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Hormones, menopause and men’s health

Guide · Hormones

Hormone testing, menopause and men’s health: what to test and who to trust

Testosterone clinics, menopause and HRT services, perimenopause panels and fertility hormones are the fastest-growing part of private health. What the tests can show, what they cannot, how to tell a clinic from a sales funnel, and what the NHS provides first.

Updated September 2026 · Prices are UK list prices and need verification

Medical warning

This is general information, not medical advice. We are not doctors and this page has not been clinically reviewed. It cannot diagnose, treat or replace a consultation with a qualified clinician. If you are unwell, contact your GP or NHS 111; in an emergency call 999. Some links on this page are affiliate links; see our disclosure. Full medical disclaimer.

Services

Service What UK price Regulated by Notes
NHS GP Menopause and low testosterone assessment; HRT and TRT where indicated Free GMC, CQC First stop. NICE NG23 says menopause can be diagnosed on symptoms over 45 without blood tests
Newson Health Private menopause clinic; HRT £250 to £300 first consult CQC Large, specialist; prescriptions private or via GP
Balance app (Newson) Symptom tracking; information Free n/a Useful for the GP conversation
Medichecks / Forth hormone panels Testosterone, SHBG, oestradiol, FSH/LH, prolactin £49 to £150 UKAS labs Morning sample; interpretation is the hard part
Optimale / Manual / Numan (TRT clinics) Online testosterone assessment and treatment £100 to £200/mo CQC Check for NHS-standard diagnosis: two morning tests plus symptoms
Fertility hormone panels (AMH, FSH) Ovarian reserve estimate £80 to £150 UKAS labs AMH predicts IVF response, not natural fertility
Menopause blood panels (private) FSH, oestradiol, TSH £60 to £120 UKAS labs Often unnecessary over 45; useful under 45 or on contraception
Club-based services (Nuffield, DL Platinum GP) GP access via membership Included CQC A route to a conversation, not a specialist

Prices September 2026. All UK clinics prescribing medicines must be CQC-registered in England (or equivalent); check the register before paying.

Menopause: you may not need a blood test

NICE guidance is clear: in women over 45 with typical symptoms, menopause and perimenopause are diagnosed on symptoms alone and blood tests are not needed. FSH testing is useful under 45, or when hormonal contraception masks the picture. A private panel showing normal oestradiol does not mean you are not perimenopausal; hormones fluctuate daily at this stage. Start with your GP and the Balance app; a private specialist is for when that route stalls.

Testosterone: the diagnosis has a standard

Low testosterone (hypogonadism) is diagnosed on two morning blood tests below the reference range plus symptoms, after excluding sleep, obesity, illness and medication as causes. Many online clinics test once, in the afternoon, and treat borderline results. Ask any clinic whether they follow the British Society for Sexual Medicine guidance; if the answer is vague, walk away. TRT is a lifelong commitment with fertility and cardiovascular considerations that need proper monitoring.

Sorting a clinic from a funnel

CQC registration (or the Scottish, Welsh, NI equivalent) is the minimum. Beyond that: do they require your GP’s involvement or at least encourage it; do they follow NICE or BSSM; do they test twice before treating; do they discuss risks and monitoring in writing; can you stop easily. A clinic that sells the treatment on the first page and the assessment on the second has told you its priorities.

Fertility and AMH

Anti-Mullerian hormone estimates ovarian reserve and predicts response to IVF stimulation. It does not predict your chance of conceiving naturally, and a low result in a woman with regular cycles is not a reason to panic. Private AMH tests are widely sold with that nuance missing. If you are concerned about fertility, the NHS pathway starts with your GP after 12 months of trying (6 months over 35).

Men’s health beyond testosterone

PSA testing for prostate cancer is available on request from 50 on the NHS after a conversation about its limits; it is not a routine screen because it produces many false positives. Erectile dysfunction is a cardiovascular signal and worth raising with a GP before an online pharmacy. Both are better handled by a doctor who can examine you than by a panel.

When to see a GP

  • Menopause symptoms affecting your life at any age; this is a GP conversation first
  • Periods stopping or becoming irregular under 45
  • Any symptoms of low testosterone (fatigue, low libido, erectile problems, low mood) before booking a private clinic
  • Erectile dysfunction; it can be an early cardiovascular sign
  • Trying to conceive for 12 months (6 if over 35)
  • Any private clinic recommending treatment without two morning tests and your history

NHS 111 online or by phone for urgent but non-emergency concerns. 999 for emergencies.

FAQs

Common questions

Do I need a blood test to diagnose menopause?

Usually not if you are over 45 with typical symptoms; NICE says diagnose on symptoms. Tests help under 45 or on hormonal contraception.

Are online testosterone clinics legitimate?

Some are CQC-registered and follow BSSM guidance with two morning tests; others treat a single borderline result. Check the register and ask about their diagnostic standard before paying.

What is a normal testosterone level?

Roughly 8 to 30 nmol/L in men on a morning sample. Below 8 with symptoms usually meets the threshold; 8 to 12 is borderline and needs judgement, not a website.

Can I get HRT privately?

Yes, from CQC-registered menopause clinics such as Newson Health, typically £250 to £300 for a first consultation plus prescription costs. The NHS provides HRT free (prescription charge) via your GP.

Sources

Hormone markers, ranges and timing, marker by marker.

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