Individual tests

Prolactin is a pituitary gland hormone that causes the breasts to grow and produce milk. If prolactin levels are higher than normal, it often means there is a type of tumor of the pituitary gland. This test is often used to diagnose a prolactinoma, find the cause of a woman's menstrual irregularities and/or infertility, or determine the reason for a man's low sex drive and/or erectile dysfunction.
SHBG is a protein that attaches to sex hormones in your blood. When the SHBG protein binds to sex hormones, your tissues can't use those hormones. Your tissues can only use free sex hormones that aren't attached to SHBG. The test is most often used to gather information about how testosterone is working in the body.
Testosterone is known as a "male" sex hormone, but females have testosterone in smaller amounts. Testosterone causes body hair, muscle growth, and a deepened voice after puberty in males. It controls sex drive, maintains muscle mass, and helps make sperm. In females, testosterone is important for the growth of bones and muscles. A testosterone levels test may help diagnose early or delayed puberty.
Cholesterol is a substance found throughout the body. Your body needs some cholesterol to work properly, but too much will block your arteries and lead to heart disease and stroke.
Triglycerides are a common type of fat that comes from food and consuming extra calories. Your body changes these excess calories into triglycerides and stores them in fat cells. When your body needs energy, it releases triglycerides. Very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol particles carry the triglycerides to your tissues. Having a high level of triglycerides can raise your risk of heart disease.
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