide you with the information you need to supplement or adjust your therapy, diet, lifestyle, and medications to optimize your overall health.

HRT men lab tests from Ulta Lab Tests include the important tests for individuals undergoing HRT.

Ulta Lab Tests offers these tests and hundreds of others at very affordable prices. This enables you to test frequently while on HRT and to track your results online in your secure patient dashboard.

HRT Risks and Side Effects

As with any type of treatment, hormone replacement therapy side effects can occur. All treatments should be done under the guidance of a physician.

The bioidentical treatments seem to have fewer side effects than the synthetic hormones, so many men choose to go with a more natural treatment for hormone replacement therapy.

Some men on HRT have seen side effects such as elevated red blood cells or decreased testicle size. Other men have had some fluid retention, an increase in acne, or their sperm count goes down during treatment.

Men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer or have a history of prostate cancer in their family should discuss that with their doctor before starting any hormone therapy. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Men's HRT

Many men aren't sure if HRT is for them. Here are some of the most common questions men have about Hormone Replacement Therapy.

How Do I Know if I Need HRT?

You may exhibit mild or severe symptoms of decreased testosterone. The best way to know is to get lab tests for your hormone levels.

Who Can Help Me With Treatment?

Your primary care physician should be the first person you consult. You could also look for a men's clinic that specializes in HRT in your area.

Can't I Just Take a Pill From the Store?

Many of the over-the-counter options for men do not work. Without actual lab-tested levels, most men are wasting money on unneeded solutions.

Take Charge of Your Health

Ulta Lab Tests offers highly accurate and reliable tests, so you can make informed decisions about your health.

  • Secure and confidential results
  • No insurance referral is needed
  • Affordable pricing
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee

You can take charge of your health by understanding your own body's needs.

Men undergoing hormone replacement therapy can see many benefits, but they must first know what is needed. Getting accurate lab results and frequent testing, and tracking your biomarkers are key steps in successful HRT.

Order your male HRT lab tests today, and you will get your results securely and confidentially online in 24 to 48 hours for most tests.

Take control of your health today with Ulta Lab Tests.