What to Expect from Your Lab Work at Lowcountry Male
At Lowcountry Male, we take a deep dive into your health with comprehensive lab testing—because your body deserves more than just a quick check-up. Our goal is to optimize how you feel every day, not just react to problems when they show up.
If you’ve been feeling tired, sluggish, moody, or just not quite like yourself, your labs can give us real answers. Whether it’s hormone imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, or hidden inflammation, these tests help us pinpoint the root cause and create a personalized game plan to get you feeling your best.
Optimize Your Health with Comprehensive Lab Work! 🎙️
Common Blood Tests for Men
- 1. Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- 2. Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
- 3. Lipid Panel
- 4. Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test
- 5. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) Test
- 6. Testosterone Test
- 7. Thyroid Panel
- 8. Vitamin D Test
- 9. Luteinizing Hormone (LH) & Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- What it measures: The CBC measures the quantity and characteristics of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, hemoglobin, and hematocrit.
- What it reveals: This test reveals the presence of conditions like anemia, infections, clotting disorders, and various blood-related diseases by assessing the levels and health of blood cells.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
- What it measures: The CMP measures glucose levels, electrolyte balance, kidney function markers, and liver function markers.
- What it reveals: This test reveals potential issues such as diabetes, kidney or liver disease, electrolyte imbalances, and dehydration by evaluating metabolic function.
Lipid Panel
- What it measures: The lipid panel measures total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.
- What it reveals: This test reveals the risk of heart disease by assessing the levels of various lipids in the blood.
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test
- What it measures: The PSA test measures the level of prostate-specific antigen in the blood.
- What it reveals: This test reveals potential prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, or prostatitis, though elevated levels can have multiple causes.
Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) Test
- What it measures: The HbA1c test measures average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months.
- What it reveals: This test reveals long-term blood sugar control and is used for diagnosing and monitoring diabetes.
Testosterone Test
- What it measures: The testosterone test measures the level of testosterone in the blood.
- What it reveals: This test reveals potential low testosterone levels, hormonal imbalances, and factors affecting male fertility.
Thyroid Panel
- What it measures: The thyroid panel measures thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid hormones T3 and T4.
- What it reveals: This test reveals hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism by assessing the function of the thyroid gland.
Vitamin D Test
- What it measures: The vitamin D test measures the level of vitamin D in the blood.
- What it reveals: This test reveals vitamin D deficiency, which can impact bone health, immune function, and overall well-being.
Luteinizing Hormone (LH) & Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
- What it measures: Both Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) are crucial for sexual development and reproductive function in both men and women. In men, they stimulate sperm production and testosterone production.
- What it reveals: Measuring LH and FSH levels helps diagnose various conditions, including infertility and problems with puberty. Abnormal levels can indicate issues with the pituitary gland or testes.
1. Complete Blood Count (CBC)
2. Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
3. Lipid Panel
4. Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test
5. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) Test
6. Testosterone Test
7. Thyroid Panel
8. Vitamin D Test
9. Luteinizing Hormone (LH) & Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
Diving in Deeper: What are We testing For
Checking Your Vitamins & Nutrients – Are You Running on Empty?
Vitamins fuel your body like high-quality gas fuels a sports car. If you’re running low, you’re not going to perform at your best—physically or mentally.
What We Check:
- Vitamin B12 – Low B12? Expect fatigue, brain fog, and poor focus. It’s essential for energy and nerve health.
- Folate (B9) – Important for red blood cell production and heart health. Low levels = higher risk of anemia and cardiovascular issues.
- Vitamin D – If you’re tired, achy, or moody, this could be the culprit. Low vitamin D is linked to low testosterone, weakened immunity, and bone health issues.
Blood Health & Oxygen Levels – Keeping Your Engine Running Smoothly
Your blood delivers oxygen and nutrients to your entire body. If something’s off, you’ll feel it—low energy, dizziness, poor recovery, or even frequent illness.
What We Check:
- Complete Blood Count (CBC) – Gives us a full picture of your blood health. We check for signs of anemia, infections, and overall vitality.
- Iron & Ferritin – Iron helps deliver oxygen to your muscles and brain. Too little? You’ll feel exhausted. Too much? It could mean inflammation.
Liver Function – Your Body’s Detox System
Your liver does a lot—filters out toxins, regulates hormones, and processes everything you eat and drink. If it’s overworked, you might feel sluggish, bloated, or have skin issues.
What We Check:
- Bilirubin & Liver Enzymes (ALP, AST, ALT) – These markers tell us how well your liver is handling toxins, alcohol, medications, and diet.
- Total Protein & Albumin – These help us assess overall liver function and nutritional status.
Heart Health & Inflammation – Are You at Risk?
Heart disease doesn’t happen overnight—it builds over years. The good news? We can catch early warning signs before it becomes a problem.
What We Check:
- C-Reactive Protein (CRP-hs) – A key marker of inflammation in your arteries. Higher levels = higher risk of heart disease.
- Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) – A better predictor of heart disease than basic cholesterol tests.
- Homocysteine – Elevated levels can increase the risk of blood clots, strokes, and cardiovascular disease.
Thyroid & Metabolism – The Key to Energy & Weight Control
Your thyroid is like your body’s thermostat—it controls your energy, metabolism, and how efficiently you burn fat. If it’s not working properly, you might feel tired, sluggish, cold, or struggle with weight gain.
What We Check:
- Thyroid Antibodies (Anti-TPO & Anti-Tg) – Detects autoimmune thyroid issues like Hashimoto’s.
- Cortisol & DHEA-S – Measures stress hormones, which impact sleep, weight, and muscle recovery.
- Glucose & A1C – These tell us how well your body processes sugar and if you’re at risk for diabetes or insulin resistance.
Hormones & Sexual Health – Testosterone, Energy, & Libido
Hormones affect everything—your mood, energy, muscle mass, and even how well you sleep. If you’re feeling off, unmotivated, or noticing changes in performance (in or out of the gym/bedroom), it could be your hormones.
What We Check:
- Total & Free Testosterone – Low testosterone? Expect fatigue, weight gain, low libido, and mood swings.
- Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG) – Determines how much testosterone is actually available for your body to use.
- Estradiol (Estrogen) – Too much estrogen in men can lead to weight gain, fatigue, and even emotional changes.
Kidney Function & Hydration – Flushing Out Toxins
Your kidneys keep your fluids balanced, filter out waste, and help regulate blood pressure. If they aren’t working properly, toxins build up, and you might feel bloated, fatigued, or dehydrated.
What We Check:
- Creatinine & BUN – Measure how efficiently your kidneys are filtering waste from your body.
- Electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium, Chloride) – These minerals keep your muscles, nerves, and hydration levels in check.
What May Impact Blood Tests Results
Before starting any form of testosterone replacement, our doctors conduct a comprehensive evaluation of each patient. This includes lab tests to measure:
- Fasting:
- Many tests, particularly those measuring glucose and lipids, require fasting. Eating or drinking before these tests can significantly alter results.
- Medications:
- Prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements can all affect blood test values. It’s essential to inform your healthcare provider about all medications you’re taking.
- Exercise:
- Strenuous physical activity before a blood test can lead to temporary changes in certain blood components, such as glucose and electrolytes.
- Hydration:
- Dehydration can concentrate blood components, leading to falsely elevated results. Conversely, overhydration can dilute blood, potentially causing falsely low readings.
- Alcohol and Smoking:
- Alcohol consumption and smoking can affect various blood parameters, including liver enzymes and blood cell counts.
- Diabetes:
- The most obvious impact is on glucose levels. Diabetes is characterized by elevated blood glucose. Therefore, tests measuring glucose, such as fasting blood glucose, random blood glucose, and the oral glucose tolerance test, will be directly affected.
What This Means for You:
Before starting any form of testosterone replacement, our doctors conduct a comprehensive evaluation of each patient. This includes lab tests to measure:
- More Energy:
- No more dragging through the day.
- Better mental focus:
- Say goodbye to brain fog.
- Improved muscle tone & fat loss:
- A properly balanced body makes all the difference.
- Stronger libido & better performance:
- Confidence in and out of the bedroom.
- Long-term health protection:
- Because prevention is always better than cure.
Take Control of Your Health
If you’ve been feeling off, tired, or not yourself, it’s time to get real answers. Our comprehensive lab work is the first step toward a healthier, stronger, and more energized you.