Female Hormone Blood Test
    Female Hormone Blood Test
    Female Hormone Blood Test
    Female Hormone Blood Test

Female Hormone Blood Test

£79
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Check your levels of key female and thyroid hormones that help regulate fertility, mood, and energy, with our at-home female hormone test.

  • Results estimated in 2 working days
  • Convenient testing options
  • Bespoke doctor’s report
  • Free delivery

How do you want to take your sample?

  • Collect your own finger-prick blood sample at home  
    Free

    We’ll send you everything you need to collect your blood sample from your finger at home.

  • Book a venous draw at a clinic   Venous
    +£35

  • Book a venous draw at home with a nurse Venous
    +£59

  • Self-arrange a professional sample collection Venous
    Free

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Is it for you?

Are you experiencing symptoms such as acne, unexpected weight gain, or fatigue, and want to check if they could be hormone-related? Maybe you want to explore whether a hormone imbalance could be affecting your fertility.

Our at-home hormone test checks whether your hormones are in the normal range for your age and indicates whether your symptoms could be due to a hormone imbalance or thyroid problem. Regular testing lets you monitor your hormone levels and understand how they change over time.

Biomarker table

Hormones

FSH

Learn more
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) is produced in the pituitary gland and is important for women in the production of eggs by the ovaries and for men in the production of sperm. In the first half of the menstrual cycle in women, FSH stimulates the enlargement of follicles within the ovaries. Each of these follicles will help to increase oestradiol levels. One follicle will become dominant and will be released by the ovary (ovulation), after which follicle stimulating hormone levels drop during the second half of the menstrual cycle. In men, FSH acts on the seminiferous tubules of the testicles where they stimulate immature sperm cells to develop into mature sperm.

LH

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Luteinising Hormone (LH) is produced by the pituitary gland and is important for male and female fertility. In women it governs the menstrual cycle, peaking before ovulation. In men it stimulates the production of testosterone.

Oestradiol

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Oestradiol is the strongest of the three oestrogens. It's labelled a female hormone but it's made in both the ovaries and testes. It's responsible for the growth of breast tissue, the female reproductive system, and male sexual function.

In pre-menopausal women, oestradiol levels vary throughout the monthly cycle, peaking just before ovulation. Levels are lowest after menopause when the ovaries stop producing eggs. Low oestradiol levels in women can cause many symptoms associated with the menopause, including hot flushes, night sweats, and changes in mood. It can also increase the risk of osteoporosis (a condition where the bones become less dense).

In men, oestradiol levels tend to increase slightly with age as testosterone levels decline. Too much oestradiol in men can contribute to fertility problems, gynecomastia (enlarged breast tissue), and erectile dysfunction.

Testosterone

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Testosterone is a hormone that causes male characteristics. For men, it helps to regulate sex drive and has a role in controlling bone mass, fat distribution, muscle mass, strength and the production of red blood cells and sperm. Testosterone is produced in the testicles of men and, in much smaller amounts, in the ovaries of women. Testosterone levels in men naturally decline after the age of 30, although lower than normal levels can occur at any age and can cause low libido, erectile dysfunction, difficulty in gaining and maintaining muscle mass and lack of energy. Although women have much lower amounts of testosterone than men, it is important for much the same reasons, playing a role in libido, the distribution of muscle and fat and the formation of red blood cells. All laboratories will slightly differ in the reference ranges they apply because they are based on the population they are testing. The normal range is set so that 95% of men will fall into it. For greater consistency, we use the guidance from the British Society for Sexual Medicine (BSSM) which advises that low testosterone can be diagnosed when testosterone is consistently below the reference range, and that levels below 12 nmol/L could also be considered low, especially in men who also report symptoms of low testosterone or who have low levels of free testosterone.

Free androgen index

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The free androgen index (FAI) is a calculation used to determine the amount of testosterone which is free (unbound) in the bloodstream. Most testosterone is bound to proteins sex hormone binding globulin and albumin and is not available to interact with the body's cells. The FAI is a calculation based on the ratio of testosterone and SHBG and is a measure of the amount of testosterone that is available to act on the body's tissues. The free androgen index is used in women to assess the likelihood of polycystic ovarian syndrome. In men, free testosterone gives a better indication of testosterone status.

Prolactin

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Prolactin is a hormone which is produced in the pituitary gland and plays a role in reproductive health. Its primary purpose is to stimulate milk production after childbirth, and in pregnant and breastfeeding women prolactin levels can soar.

Proteins

SHBG

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SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) is a protein which transports the sex hormones (testosterone, oestrogen and dihydrotestosterone (DHT)) in the blood.Hormones which are bound to SHBG are inactive which means that they are unavailable to your cells. Measuring the level of SHBG in your blood gives important information about your levels of free or unbound hormones which are biologically active and available for use.

Thyroid hormones

TSH

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Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is produced in the pituitary gland in order to regulate the production of thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) by the thyroid gland. If thyroid hormones in the blood are low, then more TSH is produced to stimulate the thyroid gland to produce more of them. If thyroid hormone levels are high, then the pituitary produces less TSH to slow the production of thyroid hormones. If TSH is too high or too low, it normally signifies that there is a problem with the thyroid gland which is causing it to under or over produce thyroid hormones. Sometimes a disorder of the pituitary gland can also cause abnormal TSH levels.

Free thyroxine

Learn more
Thyroxine (T4) is one of two hormones produced by the thyroid gland. It works to speed up the rate of your metabolism. Most T4 is bound to carrier proteins in the blood - it is only the free, or unbound, T4 that is active in the body, which is measured in this test. Free T4 is the less active of the two main thyroid hormones. To have an impact on your cells it needs to convert to the more active T3 when your body needs it.
If you have periods

Tests with LH, FSH, or oestradiol

If you're taking your test to learn more about your fertility, take your test between days 2 and 5 of your menstrual cycle, or ideally day 3. Otherwise, for a general health check or if you're postmenopausal, you can take your test at any time.

In either case, it's important to log the date of your last period, and any other information regarding your periods or menopause status, in your MyMedichecks account right after taking your sample.

If you don't let us know the date of your last period, we'll interpret your result as though you took your test on day 3.

Special instructions

How to prepare for your test

Prepare for your Female Hormone Blood Test by following these instructions. Take your sample between 6am and 10am. Avoid vigorous exercise or sexual activity for 48 hours beforehand – both can raise your prolactin level. Avoid nipple stimulation or heavy meals before taking the test, as these can increase prolactin levels. 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. Avoid taking a finger-prick sample from a finger used to apply hormone gels/pessaries/patches 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. Hormonal contraception can affect the results of this test. Taking a break from this and waiting for your periods to restart before your blood test will give more accurate results. If you take thyroxine, you can take your medication as usual, either before or after your blood test. However, if you take desiccated thyroid extract (DTE) or liothyronine, it's best to take it after you've collected your sample. Please let us know in your supporting information if you take amiodarone or lithium as these can affect your thyroid function results.

Supported by a team of specialist and qualified doctors

Dr Natasha Fernando

Medical Director

Dr Sihame Benmira

Specialist Digital Clinician

Dr Asia Ahmed

Digital Clinician

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FAQs

What are female hormones?

Female hormones are essential for a healthy reproductive system. But they also play a role in many other aspects of women’s health including energy, mood, and metabolism.

Oestradiol (E2) is the main female sex hormone. It’s a type of oestrogen produced in the ovaries. Other female hormones include follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH), and progesterone. These hormones work together to regulate and manage your reproductive health.

Testosterone is also an important hormone for females. Your body uses it to make oestrogen, and it helps maintain bone and muscle mass, energy levels, mood, and libido (sex drive).

Your hormone levels fluctuate naturally throughout your monthly menstrual cycle and change with age. Levels of oestrogen and progesterone typically decrease with age, while levels of FSH and LH increase during perimenopause (the transition phase before menopause) and menopause.

What are the symptoms of a hormone imbalance?

The symptoms of a hormone imbalance depend on the cause and the hormones involved. They can include irregular or absent periods, fertility problems, acne, unexplained weight changes, low energy, and mood changes.

If your hormone levels are imbalanced for a long time, you could be at higher risk of health problems such as osteoporosis.

What causes a hormone imbalance?

Hormone imbalances have many potential causes — from chronic stress and menopause to conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and thyroid disorders.

Checking in on your hormones with a blood test can help you explore the cause of unwanted symptoms and potential fertility issues.

What is a hormone imbalance?

A hormone imbalance occurs when your levels of one or more hormones are too high or too low. As hormones work together in a complex network, if one of your hormone levels is outside the normal range, it can affect other hormones in your body. This can impact your physical, mental, emotional, and reproductive health.

What can a female hormone test tell me about my fertility?

If you’re currently trying to get pregnant, or thinking about having children, female hormone testing can give you insights into your fertility. By measuring your reproductive hormones, our test can indicate whether your hormone levels can support a healthy pregnancy.

A female hormone check can also help identify conditions that could impact your fertility such as PCOS, which can affect the growth and release of eggs from your ovaries (ovulation), and thyroid disorders, which can also make it more difficult to conceive.

Need more help finding the right fertility test for you? Our Fertility Blood Test Buying Guide gives advice on choosing the right test at each stage of your fertility journey.

Can a female hormone level test tell me if I’m menopausal?

Our hormone test for females can't diagnose menopause, but depending on the stage of your transition, your LH and FSH levels can sometimes show if this is likely.

If you’re aged between 45 and 55, menopause is usually diagnosed based on symptoms, which could include hot flushes, night sweats, and mood changes.

However, a blood test is useful to support a diagnosis of menopause when there is uncertainty, or when symptoms have developed earlier than expected. For example, if you're under 45 and suspect you're going through early menopause, this test can help you check if this is likely.

Why does this hormone test for women include testosterone?

Despite being thought of as a male hormone, testosterone plays an important role in female health too. Testosterone levels decrease along with other hormones such as oestrogen when a woman transitions toward menopause. This can contribute to a range of symptoms including low mood, fatigue, and reduced sex drive.

On the other hand, higher-than-normal levels of testosterone in women can be an indication of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) — a common condition that can prevent ovulation.

How can I improve a hormone imbalance?

Simple diet and lifestyle changes can positively influence your hormone balance. These include eating a nutritious, hormone-balancing diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, managing stress, and getting plenty of good quality sleep can also help keep your hormone levels healthy.

In some cases, you may need medical help to treat a hormone imbalance. This may involve addressing an underlying health issue like a thyroid condition, adjusting medications, or your doctor may recommend hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Can I take a female hormone test at home?

Yes, you can take our female hormone test at home with our easy, finger-prick test kit. This includes everything you need including clear instructions and a pre-paid return envelope for your sample.

How are my female hormone blood test results explained?

Our Female Hormone Blood Test includes a full lab analysis of your blood sample and a doctor’s report, with comments and advice on any next steps. You can view your results on your online MyMedichecks dashboard and use our tracker function to monitor your hormone levels over time with regular testing.

Limitations of the test

Read before you order:

Your hormone levels naturally fluctuate throughout your menstrual cycle, so although your results can give you a snapshot of your hormone levels, regular testing will give you a more accurate picture.

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