---
title: "Which blood tests check for causes of low libido?"
type: symptom
url: "https://www.test-well.com/symptoms/low-libido"
symptom: Low libido
aliases:
  - low sex drive
  - loss of libido blood test
  - no sex drive
reviewed_at: 2026-09-06
review_status: reviewed
date_published: 2026-09-05
lab_fee_usd: 6
---

# Which blood tests check for causes of low libido?

> Low sex drive is often hormonal and often testable: total and free testosterone (in men and women), SHBG, estradiol, prolactin and thyroid function are the standard set. A high prolactin or an underactive thyroid can suppress libido on its own, and low free testosterone is the most common finding in men.


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

- Low libido with headaches and vision changes, or milky nipple discharge — see a clinician (pituitary evaluation)
- New erectile dysfunction with chest pain or leg pain when walking — cardiovascular evaluation

## Why these tests for low libido?

Testosterone drives libido in both sexes; free testosterone matters more than total because SHBG binds most of it. Prolactin excess suppresses sex hormones and is easy to miss without testing. Thyroid dysfunction, depression, medications (notably antidepressants) and relationship factors are the other common contributors.

## Which conditions do these tests help evaluate?

- [Low Libido](https://www.test-well.com/conditions/low-libido) — Sex hormones, thyroid and metabolic markers that influence sex drive.
- [Low Testosterone](https://www.test-well.com/conditions/low-testosterone) — Total + free testosterone, SHBG and related hormones for men's hormonal health.
- [Perimenopause](https://www.test-well.com/conditions/perimenopause) — Estradiol, FSH, LH and thyroid to make sense of changing cycles and symptoms.

## Which tests, and what do they cost?

| Test or panel | Type | Price | All-in (one item + $6 fee) | Fasting | Results |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [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 |
| [Women's Hormone Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/womens-hormone-panel) | Panel (11 tests) | $239.99 | $245.99 | No | 3–5 business days |
| [Erectile Dysfunction Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/erectile-dysfunction-panel) | Panel (7 tests) | $114.99 | $120.99 | Yes | 2–5 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 |
| [Estradiol (E2)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/estradiol) | Test | $35.99 | $41.99 | No | 1–3 business days |
| [Prolactin](https://www.test-well.com/tests/prolactin) | Test | $39.99 | $45.99 | No | 2–4 business days |
| [TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/tsh) | Test | $26.99 | $32.99 | No | 1–3 business days |
| [DHEA-Sulfate](https://www.test-well.com/tests/dhea-sulfate) | Test | $32.99 | $38.99 | No | 1–3 business days |

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

## Common questions

### When should testosterone be drawn?

Between 7 and 10 a.m., when levels peak. A single low value is usually confirmed with a second morning draw before any diagnosis.

### Do women need testosterone tested for low libido?

It's part of the workup. Women's levels are much lower than men's, so the test should be run by a method sensitive at low concentrations, as TestWell's is.

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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/low-libido
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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.