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The Erectile Dysfunction Test can help to indicate erectile dysfunction in adult men. This is a common condition that affects many men, most commonly men over the age of 40. However, it’s worth noting that it can impact men of any age. While it is not dangerous, it can impact your daily routine and lifestyle and there are various treatments that can help to reduce its effects.
Using our simple, at-home test kit can help to indicate the presence of erectile dysfunction, as well as providing insight into potential causes of this condition. Your doctor can then recommend a course of treatment.

 

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Erectile Dysfunction Test = £150

 
 

 

 
 

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Biomarker Profiles

(11 BIOMARKERS)

 

Diabetes: Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disease which is becoming increasingly common across all ages. Up to one third of adults in the UK have prediabetes and are at risk of developing diabetes. It is caused by the interplay between lifestyle factors and our genes. Lack of exercise, making unhealthy diet choices and being overweight all increase the likelihood of developing diabetes. It is important to identify diabetes early; if you have raised blood glucose and are at the stage described as prediabetic, then you can still bring blood glucose levels back down by making lifestyle changes. Once diabetes is diagnosed it is vitally important to manage your blood glucose levels carefully to avoid many of the devastating side-effects of the disease which can damage nerves, blood vessels, kidneys and eyes. Diabetes is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease as well as some cancers and is a major cause of decreased life-expectancy.

HbA1c
Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), also known as glycated haemoglobin, is a longer-term measure of glucose levels in your blood than a simple blood glucose test. Glucose attaches itself to the haemoglobin in your red blood cells, and as your cells live for around 12-16 weeks, it gives us a good indication of the average level of sugar in your blood over a 3-month period.

Cholesterol Status: Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in the blood that plays an essential role in how the cells in the body work. However, too much cholesterol in the blood can have a serious effect on your health as it increases your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. There are many factors which raise the risk of cardiovascular disease and we are learning more all the time about the complex biological processes which lead to a heart attack. There are different types of cholesterol and some are more dangerous than others. Cholesterol is manufactured in the liver and comes from the food we eat. Diet, family history, obesity and lack of exercise can all have negative impact cholesterol levels.

Triglycerides
Triglycerides are a type of fat (lipid) that circulate in the blood. They are carried in the bloodstream by lipoproteins called chylomicrons and VLDLs (very low-density lipoproteins). After you eat, your body converts excess calories into triglycerides which are then transported to cells to be stored as fat. Your body then releases triglycerides when required for energy.
LDL Cholestrol
LDL cholesterol (low density lipoprotein) is a molecule made of lipids and proteins which transports cholesterol, triglycerides and other fats to various tissues throughout the body. Too much LDL cholesterol, commonly called ‘bad cholesterol’, can cause fatty deposits to accumulate inside artery walls, potentially leading to atherosclerosis and heart disease. You can make dramatic changes to your cholesterol levels through diet and training. And just like with the diabetes checks, if you can improve your levels, you can hopefully prevent getting serious, possibly even fatal conditions down the line.
Non HDL Cholesterol
Non-HDL cholesterol includes all the cholesterol molecules which are not HDL (or ‘good’ cholesterol). It therefore includes all the non-protective and potentially harmful cholesterol in your blood. As such, it is a better marker for cardiovascular risk than total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. The recommended level of non-HDL cholesterol is below 4 mmol/L. You can make dramatic changes to your cholesterol levels through diet and training. And just like with the diabetes checks, if you can improve your levels, you can hopefully prevent getting serious, possibly even fatal conditions down the line. You can use HDL and LDL (and non-HDL) results as markers and targets for improvement.
HDL Cholesterol
HDL cholesterol, or High-Density Lipoprotein is a molecule in the body which removes cholesterol from the bloodstream and transports it to the liver where it is broken down and removed from the body in bile. HDL cholesterol is commonly known as ‘good cholesterol’. You can make dramatic changes to your cholesterol levels through diet and training.
Total cholesterol
Cholesterol is an essential fat (lipid) in the body. Although it has a bad reputation it has some important functions, including building cell membranes and producing several essential hormones. Cholesterol is manufactured in the liver and comes from the food we eat. Total cholesterol is a measure of all the cholesterol in your blood, both good (HDL) and bad (LDL, VLDL and non-HDL). Fats are the primary energy source for endurance events or when carbohydrate energy sources are low. Medium-chain fatty acids are heavily utilised. Cholesterol transports fatty acids around the body and by looking at the levels of the different types of cholesterol we can get an insight into your health and cardiovascular risk (i.e. the build-up of cholesterol in blood vessels leading to blood vessel narrowing, heart attack and stroke). The liver regulates cholesterol levels in the body; it both synthesizes it and removes it; it also synthesises various lipoproteins that transport cholesterol throughout the body – and it is these that we measure in the cholesterol test.
Total cholesterol: HDL
The cholesterol/HDL ratio is calculated by dividing your total cholesterol value by your HDL cholesterol level. It is used as a measure of cardiovascular risk because it gives a good insight into the proportion of your total cholesterol which is “good” (i.e. high-density lipoprotein, HDL). Heart disease risk tools (such as QRisk) use the cholesterol/HDL ratio to calculate your risk of having a heart attack.

Hormones: Hormones govern every activity of your body, from growth and metabolism to reproduction and your sleep cycle. Even a small imbalance in your hormone levels can have a significant impact on your health, affecting your mood and energy levels as well as fertility and libido. Hormones are known as chemical messengers which are manufactured in your glands and released into your bloodstream. They instruct your body in everything it does – regulating appetite, growth, mood and reproduction. Generally they keep the body functioning and in balance. Hormone disorders are common and can often be put right through hormone replacement therapy or lifestyle changes. Hormone levels fluctuate throughout the day and also, for women, through the reproductive cycle.

Testosterone
Testosterone is a hormone that causes male characteristics. For men, it helps to regulate sex drive and has a role in controlling bone mass, fat distribution, muscle mass, strength and the production of red blood cells and sperm. Testosterone is produced in the testicles of men and, in much smaller amounts, in the ovaries of women. Testosterone levels in men naturally decline after the age of 30, although lower than normal levels can occur at any age and can cause low libido, erectile dysfunction, difficulty in gaining and maintaining muscle mass and lack of energy. Although women have much lower amounts of testosterone than men, it is important for much the same reasons, playing a role in libido, the distribution of muscle and fat and the formation of red blood cells. All laboratories will slightly differ in the reference ranges they apply because they are based on the population they are testing. The normal range is set so that 95% of men will fall into it. Levels below 12 nmol/L could also be considered low, especially in men who also report symptoms of low testosterone or who have low levels of free testosterone.
Prolactin
Prolactin is a hormone which is produced in the pituitary gland and plays a role in reproductive health. Its primary purpose is to stimulate milk production after childbirth, and in pregnant and breastfeeding women prolactin levels can soar.

Thyroid function: The main job of the thyroid gland is to produce the hormones T3 and T4 (thyroxine). These hormones need to be produced in the right amounts to keep you healthy, as they control a wide range of functions in your body, like your metabolism (the way your body turns what you eat and drink into energy), your body temperature and the use of fat and glucose stores.

If you have too much thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism), or too little (hypothyroidism), it can make you unwell and should be treated to correct the levels. This usually involves medication in the form of a tablet prescribed by your doctor. ED is usually associated with hyperthyroidism, but can happen in both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.

TSH
(thyroid stimulating hormone) and T4 is measured in your blood, but not T3. A diagnosis can be made based on these 2 hormones alone.
Prostate
The test measures levels of PSA (prostate specific antigen), a protein produced by the prostate gland (which sits underneath the bladder in men). PSA is mainly released in semen and helps to ease the path for sperm so they can fertilise an egg.

A small amount of PSA is present in the blood of men with healthy prostates.

High levels of PSA could be due to enlargement or disease of the prostate, including prostatitis (inflammation of the gland), benign prostatic hypertrophy (enlargement of the prostate) and prostate cancer. It can also be high if you have recently ejaculated, had any trauma or stimulation of the prostate, or vigorously exercised just before taking the blood test.

PSA levels are often used to screen for cancer, but because so many other non-cancerous conditions can give you a high PSA, an abnormal result will not tell you whether you have prostate cancer or not.

As part of the ED test kit, this test for PSA levels is usually only recommended for men who have symptoms like:

  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Recent change in the flow of urine
  • Slow to start when urinating
  • Dribbling after you have finished urinating
  • Passing urine more often at night

If you get a high PSA result, you should speak to your GP as soon as possible. They may decide to either repeat the test, or refer you to a specialist to determine the cause of your abnormal blood result. If you get a normal result but have symptoms which might be caused by prostate disease, or are at high risk of prostate cancer (for example because a close family member has had it), you should speak to your GP anyway because of a small chance of the test not picking up early disease.

 

Special Instructions

 
Prepare for your Erectile Dysfunction Blood Test by following these instructions. Please take your sample before 10am. Avoid fatty foods for 8 hours before your test, you do not need to fast. Avoid taking your sample from a finger used to apply hormone gels/pessaries/patches in the past 4 weeks. Use gloves to apply these. Do not take biotin supplements for 2 days before this test, discuss this with your doctor if it is prescribed.

 

 
 

 

 

How it works

 

  • Place an order and get your test delivered to your door (delivery is free)
  • Take your sample by following the instructions included with the test
  • Send your samples (freepost) back to our UK-based, accredited laboratory
  • Once your results are received, they will be processed in our laboratory
  • One of our doctors will then view your results and prepare a report
  • You will receive your report through our online portal in your account

IMPORTANT

Post your blood sample on the same day as testing to prevent your blood from being heamolysed which will result in re-testing.
 
 

 
 

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Take your test

Receive & take your chosen blood or healthcare test in the comfort of your own home.

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Post your sample

Send your sample back to us in the freepost pack to our UK based laboratory.

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Get your results

View your results with our Doctor’s advice on your personal online dashboard.

 
 

 
 

IMPORTANT

Our tests are not a substitute for seeing your doctor, especially if you are suffering symptoms. Our healthcare professionals will interpret your results based on the information you have provided, but will not diagnose, consult or provide any treatment. You will be advised to see your doctor for any necessary follow-up action.

 
 


 
 

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