HOW TO TEST YOUR HORMONES

Written By Brigid Batty

Whether you’re experiencing period pain, heavy periods, missing periods, irregular periods, endometriosis, PCOS, infertility, fatigue, acne, weight gain, hair loss, facial hair growth, or anxiety, hormone testing can be incredibly beneficial to help determine what the underlying causes of these conditions may be.

Hormones can be tested via blood and urine. Blood testing is most accessible, and some hormones which are helpful to test include:

  • Estradiol (oestrogen) (best tested on days 2-3 of menstrual cycle)

  • FSH (best tested on days 2-3 of menstrual cycle)

  • LH (best tested on days 2-3 of menstrual cycle)

  • AMH: ovarian reserve/egg count (best tested on days 2-3 of menstrual cycle)

  • Prolactin (days 2-3 of menstrual cycle)

  • Progesterone (best tested 7 days after ovulation is confirmed OR day 21 of a 28 day menstrual cycle)

  • Testosterone (test any day of the menstrual cycle)

  • DHEA-S (test any day of the menstrual cycle)

  • Cortisol (test any day of the menstrual cycle)

  • SHBG (test any day of the menstrual cycle)

  • Thyroid hormones: TSH, T3, T4, thyroid antibodies (test any day of the menstrual cycle)

Remember that day 1 of the menstrual cycle is the first day of the period bleed. Blood tests should be taken first thing in the morning, before food, drink or exercise for the most accurate readings.

If oestrogen metabolism is specifically concerned, then a DUTCH hormone test can be incredibly beneficial. This particular test is incredibly useful in cases of heavy periods, painful periods, endometriosis, adenomyosis, PCOS, weight gain, acne, fatigue, burnout, anxiety and more.

If fertility is concerned, a semen analysis for the male partner involved can also be incredibly insightful.

For the optimal ranges of common blood tests check out our blood test cheat sheet, How to Read Your Own Blood Tests.

Brigid Batty
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