What causes sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is caused by either physical blockage of the airway during sleep (obstructive sleep apnea) or by the brain failing to send proper signals to breathing muscles (central sleep apnea). Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when throat muscles relax excessively, causing the airway to narrow or close during breathing. Risk factors include excess weight, thick neck circumference, narrowed airway, chronic nasal congestion, smoking, and family history.

What is the best test for sleep apnea?

The Testosterone Total Male test is the most important blood test for sleep apnea because elevated testosterone levels can significantly worsen breathing interruptions and sleep quality in men. While sleep apnea itself is diagnosed through sleep studies like polysomnography, measuring testosterone helps identify hormonal factors that contribute to symptom severity. This test is particularly valuable for men with sleep apnea who also experience symptoms like fatigue, mood changes, or reduced libido, as addressing testosterone imbalances can improve overall treatment outcomes.

When should I get tested for sleep apnea?

You should get tested if you experience loud snoring, gasping or choking during sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, or difficulty concentrating. Get tested immediately if your partner notices you stop breathing during sleep or if daytime fatigue interferes with work or driving safety. Men with sleep apnea symptoms should also consider testosterone testing, especially if they have additional symptoms like decreased energy, mood changes, or reduced muscle mass.

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea symptoms include loud snoring, episodes of breathing cessation during sleep witnessed by others, abrupt awakenings with gasping or choking, morning headaches, excessive daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and mood changes. You might also experience dry mouth or sore throat upon waking, night sweats, frequent nighttime urination, and difficulty staying asleep. Many people with sleep apnea are unaware of their breathing interruptions and only learn about them from a bed partner.

Who is at risk for sleep apnea?

Men are at higher risk for sleep apnea than women, particularly those who are overweight or obese, over age 40, have a thick neck circumference, or have a family history of the condition. Additional risk factors include having a naturally narrow airway, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, chronic nasal congestion, diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, and excessive alcohol use. Postmenopausal women also have increased risk, and anatomical features like a recessed chin or deviated septum can contribute to airway obstruction.

What happens if sleep apnea is left untreated?

Untreated sleep apnea leads to serious health complications including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. The repeated oxygen deprivation strains your cardiovascular system and increases risk of irregular heartbeats and heart attacks. You also face higher risk of workplace or driving accidents due to excessive daytime sleepiness, liver problems, cognitive impairment, and worsening of existing conditions. Long-term untreated sleep apnea significantly reduces quality of life and life expectancy.

Can sleep apnea be diagnosed with a blood test?

Sleep apnea cannot be diagnosed with a blood test alone. The condition is diagnosed through sleep studies such as polysomnography or home sleep apnea testing that monitor breathing patterns, oxygen levels, and brain activity during sleep. However, blood tests play an important supportive role by identifying hormonal imbalances like elevated testosterone in men that can worsen sleep apnea symptoms. Blood work helps healthcare providers understand contributing factors and develop comprehensive treatment plans that address both the sleep disorder and underlying hormonal issues.

How is sleep apnea treated?

Sleep apnea treatment typically includes continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, which uses a machine to deliver steady air pressure through a mask to keep airways open during sleep. Other treatments include oral appliances that reposition the jaw, weight loss for overweight patients, positional therapy to avoid sleeping on your back, and addressing hormonal imbalances like elevated testosterone. Severe cases may require surgery to remove tissue or reposition the jaw. Lifestyle modifications like avoiding alcohol before bed, quitting smoking, and treating nasal congestion also help manage symptoms.

How can I prevent sleep apnea?

You can reduce sleep apnea risk by maintaining a healthy weight through regular exercise and balanced nutrition, as excess weight is a primary risk factor. Avoid alcohol and sedatives before bedtime, quit smoking, sleep on your side instead of your back, and keep nasal passages open with saline sprays or allergy treatments if needed. Establish consistent sleep schedules and practice good sleep hygiene. If you have risk factors like a thick neck or family history, regular screening and early intervention can prevent the condition from worsening.

What can I do at home for sleep apnea?

At home, elevate the head of your bed by 4 to 6 inches to reduce airway obstruction, sleep on your side using positional pillows, and avoid alcohol and heavy meals within 3 hours of bedtime. Practice good sleep hygiene with consistent sleep schedules and a cool, dark bedroom. Use nasal strips or saline rinses to improve breathing if you have congestion. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight significantly improve symptoms. However, these home remedies should complement, not replace, medical treatment like CPAP therapy prescribed by your healthcare provider.

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short: In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want. If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test. Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout. If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want. When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system. Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way. You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy! If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

How do I know which test to get?

In the test options, find the test you want. If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option. Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.

When will my lab results be available?

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know. After your blood draw, just hang tight and don't worry – we'll keep you updated and in the loop! If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you.

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you. Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at support@privatemdlabs.com. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update. Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you. There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out. Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.

Do you accept health insurance?

Only HSA & FSA is accepted. Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts. This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

Can I cancel my order?

Yes. We get it – sometimes your needs change. As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order. If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com. You can read more about our cancellation policy here.

How can I find a lab location near me?

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached! You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp). Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Sleep Apnea Blood Test | Private MD Labs

Sleep Apnea Blood Test

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. It is caused by airway obstruction (obstructive sleep apnea) or improper brain signals to breathing muscles (central sleep apnea). The Testosterone Total Male test is the most important test for assessing hormonal factors that can worsen sleep apnea severity.

Written by Private MD Labs Medical Team

Last updated: December 29, 2025

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.

Long story short:

In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!

754-799-7833

support@privatemdlabs.com