---
title: "What blood tests are used for erectile dysfunction?"
type: symptom
url: "https://www.test-well.com/symptoms/erectile-dysfunction"
symptom: Erectile dysfunction
aliases:
  - ED blood test
  - erectile dysfunction hormone test
  - ED causes
reviewed_at: 2026-09-06
review_status: reviewed
date_published: 2026-09-05
lab_fee_usd: 6
---

# What blood tests are used for erectile dysfunction?

> Erectile dysfunction is often the first sign of a vascular or metabolic problem, so the workup checks more than testosterone: total and free testosterone with SHBG, hemoglobin A1c and glucose, a lipid panel, TSH and prolactin. Low testosterone explains a minority of cases; blood-sugar and cholesterol findings are at least as common.


## When should you see a clinician instead of ordering a test?

- An erection lasting more than 4 hours — emergency care
- ED with chest pain, shortness of breath on exertion or leg pain when walking — cardiovascular evaluation soon

## Why these tests for erectile dysfunction?

Erections depend on blood flow and nerves, both damaged by diabetes and atherosclerosis — which is why ED can precede heart disease by years. Testosterone deficiency lowers desire and firmness; high prolactin and thyroid disease are less common but treatable causes. Medications and psychological factors round out the list.

## Which conditions do these tests help evaluate?

- [Erectile Dysfunction](https://www.test-well.com/conditions/erectile-dysfunction) — Testosterone, lipids, glucose and other markers linked to ED.
- [Low Testosterone](https://www.test-well.com/conditions/low-testosterone) — Total + free testosterone, SHBG and related hormones for men's hormonal health.
- [Heart Disease Risk](https://www.test-well.com/conditions/heart-disease-risk) — Lipid panel, ApoB, Lp(a) and hs-CRP for a fuller cardiovascular risk picture.

## Which tests, and what do they cost?

| Test or panel | Type | Price | All-in (one item + $6 fee) | Fasting | Results |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Erectile Dysfunction Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/erectile-dysfunction-panel) | Panel (7 tests) | $114.99 | $120.99 | Yes | 2–5 business days |
| [Men's Hormone Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/mens-hormone-panel) | Panel (7 tests) | $199.99 | $205.99 | No | 3–5 business days |
| [Heart Health Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/heart-health-panel) | Panel (5 tests) | $99.99 | $105.99 | Yes | 3–5 business days |
| [Testosterone, Free & Total](https://www.test-well.com/tests/testosterone-free-and-total) | Test | $54.99 | $60.99 | No | 3–5 business days |
| [SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/shbg-sex-hormone-binding-globulin) | Test | $34.99 | $40.99 | No | 1–3 business days |
| [Hemoglobin A1c](https://www.test-well.com/tests/hemoglobin-a1c) | Test | $21.99 | $27.99 | No | 2–4 business days |
| [Lipid Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/lipid-panel) | Test | $24.99 | $30.99 | Yes | 1–3 business days |
| [TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/tsh) | Test | $26.99 | $32.99 | No | 1–3 business days |
| [Prolactin](https://www.test-well.com/tests/prolactin) | Test | $39.99 | $45.99 | No | 2–4 business days |

Prices are cash-pay; every order adds one $6.00 lab processing fee. Physician authorization included.

## Common questions

### If my testosterone is normal, why test for ED?

Because ED is more often vascular or metabolic than hormonal. A1c and the lipid panel look for the causes that also raise heart-attack risk.

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---

Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD (Medical Reviewer, TestWell); last reviewed 2026-09-06. Review policy: https://www.test-well.com/editorial-policy

Canonical page: https://www.test-well.com/symptoms/erectile-dysfunction
Machine-readable catalog: https://www.test-well.com/api/catalog.json · MCP server: https://www.test-well.com/mcp · Overview for agents: https://www.test-well.com/llms.txt

Prices are cash-pay, in USD, and include physician authorization; every order adds one flat $6 lab processing fee. Educational content is not a diagnosis — discuss results with a clinician.