Suspecting a hormone imbalance…. If so, what and when do we test?

Have you ever been told, "There's no point in testing your hormones because they change all the time"? Or perhaps you've had your hormones tested on a random day of your cycle without recording when, only to find the information challenging to interpret?

While it's true that female hormones fluctuate throughout the cycle, knowing when to test is crucial. A well-timed hormonal blood test can provide valuable and insightful information about your hormonal health.

Experiencing PMS? Or Painful periods?

Testing Oestradiol (E2) and Progesterone during the mid-luteal phase (approximately 6 days after ovulation) is instrumental in identifying any imbalance between these two hormones. Low progesterone levels during this phase may manifest in symptoms of relative estrogen excess, such as premenstrual symptoms like breast tenderness, mood swings, cravings, and painful periods.

It's crucial to note that Progesterone should exclusively be tested during this specific timeframe. This is because progesterone is produced only after ovulation, and its levels remain low during the first half of the menstrual cycle. Testing during the mid-luteal phase provides a more accurate representation of the hormonal balance.

Low libido? Scanty Bleeds? Hot flushes? Weight gain?

Testing baseline E2, FSH and LH on day 2 of the cycle is helpful here, along with a mid-luteal progesterone test.

Suspecting PCOS? Or have jawline acne, and irregular cycles?

A test on day 2 of your cycle is going to tell us the best information. Specifically we would be looking at, LH, FSH, LH/FSH Ratio, Free Androgen Index - Testosterone, Free Testosterone and SHBG, fasting blood glucose and fasting Insulin.

Constant fatigue, heavy periods, hair loss and weight gain?

A mid-luteal E2 and progesterone test is applicable here, and I would also consider testing your thyroid. The thyroid can be taken on any day of the menstrual cycle. However, TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) is often the only marker tested. Unfortunately, TSH is not the only marker we need to assess a thyroid as it can often be “in range” even with a thyroid issue. I use private functional testing labs that for a fee allow us to test your whole thyroid including TSH, hormones T3 and T4, thyroid antibodies and reverse T3.

As a Hormonal Health Naturopath, testing my patients hormones gives me a huge clinical insight into what is going on for them. If you suspect you have a hormone imbalance, or are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned in this article, then a hormone test could be applicable for your treatment. If you would like to test your hormones and want to speak to a Naturopath who can interpret the results effectively, book a free discovery call here to see how I can help.