laboratory workup for erectile dysfunction

by Janet Casperson, BS, MSN, ANP-C

Laboratory investigation of erectile dysfunction includes a urinalysis, to look for the presence of blood, which can be a diagnostic indicator of genitourinary malignancies.

We also test for the presence of glucose. It's abnormal to spill sugar into the urine and this may indicate diabetes or risk for diabetes.

We also look for protein in the urine. Minute amounts of albumin protein in the urine, a condition known as microalbuminuria, can be a diagnostic sign of endothelial dysfunction which has a strong correlation to erectile dysfunction (ED) and cardiovascular disease.

We then do a serum testosterone level on a blood sample. We do a total testosterone as a screening test for the presence of low testosterone. There are a number of testosterone related tests including serum free testosterone, bioavailable testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin. These are all calculative tests which are usually done in experimental fashion and are not applicable to the vast majority of men.

This area of the work-up should also include a basic lipid measurement of HDL, LDL, total cholesterol as well as triglycerides if indicated.

References: See Bibliography

August 2006
Posted August 2008
Updated August 2009