Female Hormones Test

The purpose of female hormone testing is to:

• Check whether hormone levels are within the normal range
• Diagnose a hormonal imbalance
• Check if hormonal imbalance could be affecting your fertility.
• Check whether a hormonal imbalance may be causing any symptoms such as acne, weight gain or tiredness.
• Track hormone levels and understand how they change over time i.e decrease with age.

What Does It Test For?

Biomarkers:

• FSH (follicle stimulating hormone)
• LH (luteinizing hormone)
• Prolactin
• Oestradiol (E2)

FSH & LH

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), together with Luteinizing Hormone (LH), belongs to the gonadotropin family. FSH and LH regulate and stimulate the growth and function of the gonads (ovaries and testes) synergistically.

• To evaluate fertility issues or the health of your reproductive organs (ovaries)
• To determine whether you have ovulated (released an egg from the ovary)
• To evaluate pituitary function

Prolactin

Prolactin is a hormone made by the pituitary gland, a small gland at the base of the brain

Prolactin causes the breasts to grow and make milk during pregnancy and after birth. Prolactin levels are normally high for pregnant women and new mothers. Levels are normally low for nonpregnant women and for men.

Symptoms of excess prolactin

In women who have not gone through menopause include:

• Irregular periods
• Periods that have stopped completely before the age of 40. This is known as premature menopause.
• Infertility
• Breast tenderness

Women who have gone through menopause may not have symptoms until the condition worsens. Excess prolactin after menopause often causes hypothyroidism. In this condition, the body does not make enough thyroid hormone. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

• Fatigue
• Weight gain
• Muscle pain
• Constipation
• Trouble tolerating cold temperatures

Oestradiol

Oestradiol is an important hormone for the growth and development of the female’s reproductive system such as the linings of the vagina, fallopian tubes and the endometrium. Some other roles of oestradiol in females include:

• Breast development
• Body shape changes
• Bone density regulation
• Fat deposition
• Pregnancy maintenance
• Contraception and hormone replacement therapy
• Bone health
• Cardiovascular health and cognitive function in women

Why Take This Test

Because hormones affect so many bodily systems, hormonal imbalances can result in a wide range of symptoms. You should consider taking this test if you have one or more of the following symptoms:

• Signs of menopause like vaginal dryness, hot flashes, and/or trouble sleeping in people under the age of 40
• Difficulty becoming or staying pregnant
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding including menstrual periods that are longer than usual or bleeding between periods
• Absent or irregular menstrual periods
• Acne
• Abnormal hair growth

How Do I Order My Female Hormones Test?

• Female Hormones blood test requires a small blood sample(finger-prick) and makes checking your thyroid levels privately, fast, affordable, and convenient. All you need to do is collect your sample and send it directly to Tuli accredited lab for analysis. Accurate results will be available within 2 working days of receipt of your sample in the laboratory.

Will I Need To Do Anything To Prepare For The Test?

• Take samples in the morning before 10am as Prolactin levels change throughout the day, but are usually the highest in early morning.
• Certain medications can raise prolactin levels. These include birth control pills, high blood pressure medicine, and antidepressants.
• FSH results can also increase with use of certain drugs, including cimetidine, clomiphene, digitalis, and levodopa.
• Do not take biotin supplements 48hrs before taking the test. Consult your GP, if on prescription before taking this test.
• Avoid taking a finger-prick sample from a finger used to handle hormone-gels or hormone-pessaries in the past 4 weeks.
• Take samples between days 2 and 5 of your period. It can be taken at any time if you are not having periods.
• Results will be available within 2 working days of receipt of the sample in the laboratory.