Female Hormone Testing
What are hormones?
In simple terms, hormones1 are chemical substances produced by different glands to regulate various bodily functions and processes.
Interestingly, they are also known as chemical messengers. That’s because they carry messages through the bloodstream to different body parts, instructing them what to do when.
Hormones influence nearly everything in the body, including:
Growth and development
Metabolism
Hunger
Mood
Sleep
Reproduction
Female hormones: An overview
In the context of women’s health, we look at a wide range of hormones that are responsible for reproductive health and overall well-being. It includes puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. Let’s understand the key female hormones and their functions in the body.
Estrogen
Ovaries (main source), fat tissue and adrenal glands (small amounts)
Triggers physical changes during puberty such as breast development, pubic hair growth, and onset of menstrual cycle
Regulates menstrual cycle
Controls sexual desire
Influences metabolic function and brain, skin, and bone health
Progesterone
Corpus luteum (after ovulation), placenta (during pregnancy)
Prepares the uterine lining for a fertilized egg
Supports a pregnancy
Helps with breast development
Influences neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) that stabilise mood
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Pituitary gland
Regulates estrogen production
Stimulates follicle development and triggers egg maturation in the ovary
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Pituitary gland
Regulates progesterone production
Triggers release of the egg aka ovulation
Thyroid hormones (T4, T3, TSH)
Thyroid gland (produces T4, T3), Pituitary gland (produces TSH)
Influences FSH and LH production
Controls development of ovarian, uterine, and placental tissues
Supports ovulation, regular menstrual cycles, healthy pregnancy
Prolactin
Pituitary gland
Develops mammary glands
Stimulates milk production during and after pregnancy
Testosterone
Adrenal glands and ovaries
Regulates sexual desire
Maintains cognitive function, muscle mass, and bone strength
What is hormone testing in women?
Hormone testing involves taking blood samples to measure the hormone levels in the body. A comprehensive hormone panel for women includes the following tests:
Estrogen (Estradiol)
Progesterone
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Thyroid hormones (Thyroid-stimulating hormone or TSH, T4, T3, TPOAb)
Prolactin
Testosterone (Total / Free)
DHEAS
If necessary, your doctor may recommend a few more tests along with hormone testing, such as:
Insulin resistance testing (fasting insulin, fasting glucose, HbA1c, HOMA-IR)
Vitamin and mineral tests (iron profile, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D)
Why are hormone tests for women done?
Hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause are normal.
However, the following situations may indicate a possible hormone imbalance in the body:
Hormone levels are consistently higher or lower than the normal range
The balance between two or more hormones is disrupted
The primary purpose of hormone tests is to check the hormone levels and detect hormone imbalances. It can help diagnose health conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), fertility issues, and thyroid disorders.
Who needs to undergo hormone levels tests?
Does everyone need to get a hormone test? Not really—we’ve talked about it in detail in our Fad or Fact section.
Generally, you need hormone testing when you’re experiencing signs of a hormonal problem, such as:
Irregular menstrual cycles
Difficulty getting pregnant
Hirsutism
Acne
Hair loss
Unexplained weight gain or loss
Appetite changes
Vaginal dryness
Hot flashes
How are hormone blood tests performed?
Here is a quick overview of how to prepare for hormone testing, what to expect during the test, and things to remember after testing.
Before the test
Inform your doctor about any prescription or over-the-counter medications, supplements, or therapies you take. They may ask you to temporarily stop taking them before your sample collection to ensure the accuracy of your hormone test results.
Many hormone levels change throughout the month, so it is a good idea to track your menstrual cycle. This information will help your doctor decide the best timing of the test.
You may need to fast for a specific number of hours before the test, but wait for instructions from your doctor on this.
During the test
The doctor or lab technician will insert a needle into a vein in your arm to draw a small amount of blood.
They will transfer the blood to a small test tube.
The blood sample is sent to the lab for further analysis.
The test lasts about five minutes. You may feel a slight sting and momentary discomfort during the test.
After the test
The test has no associated side effects or risks. You may have minor bruising at the spot where the needle was inserted, but it will resolve on its own. So, you generally do not need any at-home care and can return to your usual activities after providing the blood sample.
You can expect to receive the results of hormone tests within a few days.
Your doctor will discuss the results and recommend further course of action.
How much does hormone testing cost?
Hormone testing rates vary depending on where you live, your choice of lab, and the type of tests your doctor orders. Below are the price ranges of individual hormone tests. Remember that you may also find test packages at different rates.
Estrogen test (E2): ₹500 to ₹1,053
Progesterone test: ₹500 to ₹1,310
Follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone test (FSH & LH): ₹540 to ₹2,775
Prolactin test: ₹450 to ₹764
Thyroid function test (TSH, T4, T3): ₹350 to ₹1089
Testosterone test: ₹500 to ₹2695
DHEAS test: ₹989 to ₹2500
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