Men’s Testosterone Blood Test
A private testosterone test in Kingston, taken on a morning sample, without a GP referral. The panel measures the full male hormone axis: total testosterone, SHBG, calculated free testosterone (Free Androgen Index), LH, FSH and prolactin. Reading testosterone alongside SHBG and the pituitary hormones avoids the misinterpretation a single-marker test often produces. Reviewed by a GMC-registered doctor at our CQC-registered Kingston clinic, with results in 2 to 5 working days.
By Dr Maryam Attarzadeh, GMC-registered doctor and Medical Director, KONCEPT® Medical Clinic. Last reviewed May 2026. Next review November 2026.
The Men's Testosterone & Hormone panel is for men whose energy, libido, mood, strength, body composition or fertility have changed, and for men who want a confirmed hormonal baseline before considering treatment. It includes the markers needed to interpret testosterone properly: total testosterone alone can mislead because most testosterone is bound to SHBG and only the free fraction is biologically active. By measuring SHBG with total testosterone, the lab can calculate free testosterone and the Free Androgen Index. Adding LH, FSH and prolactin distinguishes a problem in the testis from a problem in the pituitary, and rules out a prolactinoma as a treatable cause of low testosterone.
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a specialist-led, long-term decision based on a confirmed low testosterone level on two early-morning samples plus symptoms, and a discussion of the risks and benefits. This panel provides the diagnostic groundwork; treatment is a separate clinical conversation. If your concerns include the wider picture (PSA, metabolic markers, thyroid), the Sexual Health & Libido panel may be a better fit.
The standard first-line measurement of testosterone. Always interpreted alongside SHBG, free testosterone and the pituitary hormones; a single total testosterone result in isolation can be misleading. Most accurate from an early-morning sample between 7am and 10am.
The protein that binds testosterone in the blood. Most circulating testosterone is bound to SHBG and is not biologically active. SHBG levels affect how much testosterone is free to act, and SHBG itself can be raised or lowered by age, weight, thyroid status, insulin resistance and liver function.
Calculated from total testosterone and SHBG. The free fraction is biologically active. The Free Androgen Index is the standard way to estimate free testosterone in routine practice.
A pituitary hormone that drives testosterone production in the testes. Raised LH with low testosterone points to a problem in the testes (primary hypogonadism); low or inappropriately normal LH with low testosterone points to a problem in the pituitary or hypothalamus (secondary hypogonadism).
A pituitary hormone that drives sperm production. Important when fertility is part of the picture, and helps the doctor classify the hormonal pattern correctly.
Raised prolactin (from a benign pituitary tumour called a prolactinoma) is a treatable and easily-missed cause of low testosterone and low libido in men. Including prolactin in the standard workup avoids missing it.
Each result is interpreted by the doctor against the appropriate reference range for you. Testosterone has marked diurnal variation and is most accurate from a morning sample. A formal diagnosis of low testosterone requires two early-morning samples per NICE CKS guidance on male hypogonadism.
A GMC-registered doctor at KONCEPT® reviews the request for clinical suitability before the appointment is confirmed.
Total testosterone alone can mislead. This panel includes SHBG, calculated free testosterone, LH, FSH and prolactin so testosterone is interpreted in the context that actually drives it.
Testosterone has a marked diurnal pattern. Where possible we book testosterone-included panels in the morning to give the most reliable result.
Bloods are drawn in our CQC-registered Kingston clinic by an experienced practitioner. Samples are processed by an accredited UK pathology laboratory.
A short outcome note is sent to your email, password-protected, with a clear plan: normal, no follow-up needed, or GP review recommended (NHS GP or KONCEPT® GP at £149).
Testosterone replacement therapy is a long-term specialist-led decision. Book a 30-minute KONCEPT® GP consultation (£149) to discuss results, lifestyle measures and onward referral to endocrinology or men's-health specialists.
Online home-kit testosterone packages post a finger-prick kit and return an emailed PDF. The big risk with testosterone testing is misinterpretation: a single total testosterone in isolation, on an evening or post-exercise sample, often returns a misleadingly low result.
| Home-kit testosterone package | KONCEPT® Men's Testosterone panel | |
|---|---|---|
| What's measured | Sometimes total testosterone alone; sometimes with SHBG. Pituitary hormones (LH, FSH, prolactin) often not included. | Total testosterone, SHBG, calculated free testosterone (Free Androgen Index), LH, FSH and prolactin in one panel. |
| Sample timing | Whenever you do the kit. Testosterone has a marked diurnal pattern so a late-day sample can read low without it meaning low testosterone. | Morning slots prioritised for testosterone-included panels for the most reliable result. |
| Sample collection | Self-administered finger-prick. Small volume can affect hormone assay reliability. | Venous draw in-clinic for consistent assay quality across all six hormones. |
| Who reviews the result | Algorithm-generated PDF. | Reviewed together by a GMC-registered doctor. Review included in the £268 price. |
| Action when something needs follow-up | "See your GP." | Discussed with the reviewing doctor, with onward referral (endocrinology, men's health) or NHS GP continuity as appropriate. |
| Regulation | Online retailer. | CQC-registered private clinic. GMC-registered doctors. ICO-registered for data protection. |
The NHS provides comprehensive care and remains the right route for many men. KONCEPT® is designed to complement, not replace, that care, for men who want a complete hormonal baseline on their own timing.
| Standard NHS approach | What KONCEPT® adds | |
|---|---|---|
| Booking and access | Via your registered NHS GP, subject to local appointment availability and clinical prioritisation. | Book directly without a referral. Same-day, Saturday and out-of-hours appointments at the Kingston clinic. |
| Scope of first-line hormone testing | First-line testing for suspected low testosterone is typically a morning total testosterone, with further markers added if confirmed low, per NICE CKS guidance. | Total testosterone, SHBG, calculated free testosterone, LH, FSH and prolactin in one panel as a complete first look. |
| Time with the reviewing doctor | Length of GP consultation varies by region and provider. | A 30-minute consultation with a GMC-registered doctor is offered alongside the panel for men who would like one. |
| Onward specialist input | Endocrinology or men's-health referral routes and waits vary by region, specialty, clinical urgency and provider. | If onward input is helpful, the reviewing doctor can refer privately or support continuity with your NHS GP. |
| Cost | Free at the point of use. | All-in £268 (£229 test fee plus the one-off £39 administration fee). |
NHS provision varies by region and clinical context, and the NHS pathway remains appropriate for many patients. KONCEPT® encourages continued NHS GP involvement and shares clinical summaries with your NHS GP on request.
Morning slots prioritised for the most reliable testosterone result. Online, in person, or added during a GP consultation. Each request is reviewed by a GMC-registered doctor.
An experienced practitioner takes your sample in-clinic. Fasting is not required but a morning sample (7am to 10am) is strongly preferred. Stop biotin supplements 48 to 72 hours before. Avoid heavy exercise on the morning of the test.
Samples are processed by an accredited UK pathology laboratory.
Most results within 2 to 5 working days. A short outcome note is sent securely to your email, password-protected, with the testosterone result placed in the context of SHBG, free testosterone, LH, FSH and prolactin.
KONCEPT® Medical Clinic offers the Men's Testosterone & Hormone panel for men across the KT and SW postcodes. Patients book from Kingston upon Thames, Surbiton, New Malden, Wimbledon, Richmond upon Thames, Putney, Teddington, Hampton, Esher, Cobham, Walton-on-Thames, Thames Ditton and Twickenham. The clinic is at 46 to 48 Wood Street, opposite Kingston Station. Call 020 8129 1011 or book online.
Men whose energy, libido, mood, strength or body composition have changed, men who suspect low testosterone, men with concerns about fertility, and men who want a confirmed hormonal baseline before any treatment conversation.
Total testosterone, SHBG, calculated free testosterone (Free Androgen Index), LH, FSH and prolactin.
Most testosterone in the blood is bound to SHBG and is not biologically active. Without SHBG you cannot calculate free testosterone, and without LH, FSH and prolactin you cannot tell whether a low testosterone is from the testes or the pituitary, or whether a treatable prolactinoma is being missed. The fuller panel gives the doctor a complete picture.
Morning, ideally between 7am and 10am. Testosterone is highest in the morning and falls through the day. Avoid heavy exercise on the morning of the test.
Fasting is not strictly required for the hormone panel, but stop biotin supplements 48 to 72 hours before, as biotin interferes with hormone assays. If you are likely to add metabolic markers later, fast for 10 to 12 hours so both can be done at the same visit.
Most results within 2 to 5 working days, sent securely to your email, password-protected.
No. TRT is a long-term specialist-led decision based on a confirmed low testosterone on two early-morning samples per NICE CKS guidance, plus symptoms, and a careful risk-benefit discussion. This panel provides the diagnostic groundwork and the reviewing doctor can refer you to endocrinology or specialist men's-health services if treatment is being considered.
The doctor will typically recommend a confirmatory second early-morning sample, plus a discussion of contributing factors such as sleep, weight, alcohol, medications and stress. If both samples confirm low testosterone, the doctor will outline next steps including specialist referral. Many cases of low testosterone respond to lifestyle change without medication.
No. PSA is included in the Sexual Health & Libido panel, and the Stockholm3 panel is a dedicated prostate cancer risk score. You can add PSA on request.
Home-kit packages often measure total testosterone alone (sometimes with SHBG), on a finger-prick sample taken whenever the kit arrives. At KONCEPT® the sample is a venous draw, morning-timed where possible, with six hormones interpreted together by a GMC-registered doctor. Review and outcome note are included in the £268 panel price.
The NHS provides comprehensive care and remains the right route for many men. KONCEPT® complements that care for men who want a complete hormonal baseline including SHBG, free testosterone, LH, FSH and prolactin in one visit, on their own timing.
46 to 48 Wood Street, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 1UW, opposite Kingston station.
All in £268. Morning slots prioritised for the most reliable testosterone result. No GP referral needed. Doctor-reviewed result, sent securely to your email.
Serving Kingston upon Thames and the surrounding KT, SW and TW catchment.
This page is for information only and is not a substitute for medical advice. A formal diagnosis of low testosterone requires two early-morning samples interpreted alongside symptoms. KONCEPT® does not initiate long-term testosterone replacement therapy from a single panel result.