A practical guide to NHS and private assessment, online access, blood testing and the steps before treatment can be prescribed.
Medically reviewed by Peter Grice, Clinical Lead. Review confirmed 9 October 2026.
About this guide: Written by the Heracles editorial team. Sources and service prices checked on 9 October 2026. General information, not an individual diagnosis or prescribing recommendation.
There are two main routes: an NHS assessment starting with your GP, or an assessment with a private clinician or clinic. Private consultations may be online or in person. Testosterone replacement requires a prescription and a clinical diagnosis; a symptom quiz or paid blood test alone cannot establish that treatment is right for you.
Use the NHS route if you want to explore NHS care. If you prefer private assessment, compare the complete cost and the clinical pathway before choosing. Heracles is a private provider and publishes this guide; the NHS is a valid option, not an inferior clinical standard.
| Question | NHS route | Private route |
|---|---|---|
| Where do I start? | Book a GP appointment and discuss symptoms. | Contact the provider and check its assessment requirements. |
| Who decides about treatment? | The clinician responsible for assessment, with specialist referral where needed. | The responsible prescriber after reviewing results, symptoms and history. |
| How do I pay? | NHS care; prescription charges may apply. | Diagnostic and ongoing fees, bundled or itemised. |
| How long will it take? | Depends on local services and referral availability. | Depends on valid repeat testing and available appointments. |
| Can I use my existing results? | Discuss with your GP or specialist. | Ask the clinic before buying another test. |
| Is treatment guaranteed? | No. | No. |
Tell your GP which symptoms you have, when they started, what medicines you take and whether you are planning children. Fatigue, low mood and sexual symptoms can have causes other than testosterone deficiency. The NHS describes blood testing and possible endocrinology referral when a deficiency is suspected. NHS guidance.
Ask when the sample should be taken and whether a repeat is needed. If you are referred, bring earlier results and a list of your medicines. If results do not explain the symptoms, ask what other assessment would be useful. There is no single UK-wide waiting-time promise or automatic prescribing rule that a clinic comparison can safely apply to every patient.
Examples offering private assessment include Leger Clinic, Manual, Numan, Balance My Hormones, The Men’s Health Clinic and Heracles. These are examples, not a quality ranking. See the dated cost comparison for billing differences.
A clinician should confirm compatible symptoms and consistently low testosterone using properly timed testing. The Endocrine Society recommends repeating a morning, fasting total-testosterone measurement and investigating the cause. Other markers or specialist investigations depend on the pattern and history. Read the clinical guideline.
A low home-screening result is a starting point for further assessment. Ask your clinic which venous samples are needed for confirmation. Do not treat one abnormal result, an online questionnaire or a numerical threshold as an automatic prescription. For sample timing and interpretation, see our testosterone blood-test guide.
Some private providers offer remote assessment and follow-up, with local sample collection or home testing where appropriate. Remote care may still require a venous sample, physical examination or specialist referral. Check the provider’s residence requirements and where it can arrange blood collection before paying. An online consultation is a way to access care, not a waiver of diagnostic requirements.
Ask which part of the assessment led to that decision and what the next steps are. A private second opinion may review the same results, the sample timing and the wider history, but another provider may also advise against treatment. A higher price or a different advertised threshold does not establish that symptoms are caused by low testosterone.
Raise this before starting treatment, even if children are a future possibility. Testosterone replacement can suppress sperm production. The Endocrine Society advises against starting testosterone therapy in men planning fertility in the near term. A clinician may recommend a different assessment or specialist fertility pathway. Adding another medicine does not guarantee fertility preservation.
The Heracles pathway begins with a health assessment and an initial testosterone test at £29.99. A low or borderline result may lead to further testing, including the published £129.99 fuller panel, and a doctor’s review. Additional confirmatory samples may be needed. Testogel plans start at £90/month and injectable care at £130/month if prescribed; hCG is separate and a three-month minimum applies.
Heracles lists scheduled monitoring at six weeks, three, six and 12 months, followed by six-monthly monitoring. Review the full cost breakdown and clinic checklist before choosing your route. You can complete a Heracles health assessment to explore the first step.
A legitimate treatment pathway needs an appropriate clinical assessment and prescription. A product order cannot substitute for diagnosis.
Ask the private clinic about its requirements. Many accept direct enquiries, but existing results, your medical history or a specialist referral may still be needed.
No. Discuss it with your NHS GP and the private clinician before assuming the NHS will take over prescribing or monitoring.
Timing depends on testing, repeat confirmation, clinical review and any further investigation. No provider should guarantee treatment before that assessment.
Send the provider the report, sample date and collection details before purchasing another test. It will decide whether the results meet its diagnostic requirements.
