Hormonal tests are recommended if you’re having menstrual issues, changes in sex characteristics, fatigue, loss of sex drive or problems getting pregnant.
Here at CT labs we check for oestrogen, progesterone, FSH, testosterone/DHEA and thyroid hormone levels. We offer a comprehensive hormone panel, which means multiple hormones are analysed using the same sample.
But what do these hormones mean?
Estrogen:
- Oestrogen is not a single hormone but is rather a group of three hormone: estrone, estradiol, estriol.
- Estradiol is the major sex hormone responsible for sexual functioning. Estradiol also plays a main role in healthy bones, female characteristics, and other elements of health. Estradiol is primarily produced by the ovaries.
- Estradiol levels vary throughout the menstrual cycle. Estradiol is at its highest at ovulation and lowest at menstruation, and decreases slowly with age. The largest drop occurs at menopause when the ovaries “switch off”.
When To Test For Estrogen:
- You’re having trouble getting pregnant
- Your periods are irregular
- Puberty appears to be delayed, regardless of biological sex
- You’re having menopause symptoms
- You have vaginal bleeding after menopause
- You’re biologically male but displaying female characteristics (such as developing breasts)
Progesterone:
- Progesterone is another important sex hormone that is essential for regulating menstruation and the development of a foetus.
- One of its main functions is to help prepare the uterus to receive a fertilised egg.
Progesterone can give important indications about your health, for example:
- If your progesterone levels are low during pregnancy, it could be a sign that you’re at risk of miscarriage or premature labour.
- High progesterone levels usually do not signal any health problems unless they continue for a long time, in this instance, high levels of progesterone may indicate an increased risk of breast cancer.
- Progesterone testing indicates whether you are ovulating normally.
Follicle Stimulating Hormone:
- Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) is produced by the pituitary gland which is situated in the brain. FSH stimulates the growth of an egg in the ovary to get it ready for fertilisation.
When To Test For FSH?
- Abnormal menstrual bleeding
- Infertility
- Start or perimenopause or menopause
- Ovarian cysts
- Pituitary gland tumours
DHEA/Testosterone Testing:
Testosterone is normally considered as a “male sex hormone”, but it actually plays a vital part in the female hormonal makeup.
Most of a women’s testosterone is produced in the ovaries and adrenal glands and is converted into estradiol with the help of the enzyme called aromatase.
How To Get Tested
We offer a wide range of female hormonal here at CT Clinics.
Simply book online or call us to arrange your clinic based or home visit.
Hormone tests should often be performed as part of regular blood work.
Tests are one step in the process of diagnosing a condition. If the results are concerning, one of our doctors can help consult you on the next best steps.
