Lab work Considerations
Some Lab work is usually required. You may be able to work with a local provider to get this work done, if you select a specialist in sexual issues that is outside of your local area.

We recommend that if you get your labs done locally, get a full copy of all results, and keep that on file. (We would actually recommend a full copy of all tests, regardless of who does them.)

Here are a list of tests, and a fairly comprehensive list with "Norm" values. (You should ignore these norm values and use those provided by your lab or talk with your doctor, should your lab have a different "norm" range.)

The most important tests, as they relate to FSD (desire and arousal) are in bold.

• CBC, (Complete Blood Count: Measures Red Blood cells [hemoglobin], White blood cells, Platelets.
  
  
• *Total Cholesterol,
  
  
• HDL (High-density lipoprotein) This is a test that measures the amount of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in serum. "Good" cholesterol
  Normal values
  

HDL will usually be performed as part of an overall lipid profile, wherein LDL, and triglycerides will also be measured. The combination of all these different types of fats can help determine cardiovascular event risk (i.e., heart attack, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease).

Women tend to have better HDL cholesterol than men. In general, an increased risk for heart disease, including heart attack, occurs when the HDL level is less than 40mg/dL. More specifically, men are at particular risk if their HDL is below 37 mg/dL and women if their HDL is below 47 mg/dL.

An HDL 60mg/dL or above helps protect against heart disease.

• LDL (Low density lipoprotein) This is a test that measures the amount of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in serum. This is the "Bad" cholesterol.
  A healthy LDL level is one that falls in the optimal or near-optimal range.
  Optimal: Less than 100 mg/dL
  Near Optimal: 100-129 mg/dL
  Borderline High: 130-159 mg/dL
  High: 160-189 mg/dL
  Very High: 190 mg/dL and higher
  
  
• FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)
  Female:
  premenopausal: 5 to 30 IU/L
  mid-cycle peak: 10 to 60 IU/L
  pregnancy: low to undetectable
  postmenopausal: Greater than 30 IU/L
  Note: IU/L = international units per liter.
  
  
• LH / ICSH (Luteinizing hormone) - normal adult female: 5 to 20 IU/L, with the mid-cycle peak about 3 times the base level
  
  
• Prolactin / PRL (A blood test that measures the amount of the hormone prolactin.)
  males and nonpregnant females: 0 to 20 ng/ml
  pregnancy: 10 to 300 ng/ml
  
  
• SGOT / AST (serum glutamic oxaoacetic transaminase / aspartate aminotransferase) Liver Function
  
  
• SGPT / ALT (serum glutamic pyruvate transaminase / alanine aminotransferase) Liver Function
  
  
• Thyroid Function Tests (TSH, Thyroxine/T4)
  
  
• Testosterone
  
  
• Free testosterone (Not radioimmunoassay but equilibrium dialysis if possible - sensitivity and accuracy is better.)
  Radioimmunoassay is not nearly as sensitive and accurate as equilibrium dialysis. For very low levels, E.D. is much better. Radioimmunoassay is used by many labs and is probably cheaper. If getting an ED assay is important to you, you should specifically ask for it.
  One of our forum posters, says. "Quest in their California lab does the gold standard, free testosterone by equilibrium dialysis."
  
  
• DHEA
  
  
• DHEA-S
  
  
• Androstenedione
  
  
• SHBG (Sex Homrmone Binding Globulin)
  
  
• DHT (dihydrotestosterone)
  
  
• Estradiol
  
  
• Estrone
  

  (Many of the "norm" values are from the National Institutes of Health)
  

Of these, the most important ones, in relation to a desire or libido problem are: Testosterone, Free testosterone, DHEA, DHEA-S, Androstenedione, SHBG.

There are reasons for other of these tests. There may be some concern for Testosterone supplementation, for Liver function and cholesterol levels, thus your physician may want to get baseline values for these.

* Estimated Cost: $200-300 for Lab-work only. The office visit will probably be in addition to these costs.

Lab work Considerations - What are the "norm" values, and why aren't they listed here?
Norm values are difficult to produce here. The ranges are quite large, and are also adjusted by age. Lastly, depending on how the lab you had your blood work done at, its tests may render different values for a particular test than another lab. Thus, you should get a "normal" set of values with your lab work. This is another reason to get full and complete copies of any tests you may have done. You will find this information exceedingly valuable over time, so please, make sure you get and keep full copies of all test results