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Female Hormone Blood Test

Female Hormone Blood Test

£79.00

Our Female Hormone Blood Test measures the levels of female hormones and thyroid hormones in your blood which regulate fertility, mood and energy.
Blood sample 9 biomarkers included Results estimated in 2 working days from sample receipt at lab
Female Hormone Blood Test
Female Hormone Blood Test
Female Hormone Blood Test
Female Hormone Blood Test
Female Hormone Blood Test

Is it for you?

The Female Hormone Blood test can tell you whether a hormonal imbalance or thyroid problem may be causing your symptoms (such as acne, weight gain or tiredness). This test can also uncover whether a hormonal imbalance could be affecting your fertility. This test can allow you to track your hormone levels and understand how they change over time. Tracking your hormone levels over time can also tell you whether your hormone levels are decreasing with age. If you are taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT), this test can tell you whether your hormone levels remain in the normal range.
Terms and conditions apply. Over 18s only.

Buying a test for someone else? Learn how

What's included?

Biomarker profiles

  • Hormones
  • Proteins
  • Thyroid Hormones

Hormones (6 Biomarkers)

Hormones are chemical messengers which travel in your blood and control the way your body works. Hormones control many body functions, from growth and metabolism to reproduction and your sleep cycle.
LH is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. It plays an essential role in male and female fertility. In women, levels of LH peak before ovulation.
Oestradiol is the primary female sex hormone, but it is also an essential hormone for men. It is a type of hormone called an oestrogen that supports a healthy reproductive system and healthy breast tissue and bones.
Testosterone is a hormone important for both men and women that regulates your sex drive (libido), muscle mass, fertility, and mood.
FSH is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. This hormone is essential for producing eggs in women and producing sperm in men. In women, FSH levels peak at ovulation and can increase in menopause.
Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. Its primary purpose is to stimulate milk production after childbirth. But prolactin is known to have over 300 other body functions in both men and women.
Androgens are male sex hormones but are also present in women. Most androgens are bound to proteins which makes them unavailable for our body to use. Measuring FAI estimates the level of androgens in the blood that are 'free' (unbound) so are available for your body to use.

Proteins (1 Biomarker)

Proteins play many diverse roles in our bodies, from maintaining the functioning of cells, a healthy immune system to building our muscles. Protein levels in your blood can tell you many different things about your health, and measuring protein levels can help our doctors interpret your blood results.
Most sex hormones, such as testosterone and oestrogen, bind to SHBG in the blood. When hormones are bound to SHBG, it means our body cannot use them. Measuring levels of SHBG can help to uncover if your hormone levels are right for you.

Thyroid Hormones (2 Biomarkers)

Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that produces thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones control the speed of your metabolism and maintain every function in your body to keep it healthy, from your heartbeat to your body temperature.
Thyroxine (T4) is the major hormone produced by the thyroid gland. It regulates the speed of bodily functions from your heart rate to your metabolism.
TSH is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. This hormone stimulates the thyroid gland to produce the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Measuring TSH can tell you whether your thyroid is functioning normally.

Special instructions

Prepare for your Female Hormone Blood Test by following these instructions. Please take your sample before 10am. Take this test two to five days after the start of your period, ideally on day three. It can be taken any time if you do not have periods. Hormonal contraception can affect this test, taking a break from this and using barrier contraception will give more accurate results. Avoid taking your sample from a finger used to apply hormone gels/pessaries in the past 4 weeks. Use gloves to apply these. Do not take biotin supplements for two days before this test, discuss this with your doctor if it is prescribed.

From the expert

Female hormones are essential for a healthy female reproductive system. Other important functions of female hormones include fertility, mood, and energy. Oestradiol is the main female sex hormone which is a type of oestrogen produced in the ovaries. Other essential female hormones include follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH) and progesterone. Testosterone is a crucial hormone for women because your body uses it to make estrogen. In women, hormone levels change naturally throughout the monthly menstrual cycle. Levels of oestrogen and progesterone can decrease with age and women can experience a rise in FSH and LH levels during menopause.

A hormonal imbalance can lead to unwanted symptoms such as acne, weight gain, mood changes, tiredness, and changes to your menstrual cycle. If your hormone levels are imbalanced for a long time, you could be at higher risk of health problems such as osteoporosis.

Women are much more likely to experience thyroid problems compared to men. A thyroid problem, such as tiredness, can cause similar symptoms to a hormonal imbalance. This blood test also checks that your thyroid is working normally.

Dr Sam Rodgers MBBS, MRCGP
Chief Medical Officer

Why take this test?

  • To find out whether a hormonal imbalance or thyroid problem could be causing your symptoms
  • To check whether your hormone levels are within the normal range
  • To track your hormone levels and understand how they change over time
  • To see whether a hormonal imbalance could be affecting your fertility
  • To learn whether your hormone levels are decreasing with age
  • To monitor your hormone levels whilst taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Hormonal changes in the menstrual cycle

For women who have periods, your female hormone levels control the menstrual cycle. Your cycle length is measured from the day your period starts, to the start of your next period. On average the menstrual cycle lasts for 28 days - but your menstrual cycle can last for anywhere between 21 to 40 days.

A blood test can help you to track the hormonal changes which occur during your menstrual cycle.

female-hormone-check-blood-test

How your hormone levels change throughout your cycle

Day one is the day your period starts. At this point, your female hormone levels are low. An egg begins to develop in one of your ovaries and gradually produces the hormone oestrogen.

Around days 10 – 16, your oestrogen levels are at their highest. A rise in the hormones LH and FSH cause the egg to be released from your ovary. The egg implants itself in your womb and your body begins to produce the hormone progesterone and a smaller amount of oestrogen.

By the end of your cycle (around day 28), an unfertilised egg breaks down, and your hormone levels will fall. This hormonal change causes your period to start, and the menstrual cycle to begin again.

Health conditions and female hormones

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that stops eggs from developing normally in the ovaries. Symptoms of PCOS include:

  • Excessive hair growth
  • Weight gain
  • Irregular or missed periods
  • High levels of the male hormone testosterone

Thyroid problems, such as an overactive or underactive thyroid, can also affect the development of eggs in your ovaries and hence affect your hormone levels.

Testing your hormone levels can help you to understand whether a health problem, such as PCOS or a thyroid problem, is leading to hormonal changes in your body.

female-hormone-check-blood-test

Hormonal changes in the menopause

Menopause causes a change in hormone levels, such as decreased levels of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone. On average, menopause usually occurs between 45 and 55 years of age.

Menopause is a natural change which all women will go through, but it can have a big impact on a woman's sense of wellbeing. Symptoms of menopause include:

  • Hot flushes
  • Mood changes such as depression and anxiety
  • Night sweats
  • Tiredness and fatigue
  • Changes to your menstrual cycle
  • Reduced sex drive
  • Problems with memory and concentration
  • Vaginal dryness and pain

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can reintroduce hormones into your body to treat these symptoms. Most HRT is a combination of oestrogen and progesterone, which you can take by oral tablets, skin patches or gels. If you think you could be transitioning into menopause, a blood test can help identify whether low hormone levels are causing your symptoms. It can also help you to monitor the impact of HRT on your body. You can read more about menopause here and learn about the simple dietary and lifestyle changes that can improve your symptoms.

female-hormone-check-blood-test

Female hormones in men

If men have high levels of female hormones, they can experience unwanted symptoms such as reduced sex drive, loss of muscle and increased body fat. It could lead to the growth of breast tissue called gynecomastia. Men are more likely to experience a fall in oestrogen levels in older age, which can occur along with a fall in testosterone levels. Sometimes this can be called 'male menopause', 'manopause', or andropause. Men may be interested to take our specially designed Male Hormone Blood Test.

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Dr Sam Rodgers - Chief Medical Officer

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Important

Our tests are not a substitute for seeing your doctor, especially if you are suffering symptoms. Our doctors will interpret your results based on the information you have provided, but will not diagnose, consult or provide any treatment. You will be advised to see your doctor for any necessary follow-up action.