Bespoke Panel 8 contains every test in Bespoke Panel 7 and adds six: DHEA-S, progesterone, zinc, vitamin B12, folate and ferritin. The additions extend the hormone section to the adrenal glands and the wider steroid pathway, and bring in the iron, vitamin and trace element markers often checked when someone reports tiredness.
What is measured
- Added in this panel: DHEA-S, progesterone, zinc, vitamin B12, folate, ferritin
- Hormones: total and free testosterone, SHBG, oestradiol, LH, FSH, prolactin
- Prostate: total PSA
- Organ function: liver profile; kidney profile with uric acid
- Metabolic and heart: HbA1c, cholesterol profile
- Thyroid: TSH, free T4, free T3
- Also: full blood count, CRP, vitamin D
Useful for
- A wide hormone, nutritional and general health baseline from one sample
- Exploring non-specific symptoms such as fatigue with a clinician, where hormonal and nutritional causes are both being considered
Sample: venous blood before 11am, fasting. Biomarkers: 22 listed tests and test groups. Included: laboratory analysis and a results report with reference ranges; interpretation is optional and priced separately.
Bespoke Panel 8
Added markers
- DHEA-S (measured): adrenal androgen precursor.
- Progesterone (measured): interpreted by sex and, in women, cycle phase.
- Ferritin (measured): iron stores; also an acute-phase protein.
- Vitamin B12 (measured): total serum B12.
- Folate (measured): serum folate, reflecting recent intake.
- Zinc (measured): collected in a trace-element tube.
Core markers
- Total testosterone, SHBG, oestradiol, LH, FSH, prolactin, total PSA (measured); free testosterone (usually calculated from total testosterone, SHBG and albumin).
- Liver profile: usually ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, bilirubin, albumin, total protein (measured) and globulin (calculated).
- Kidney profile: sodium, urea, creatinine, uric acid (measured) and eGFR (calculated); potassium is not included.
- HbA1c, TSH, free T4, free T3, CRP, vitamin D (measured).
- Cholesterol profile: total cholesterol, HDL, triglycerides (measured); LDL (often calculated); non-HDL and total cholesterol to HDL ratio (calculated).
- Full blood count: parameters depend on the laboratory.
The steroid pathway
All steroid hormones are made from cholesterol. Cholesterol becomes pregnenolone, which can be converted to progesterone or to DHEA; DHEA can lead on to testosterone, and testosterone to oestradiol. Measuring several points along this chain helps show which gland a hormone comes from.
DHEA-S is made almost entirely by the adrenal glands and is the most abundant steroid in the blood. It changes little through the day, peaks in early adulthood and then declines. Clinicians mainly measure it when investigating androgen excess, such as excess hair growth in women, or suspected adrenal disorders.
Progesterone is produced by the ovary after ovulation. In men it circulates at low levels, made by the adrenals and testes as an intermediate. Its routine clinical use is mainly in women, where a sample about a week before an expected period can show whether ovulation has occurred.
Iron, vitamins and zinc
Ferritin is the iron storage protein. B12 and folate work together in DNA synthesis, so shortage of either can cause anaemia, and B12 is also needed for nerves. Zinc is a cofactor for enzymes involved in immunity, skin repair and reproduction; severe deficiency is associated with low testosterone.
The core markers
The rest of the panel follows the testosterone feedback loop (LH, FSH and prolactin from the pituitary, with SHBG governing how much testosterone is bound) and checks systems that influence it: thyroid, glucose control, liver, kidneys, inflammation and blood count.
Results are reported with the laboratory's reference ranges, which vary between laboratories and, for many hormones, by age and sex. With this many tests, one value slightly outside its range is likely by chance.
DHEA-S and progesterone
DHEA-S is compared with an age-appropriate range. DHEA supplements and some adrenal conditions raise it; steroid medicines such as prednisolone lower it. In men, progesterone is normally low and rarely changes management. In women it means little without knowing the cycle day and any hormonal contraception or HRT.
Iron, B12, folate and zinc
Low ferritin indicates low iron stores. Because ferritin also rises with inflammation, liver disease and alcohol, a normal value does not always exclude deficiency; NHS laboratory guidance suggests checking transferrin saturation where there is doubt. British Society for Haematology guidance notes that total B12 has an indeterminate zone and should be read with symptoms and the blood count. Folate reflects recent diet. Zinc falls in illness and with low albumin, and rises falsely if a sample is contaminated or haemolysed.
Core markers
For testosterone in men with symptoms, Society for Endocrinology and ACB thresholds apply to morning, fasting samples: below 8 nmol/L twice suggests deficiency; 8 to 12 nmol/L needs careful assessment; above 12 nmol/L makes it unlikely. An HbA1c of 48 mmol/mol or more is consistent with diabetes, and iron deficiency can distort HbA1c. Vitamin D below 25 nmol/L is generally regarded as deficient. eGFR can understate kidney function in muscular people. If PSA is above the laboratory's range, we will advise you to see your GP and, with consent, Juvenology can write to your GP.
Tiredness, low mood, poor concentration and reduced libido have many overlapping causes, including low iron stores, B12 or folate deficiency, thyroid dysfunction, raised glucose, low vitamin D and hormonal changes. This panel brings these into one report to help you and your GP decide what needs following up.
If you have a specific question, a smaller panel may answer it more directly. Juvenology does not prescribe hormones or supplements, and results do not confirm eligibility for any treatment.
May be suitable for
- Men who want testosterone assessed with its regulating hormones and the common nutritional and metabolic causes of fatigue
- Adults wanting a broad baseline who are comfortable discussing borderline results with a clinician
Probably not the right choice if
- a smaller panel would answer your question, such as iron and vitamins or thyroid alone
- you want a female reproductive hormone assessment: these tests need cycle timing, and PSA is not relevant
- you have new or worrying symptoms: contact your GP
- you work night shifts, which alters the morning testosterone peak
DHEA-S falls substantially across adult life and is often promoted in anti-ageing marketing. A low level in an older adult is usually expected for age, trials of DHEA supplementation in older people have produced inconsistent results, and DHEA-S is not a measure of biological age.
B12 deficiency becomes more common with age, partly because of reduced stomach acid and medicines such as metformin. Severe zinc deficiency is linked with low testosterone, but evidence that zinc supplements raise testosterone in people with normal zinc status is limited.
- Before 11am, fasting: water only from the night before; testosterone and zinc are best measured fasting in the morning.
- Meat: none for 12 hours beforehand, as NICE advises for eGFR testing.
- PSA: for 48 hours, avoid ejaculation, anal sex, breathless exercise and cycling (NHS advice); wait 4 to 6 weeks after a urinary infection has cleared.
- Supplements: tell us about iron, B12, folic acid, zinc, DHEA and biotin, which can change results or interfere with immunoassays.
- Medicines: continue prescribed medicines and list them when booking; steroids, hormonal contraception, HRT and testosterone affect hormone results.
- Cycle timing: if you have periods, progesterone is usually measured about seven days before your next expected period.
- Illness: postpone if unwell.
Choose how your sample is taken when you book. We confirm the collection option, any collection fee and the expected turnaround time before you book.
- Juvenology Clinic, Maidstone (82 King Street, Maidstone ME14 1BH): Available.
- Partner collection location, including London: Available on request. We confirm availability for your postcode before you book.
- Postal home finger-prick kit: Not available for this test.
Sample: Venous blood: serum, whole blood (EDTA) and a trace-element tube for zinc (tube types confirmed by the laboratory)
Collection notes: Fasting sample before 11am, when not acutely ill (testosterone, zinc). No meat for 12 hours (eGFR). Avoid ejaculation, vigorous exercise and cycling for 48 hours (PSA). Not suitable for finger-prick collection: zinc needs a trace-element tube and the panel volume exceeds a capillary sample. Women: progesterone is usually timed about 7 days before the next expected period.
The price of this test covers laboratory analysis and the laboratory's results report. The report lists each result beside the laboratory's reference range.
Beyond the blood test: optional support, priced separately
- Personalised written interpretation report: £50
- General consultation: £50
- Results consultation (results discussion and follow-up advice): £100
- Personalised programme: from £150, after we assess whether a programme suits you
Consultations are with Marina, an NMC-registered nurse with an Executive MSc in Longevity from the Geneva College of Longevity Science. She explains what your results show and how they relate to lifestyle. No prescription service is offered with these tests.
If a result suggests you need medical follow-up, we will recommend that you see your GP and, with your consent, can provide a letter to take with you. A blood test cannot rule out every condition. If you have symptoms, speak to your GP or NHS 111, and call 999 in an emergency.
What does Panel 8 add to Panel 7?
DHEA-S, progesterone, zinc, vitamin B12, folate and ferritin. Everything else is the same as Bespoke Panel 7.
Why is progesterone included?
It is part of the steroid pathway in everyone, but in men it is normally low and seldom useful alone. If it is not relevant to you, Bespoke Panel 7 may meet your needs.
Will DHEA-S show whether I should take DHEA?
No. It describes adrenal androgen output compared with people of your age and sex. Discuss any supplement with your GP or pharmacist.
Is this the same as an active B12 test?
No. This is total B12. Active B12 measures only the fraction available to cells and is sometimes used when total B12 is borderline.
Why does zinc need a special tube?
Zinc is present in the environment and some collection equipment, so a trace-element tube avoids contamination. This is one reason the panel needs a venous sample.
Is interpretation included?
The price covers analysis and the laboratory report. You can add a written interpretation report (£50) or a results discussion consultation (£100).
- Jayasena CN, de Silva NL, O'Reilly MW, et al. Standardising the biochemical confirmation of adult male hypogonadism: a joint position statement by the Society for Endocrinology and Association of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine. Annals of Clinical Biochemistry, 2023. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10357891
- Devalia V, Hamilton MS, Molloy AM. Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of cobalamin and folate disorders. British Journal of Haematology, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjh.12959
- Ferritin interpretation: a guide for GPs (non-pregnant adults). Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, 2025. https://www.ruh.nhs.uk/pathology/documents/clinical_guidelines/HAEM_Ferritin_a_guide_for_GPs.pdf
- Thyroid disease: assessment and management (NG145). National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2019. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng145
- Chronic kidney disease: assessment and management (NG203). National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2021. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng203
- PSA test. NHS, 2024. https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/psa-test/
