Low testosterone (hypogonadism) is increasingly common among Lagos men — causing fatigue, low libido, mood changes, reduced muscle mass, and fertility problems. Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) have elevated testosterone driving irregular cycles and hirsutism. A simple blood test in Lagos measures your levels and guides targeted treatment.
Testosterone testing in Lagos ranges from a simple total testosterone screen to a comprehensive hormone panel including the pituitary hormones that regulate testosterone production. The right test depends on your symptoms and what your doctor needs to know.
Total testosterone measures the combined blood level of testosterone bound to proteins (SHBG and albumin) and the small fraction that circulates freely. In men, the normal range is approximately 8–30 nmol/L (300–1000 ng/dL), but symptoms of hypogonadism can occur at levels that are "normal" for the laboratory but suboptimal for the individual. Total testosterone is the first-line test for suspected low testosterone in Lagos men.
Only 1–3% of circulating testosterone is free (unbound to proteins) — but this free fraction is the biologically active form that enters cells and drives the hormonal effects. Some Lagos men have low free testosterone despite normal total testosterone, because high levels of sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG) tie up most of the circulating hormone. Free testosterone (calculated or direct) clarifies this discrepancy and guides treatment decisions.
The extended panel adds LH (luteinising hormone), FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), and SHBG. LH and FSH tell us whether low testosterone originates in the testes (primary hypogonadism — high LH/FSH) or in the brain's pituitary-hypothalamic axis (secondary hypogonadism — low or normal LH/FSH). This distinction determines whether treatment involves testosterone replacement, clomiphene, or imaging for a pituitary tumour.
Testosterone levels follow a circadian rhythm — they are highest between 7 AM and 10 AM and fall 20–35% by afternoon. Lagos endocrinologists and international guidelines recommend all testosterone tests be drawn in this morning window to ensure valid, reproducible results. Afternoon results are unreliable for diagnosing hypogonadism and should be repeated in the morning before any treatment decision.
Fasting is not required for testosterone testing. Arrive at Mascot Healthcare's Akoka laboratory between 7 AM and 10 AM without any special dietary preparation. However, if you are combining testosterone with fasting-required tests such as a lipid profile or fasting blood sugar, fast for 8–10 hours and arrive early in the morning to cover both.
Tell us if you are using testosterone supplements, anabolic steroids, clomiphene, or any hormonal medications — these will falsely elevate or suppress results. Avoid strenuous exercise the evening before testing, as intense physical activity transiently raises testosterone by 15–20%. Acute illness, significant sleep deprivation, or heavy alcohol use the night before can suppress testosterone and should be disclosed.
We don't just report a single number. Our extended testosterone panel gives a complete picture of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis — essential for correctly diagnosing primary versus secondary hypogonadism and guiding Lagos clinicians on the right treatment pathway.
We are open from 7 AM specifically to accommodate morning hormone collection in Lagos. Testosterone drawn in the correct morning window produces valid results; afternoon draws frequently produce falsely low results that lead to unnecessary treatment. We get this right.
A testosterone result without interpretation is unhelpful. We explain what your level means for your age, what the reference range is, and what the next steps are — whether that's lifestyle optimisation, referral to a Lagos endocrinologist, or further hormone testing.
52 Sholanke Street, Akoka — convenient from Lagos Island, Lekki, Yaba, and Ikeja. Open Mon – Sat from 7 AM. WhatsApp booking available so your morning slot is ready before you arrive.
"I had been feeling tired and my gym progress stalled completely. Came for a testosterone panel in Lagos — my total T was at the bottom of the range and my LH was elevated. The result explained everything. My doctor started me on clomiphene and within three months the difference was dramatic."
Walk in or book ahead. Located at 52 Sholanke Street, Off Chemist Junction, Akoka, Lagos.
Monday – Saturday · 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Closed Sundays & Public Holidays