Published: 12 Nov 2024

Typically, you will need to fast for up to 12 hours before your test, so if you have a lot of medications, talk with your doctor about what should be taken the night before, and follow their instructions carefully.
Other common types of blood tests include coagulation factors, which are the proteins and chemicals in your body that can help you clot blood, and various autoimmune and immune-system tests. This is a collection of different tests that measure how your body functions, including glucose, calcium, sodium, potassium, chloride, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). There are a number of common types of blood tests that you can have at your doctor's office or a lab, such as a complete blood count (CBC), or a basic metabolic panel.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which is secreted by the pituitary gland, controls secretion of thyroid hormone in the thyroid. These imbalances have been linked in studies to irregular heartbeat, atherosclerosis, low bone mineral density, and a host of nonspecific symptoms, from fatigue to heat intolerance. Generally, less than two percent of testosterone in the blood is in the free state, which means it is free to circulate in the brain and nervous system. Too much TSH in the blood suggests hypothyroidism, or too little activity. Free testosterone levels can be linked to abdominal obesity, unhealthy bones, heart disease, and depression. In women, high levels of free testosterone might indicate low estrogen levels, or be a cause of excessive unwanted hair growth or polycystic ovarian syndrome.Men produce testosterone in the testes, while women produce it in their ovaries. No question, though, hormone imbalances can wreak havoc with your health and the way you feel. Thyroid imbalances can cause many or no symptoms. The hormone helps to regulate muscle mass, as well as fertility, libido, and one's sense of wellbeing. Hyperthyroidism occurs with increased thyroid activity and lower-than-normal blood levels of TSH. Measuring TSH is considered the best way to measure thyroid function.
Testosterone (free testosterone)
Both men and women produce testosterone and both experience what can be dramatic declines in the hormone as they age.