Lab Request

Required Lab Values

This list contains every blood value needed for the diagnosis and monitoring of testosterone replacement therapy. Show this page to your GP or your walk-in lab.

Download checklist as PDF

Which blood draw is due?

There are exactly two situations. Please always run the complete panel of the section that applies — nothing is to be selected, nothing left out.

Not on therapy yet

Testosterone deficiency is being investigated for the first time. → Section 1: Initial diagnostics — two blood draws on two different days.

Therapy already running

Routine check-up, or a check-up after a dose or frequency adjustment. → Section 2: Monitoring — one blood draw, always the same panel.

For questions about the analytics, contact the treating physician at info@swiss-trt.ch.

Important for the Blood Draw

• In the morning between 7 and 11 am, fasting — no food for at least 8 hours.
• Initial diagnostics: two blood draws on two different days. The second appointment no earlier than the following day, ideally within two weeks and at the same time of day as the first.
• Ongoing injection therapy: draw blood on the day before the next injection (trough level).
• Not during an acute infection or after a serious illness in the past two weeks — testosterone is temporarily falsely low in that case.

Initial Diagnostics

Before starting therapy · two blood draws on different days

Every parameter listed is mandatory. The boxes are for ticking off only — they do not mean anything should be selected.

Blood draw 1 — complete panel

Hormone status and safety values in one appointment (16 parameters).

Hormone status (7)

✓	Parameter	Note
	Total testosteroneMorning, fasting (repeated at visit 2)	Morning, fasting (repeated at visit 2)
	SHBGSex hormone-binding globulin	Sex hormone-binding globulin
	AlbuminTo calculate free testosterone	To calculate free testosterone
	FSHFollicle-stimulating hormone	Follicle-stimulating hormone
	LHLuteinising hormone	Luteinising hormone
	Estradiol (E2)Oestrogen — baseline value	Oestrogen — baseline value
	ProlactinPituitary screening	Pituitary screening

Safety values (9)

✓	Parameter	Note
	Complete blood countIncl. haematocrit and haemoglobin	Incl. haematocrit and haemoglobin
	PSAFrom age 40 or with risk factors	From age 40 or with risk factors
	Liver valuesAST/GOT, ALT/GPT, GGT	AST/GOT, ALT/GPT, GGT
	Lipid profileCholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides	Cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides
	HbA1c or fasting glucoseDiabetes screening	Diabetes screening
	TSHThyroid function	Thyroid function
	FerritinIron status	Iron status
	CRPInflammation marker	Inflammation marker
	CreatinineKidney function	Kidney function

Blood draw 2 — confirmation measurement

On a different day, in the morning at the same time. These three values only — the safety values are not repeated (3 parameters).

A single testosterone value is not enough for a diagnosis: testosterone varies considerably from day to day. Guidelines therefore require two low measurements on two different mornings.

Confirmation measurement (3)

✓	Parameter	Note
	Total testosteroneSecond measurement on a different day	Second measurement on a different day
	SHBGFor the second free-testosterone calculation	For the second free-testosterone calculation
	AlbuminFor the second free-testosterone calculation	For the second free-testosterone calculation

Total: 16 parameters (visit 1) + 3 parameters (visit 2) · Estimated lab costs: CHF 90–180

Monitoring

During ongoing therapy · one blood draw, always the same panel

Every parameter listed is mandatory. The boxes are for ticking off only — they do not mean anything should be selected.

When is a monitoring check due?

• 4 weeks after starting therapy — and likewise 4 weeks after every change of dose or injection interval.
• Every 3 months after that, for as long as therapy continues — even when values are stable.
• Additionally at any time if new symptoms appear or the treating physician requests it.

Panel for every monitoring check (7)

✓	Parameter	Note
	Total testosterone (trough level)Morning, on the day before the next injection	Morning, on the day before the next injection
	Complete blood countIncl. haematocrit and haemoglobin	Incl. haematocrit and haemoglobin
	Liver valuesAST, ALT, GGT — at every check-up	AST, ALT, GGT — at every check-up
	Estradiol (E2)Oestrogen monitoring under therapy	Oestrogen monitoring under therapy
	PSAFrom age 40 or with risk factors	From age 40 or with risk factors
	Lipid profileCholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides	Cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides
	HbA1c or fasting glucoseMetabolic monitoring	Metabolic monitoring

Guidelines require a lipid profile, liver values and HbA1c at least once a year. Swiss TRT runs them at every check-up as a safety measure — there is therefore no separate annual panel.

7 parameters · Estimated lab costs: CHF 70–130

Note for Doctor and Lab

The analyses listed are required for telemedicine care under a testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) at Swiss TRT. Please run the complete panel of the section that applies to the patient. The boxes are a tick-off aid, not a selection list.

Please send the report directly to the patient — they submit it through their Swiss TRT account. A copy to us is not required.

Treating platform: Swiss TRT (swiss-trt.ch)

Treating physician: Dr. med. Hassan Ramadan, GLN 7601009072222

Questions about the analytics: info@swiss-trt.ch

Where can I have blood drawn?

General practitioner

Costs often covered by basic insurance (after the deductible).

Walk-in lab

E.g. Medbase, Hirslanden, Unilabs, Risch — no appointment needed.

Partner doctor

We can refer you to a doctor near you if needed.

Blood values ready?

As soon as you have your lab results, you can start your treatment with Swiss TRT.

Start treatment