Blood Tests for Erectile Dysfunction

FAQ

1. What is erectile dysfunction?

   Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a condition where a man has trouble getting or keeping an erection. It can be caused by:

   • Stress
   • Anxiety
   • Diabetes
   • Depression
   • Nerve issues
   • Heart problems
   • Certain medications
   • Hormonal imbalances

   For many cases, you can treat your ED by making lifestyle changes like exercising regularly, eating healthily & managing stress. If you get abnormal ED test results, your doctor may prescribe some medications or review other treatment options with you.

2. Why do I need blood tests for erectile dysfunction?

   Blood tests are a great tool to evaluate erectile dysfunction, as they can help identify potential underlying causes and give you valuable information for your specific case. Here are a few reasons why you may need these blood tests:

   • Hormone levels: Testosterone plays a crucial role in sexual function, so it's no surprise that low T can contribute to ED. A blood test can measure testosterone levels and determine if your hormones aren't where they should be.
   • Heart health: ED can be an early warning sign of high blood pressure or atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) in some cases. Blood tests can assess cholesterol levels and inflammation markers to give you insights into your heart he
   • Other conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as kidney disease or liver disease, can contribute to ED. Blood tests can help you detect abnormalities in organ function that may be affecting your sexual performance.

3. What tests are done for erectile dysfunction testing?

   Blood tests can be helpful in evaluating erectile dysfunction (ED) as they can show you more information about your overall health and potential underlying causes. Here are some common blood tests for ED:

   • Hormone levels: As low T can cause erectile dysfunction, hormone testing is important to catch hormonal imbalances. Testing for other hormones like estradiol, SHBG or DHEA may also help to pinpoint a diagnosis.
   • Blood sugar levels: When people with diabetes maintain high blood sugar levels, blood vessels, and nerves can be damaged, leading to ED.
   • Lipid profile: High cholesterol levels can contribute to heart problems that may affect erectile function. A lipid profile can tell you more about your cholesterol and triglyceride levels and help you understand your heart health.
   • Thyroid function: A blood test to assess thyroid hormone levels, like TSH, T4 and T3, is useful to check thyroid function, which can also affect ED.
   • Inflammation markers: Inflammation sustained over long periods of time can contribute to ED and heart issues - blood tests such as C-reactive protein (CRP) can help measure your inflammation levels.

4. How to determine if you have erectile dysfunction?

   To determine if you have erectile dysfunction (ED):

   • Note difficulties in achieving or maintaining an erection, if you are less interested in sex, or if you notice a lack of firmness in the penis.
   • Consider how often you have problems in bed and how much it affects your ability to have sex.
   • Take into account if you have underlying health conditions or take medications that could lead to ED.
   • Get your blood tested to understand the possible causes. These tests can help assess hormone levels, blood sugar levels, inflammation, and other factors that may contribute to ED.

   Taking these elements into account can help you get to the bottom of the problem and get on track to finding the best and most effective treatment option for you. Start with our Between the Sheets (Procreation) Performance Test for Men and discuss your results with a trusted doctor.

5. Who may need a blood test for erectile dysfunction?

   If you're experiencing problems with your sexual performance, it's important that you get tested to find the root cause & treat it before it gets worse. Testing is especially important in the following situations:

   • When the cause of ED is unclear: If the reason for ED is not obvious based on your medical history or examination, a blood test can help find out if there are hormonal imbalances, or underlying causes at play, like low testosterone or diabetes, that may be causing the problem.
   • If you have certain medical conditions: If you have conditions like diabetes, heart problems, high blood pressure, kidney or liver disease, or hormonal issues, a blood test can show how these conditions might be affecting your ability to have erections.
   • When taking medications: Some medications, such as those for blood pressure, depression, allergies, or prostate cancer, can affect erectile function. A blood test can help tell if your medication is contributing to ED.
   • If you have risk factors: a family history of ED, smoking, substance abuse, lack of physical activity, or a history of pelvic surgery or injury increase the risk of having erectile problems. Blood tests can assess your overall health and check for any underlying causes related to these factors.

6. How can erectile dysfunction testing help guide treatment?

   Blood testing can help identify the root causes of ED. Therefore, they can help you and your doctor find the best treatment course for your individual case. Effective treatment for erectile dysfunction may include:

   • Lifestyle changes
   • Medication adjustments
   • TRT or other hormone therapies
   • Addressing other health conditions that affect your sexual performance like diabetes

   Getting your blood tests done and speaking about your results with your trusted doctor is the first step to getting your performance back to its peak. Avoid auto-medicating and make sure you're following the right treatment for your individual case.

7. Do I need to visit a doctor?

   Nope. You don't need a doctor's visit to get a test with us.

8. How do I get my results?

   You'll get your results via email as soon as they are available. We will notify you via SMS as well. You can also see them at any time in the future right in your dashboard where you can easily share them with your professional and compare them side by side with future tests.

9. Does my lab prescription expire?

   We're the only lab that honors your lab order forever.