Test ID: SB-642 | Sample Type: Saliva + Dried Blood Spot | Technology: LC-MS/MS | Results Time: 3–5 Working Days After Laboratory Receives Sample | Laboratory: ZRT Laboratory – CLIA Certified | Hormone Specialist Doctor Interpretation: Included | Suitable For: Adults and Children | Collect Sample At Home: No Clinic Visit Required
What Does This Test Measure?
Saliva — 4-Point Cortisol Profile: Morning, Noon, Evening, and Night Cortisol.
Blood Spot — Full Thyroid Panel: TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Total T4, TPO Antibodies, Thyroglobulin Antibodies.
Blood Spot — CardioMetabolic Panel: Fasting Insulin, HbA1c, HDL Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Total Cholesterol, hsCRP.
18 markers total — a clinically complete picture of thyroid function including autoimmune markers, cardiometabolic risk, and the full daily cortisol rhythm in a single at-home kit.
Related Symptoms
Persistent fatigue, unexplained weight gain, brain fog, low mood, cold intolerance, hair thinning, low libido, erectile dysfunction, poor exercise recovery, elevated cholesterol or triglycerides on previous testing, blood sugar crashes, sugar cravings, chronic stress, burnout, or insomnia.
Who Should Consider This Test?
- Persistent fatigue or exhaustion that does not improve with rest
- Unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing body fat
- Brain fog, poor concentration, or low mood
- Feeling cold, hair thinning, dry skin, or slow metabolism
- Elevated cholesterol, triglycerides, or blood sugar on previous testing
- Sugar cravings, energy crashes, or afternoon slumps
- Insomnia, night waking, or unrefreshing sleep
- Chronic stress or burnout
- Low libido or poor exercise recovery without a full sex hormone assessment
- Diagnosed or suspected Hashimoto's thyroiditis or autoimmune thyroid disease
- On levothyroxine and wanting complete thyroid monitoring alongside cortisol and cardiometabolic markers
- Men wanting targeted thyroid and metabolic assessment without a full sex hormone panel
- Family history of thyroid disease, heart disease, or diabetes
Why This Test Is Particularly Important for Men
- Cortisol is the primary driver of thyroid T3 suppression and cardiometabolic deterioration simultaneously — elevated cortisol at any time point impairs T4-to-T3 conversion, drives insulin resistance, raises triglycerides, suppresses HDL, and elevates hsCRP
- TSH alone misses three critical patterns — cortisol-driven T3 suppression, early thyroid insufficiency, and Hashimoto's autoimmunity; both TPO and Tg antibodies are required as some men have elevated Tg with normal TPO
- Fasting insulin is the earliest detectable marker of insulin resistance — elevated years before HbA1c becomes abnormal, directly linked to visceral fat, aromatase activity, and cardiovascular risk
- The 4-point cortisol profile identifies which phase of the day is driving thyroid suppression and cardiometabolic deterioration — a single cortisol measurement cannot reveal this
- hsCRP is the convergence biomarker of cortisol dysregulation, thyroid dysfunction, and insulin resistance — a stronger independent predictor of cardiovascular events than LDL cholesterol
Not Sure Which Test Is Right for You?
Email us at info@hormonelab.co.uk with your gender, age, symptoms, medications, and any current treatments. We will forward your enquiry to our doctors and respond within 24 hours.
How It Works
- Order your kit — delivered directly to your door
- Collect saliva at four time points (morning before 9am, noon, evening, night) and blood spot via finger-prick
- Post your samples to ZRT Laboratory using the return instructions provided
- Receive your full report by email within 3–5 working days
What You Receive
- All 18 marker results with male-specific reference ranges
- Visual cortisol rhythm chart showing your full four-point daily curve
- Visual charts for the full thyroid panel and all six cardiometabolic markers
- Integrated clinical interpretation of how cortisol rhythm, thyroid function, and cardiometabolic markers interact by a Hormone Specialist PhD Doctor
- Personalised next-step recommendations
- Laboratory fee included — no hidden charges
Why We Use ZRT Laboratory
All testing is performed by ZRT Laboratory — a globally recognised, CLIA-certified diagnostic laboratory founded in 1998 by Dr. David Zava, PhD. ZRT has performed over 11 million tests and is trusted by healthcare professionals in 96+ countries.
- Pioneers of at-home dried blood spot (DBS) and saliva hormone testing
- Advanced LC-MS/MS technology for clinical-grade accuracy
- Qualified for the CDC Hormone Standardization (HoSt) Program
- Personalised reference ranges based on age and sex
Through our partnership with ZRT Laboratory, Hormone Lab UK delivers internationally recognised, research-backed hormone testing to people across the UK and Europe — from the comfort of home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why test thyroid, cortisol, and cardiometabolic markers together?
These systems converge on metabolic and cardiovascular health in men. Cortisol suppresses T3 conversion and drives insulin resistance simultaneously; thyroid insufficiency raises cardiovascular risk; insulin resistance drives visceral fat and inflammatory load. Testing all together identifies root causes that single-system tests miss.
Does this test include sex hormones?
No. This profile focuses on the thyroid, cortisol rhythm, and cardiometabolic panel. For sex hormones and SHBG alongside these markers, see the Male Comprehensive Hormone, Thyroid & CardioMetabolic Profile (SB-646M).
Can I use this test if I am on TRT or levothyroxine?
Yes. This test is particularly valuable for men on TRT or levothyroxine wanting to monitor thyroid function, cortisol rhythm, and cardiometabolic markers. Levothyroxine dosing is most accurate when FT3, FT4, and antibodies are assessed alongside the cortisol that impairs T3 conversion.
What is fasting insulin and why does it matter?
Fasting insulin is the earliest detectable marker of insulin resistance — elevated years before HbA1c or fasting glucose becomes abnormal. Elevated insulin drives visceral fat, raises aromatase activity, and independently increases cardiovascular risk.
Does the price include the laboratory fee?
Yes. The full laboratory analysis fee is included. There are no additional charges. You are only responsible for posting your samples to the laboratory.
How long is the kit valid for?
The kit must be used within 12 months of the purchase date.
