You will be required to provide a blood sample in order for hormonal investigations to be carried out.

However, not every blood test is for this purpose alone. Sometimes a blood sample is destined for immunological or genetic tests.

Hormonal profiling will be performed as standard at your first consultation, provided that it hasn't already been done elsewhere.

 

Hormonal profiling [blood test | lab, see practical]
This test is designed to give a good indication of the sperm production of the testicle (see theory, the man). More specifically, the levels of FSH hormone are measured, which is the barometer for the function of the testicles. If FSH levels are too high, it can lead to poor function of the fertility system: the reproductive organs will receive the signal from the hypofyse that their production of testosterone is optimal. Low levels of FSH are equally undesireable, because this leads to too weak a signal for the production of testosterone.

In some cases, levels of the 'stress hormone' prolactine are investigated. Too high levels can lead to erection problems in men.