Description
Whether you're experiencing fatigue, mood swings, or changes in libido, the Sex & Energy Panel offers a thorough assessment to help you understand your body's needs and work towards optimal health.
This panel includes the following test:
Complete Blood Count
Cortisol AM
Estradiol
Ferritin
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)
Free T3
Free T4
Progestrone
Testosterone Free & total
Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPO)
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
Vitamin B12
Fasting not required.
Additional information about each test is listed below:
A complete blood count (CBC) can show some basic indicators related to energy levels, and while it doesn't directly measure sexual function, there are sex-based differences in certain blood parameters that could be observed on a CBC, particularly related to red blood cell count and hemoglobin levels, which are important for oxygen carrying capacity and can impact energy levels; meaning, a significant deviation from normal ranges on a CBC could be a sign to explore further with a healthcare professional if you're experiencing fatigue or concerns about your energy levels related to sex.
When it comes to sex and energy, cortisol, a stress hormone, generally decreases during sexual activity, meaning that engaging in sex can help lower cortisol levels and potentially boost energy by reducing the body's stress response; this is due to the release of other hormones like oxytocin and endorphins during sexual arousal and orgasm.
Estradiol, a primary female sex hormone, plays a significant role in sexual desire and energy levels by influencing vaginal lubrication, blood flow to the genitals, and overall mood, potentially leading to increased sexual satisfaction and a feeling of higher energy, particularly around ovulation when estradiol levels peak; declining levels during menopause can result in decreased libido and reduced energy due to vaginal dryness and other symptoms.
A low ferritin level, which indicates iron deficiency, can significantly impact energy levels and sexual function in both men and women, as iron is crucial for various bodily functions including hormone production and neurotransmitter synthesis, leading to potential symptoms like fatigue, low libido, and erectile dysfunction when deficient; therefore, maintaining optimal ferritin levels is important for overall health and sexual wellbeing.
FSH and LH, the follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone respectively, play a crucial role in sexual function and energy levels by regulating the production of sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen, which directly impact libido, arousal, and overall vitality in both men and women; essentially, healthy levels of FSH and LH are necessary for normal sexual desire and energy levels.
Free T3, a thyroid hormone, plays a significant role in regulating energy levels throughout the body, which can directly impact sexual function, meaning that low levels of free T3 can lead to decreased libido and energy levels, potentially affecting sexual activity in both men and women; therefore, maintaining optimal free T3 levels is important for healthy sexual function.
When it comes to sex and energy, "free T4" (free thyroxine) plays a significant role as it is a crucial hormone regulating metabolism and energy levels in the body, meaning low levels of free T4 can lead to fatigue, impacting sexual desire and function, particularly in women, due to hormonal imbalances associated with an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).
Progesterone, a female hormone, can significantly impact both sex drive and energy levels, with higher levels often associated with a decrease in libido and potential feelings of fatigue, particularly during the second half of the menstrual cycle when progesterone naturally rises; while balanced levels are crucial for maintaining a healthy sex drive and stable energy throughout the cycle.
Testosterone is a hormone that plays a role in sexual performance and energy levels. Low testosterone levels can cause fatigue and decreased energy, and can also lead to erectile dysfunction and decreased libido. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can help improve these symptoms in some men and women.
Research indicates that sex plays a significant role in the presence and impact of thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies, with women generally showing a higher prevalence of positive TPO antibodies, potentially due to the influence of sex hormones like estrogen on the immune system, making them more susceptible to autoimmune thyroid conditions like Hashimoto's thyroiditis; this can manifest as fluctuations in energy levels due to thyroid dysfunction depending on the antibody levels.
A person's TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) level can significantly impact their sex drive and energy levels, as both hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone) and hyperthyroidism (high thyroid hormone) can lead to fatigue, mood swings, and decreased sexual desire, ultimately affecting sexual function in both men and women; essentially, an imbalanced TSH can negatively affect one's sex life and overall energy levels.
Vitamin B12 can affect sex drive and energy levels by helping the body convert food into glucose and regulate hormones. A deficiency in B12 can cause fatigue, mood swings, and low libido.
