Understanding Hormone Blood Tests: What They Measure and Why
A hormone blood test helps assess hormone levels in your body, detecting imbalances that may impact overall health, energy, and wellness. Forum Health offers hormone blood work to help you optimize hormone function and address symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, and mood changes. Learn how hormone level testing works and where to get tested.
A hormone blood test is a thorough test to assess any hormone imbalances you have going on in your body. Hormones play a vital role in our overall energy, growth, metabolism, reproduction, sex drive, mood, and sleep, and when hormones are “off”, it can cause a myriad of symptoms.
Our endocrine system includes eight major glands throughout the body that affect growth and development, sexual function, mood, energy levels, and metabolism. So if you’re experiencing symptoms of hormonal imbalance, such as weight gain, low energy or low libido, getting a hormone test will determine if there’s a hormone imbalance going on.
The most common hormone imbalances include:
- Thyroid imbalances: hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism
- Insulin resistance
- Estrogen or progesterone imbalances in women
- Testosterone imbalances in men
- Cortisol imbalance
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Who Should Get a Hormone Panel Test?
Men and women who are experiencing symptoms of hormone imbalance, such as fatigue, weight fluctuations, low libido, or mood swings should get tested, as well as those seeking hormone optimization therapy. Patients who are undergoing treatment for thyroid disorders, menopause, low T, fertility issues, or adrenal fatigue should also regularly get checked for their hormone levels.
What Does a Hormone Panel Measure, Exactly?
In order to assess a hormone imbalance, there are key hormone markers that healthcare professionals look for:
- Sex hormones: Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels
- Thyroid hormones: TSH, T3, T4
- Stress hormones: Cortisol and adrenal health
- Insulin and blood sugar regulation
How is a Hormone Blood Test Performed?
A hormone testing panel is a straightforward process that involves a blood draw and analysis. After the blood is drawn, the collection is sent to a laboratory for analysis to detect the precise levels of hormones your doctor requested. Once the results are ready, your doctor will sit down with you to assess any imbalances you may have compared to the normal ranges.
How to Prepare
Prior to the blood test, follow your doctor’s instructions. Some hormone tests require fasting and you may not be able to eat or drink anything other than water for 8-12 hours prior to the test. Time of day and what day specifically will be specified by your doctor depending on what hormones you’re testing for.
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Which blood tests check hormone levels?
There are many different blood tests that check for your hormone levels, including: estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, luteinizing hormone (FH), and more. Your doctor will order a panel for your particular medical history and symptoms.
What does a hormone profile blood test show?
A hormone profile blood test shows the levels of various hormones in the blood, providing vital information about your overall health. This panel can show: any fertility issues, thyroid imbalances, testosterone levels, the prevalence of perimenopause or menopause, and showing whether certain hormones are too high or too low.
What are the five hormone imbalances to be aware of?
The main five hormone imbalances to be aware of are:
- Thyroid imbalances (hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, an underactive or overactive thyroid)
- Testosterone imbalances in men
- Estrogen imbalances in women
- Cortisol imbalances, indicating the stress hormone function
- Insulin imbalances (insulin resistance and diabetes)
What is a full female panel blood test?
A full female panel blood test is a comprehensive analysis designed to assess the main aspects of a woman’s health, primarily focusing on hormone levels. The full blood panel specifications will depend on the lab and the doctor’s order, but it typically consists of measuring: estrogens, progesterone, testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone, prolactin, thyroid hormones, cortisol, and DHEA.
How much does a full hormone panel cost?
Hormone panels range from $20-300, depending on what is ordered, your doctor, and the lab. Many insurance covers hormonal testing, and some do not. Ask your healthcare provider for more information about cost and your options.
Where to Find Hormone Blood Testing Near You
Forum Health offers full, comprehensive hormone blood panels for hormone imbalances for both men and women. With a host of expert hormone specialists, you can easily treat your symptoms and get to the root cause of your hormone imbalances with holistic tools, supplementation, natural hormone therapy, diet, and lifestyle shifts. Contact our team today to set up an appointment to get to the root cause of your symptoms and find relief at one of our Forum Health clinics today.
Blood Hormone Testing is available at these Forum Health clinics
Find a hormone specialist nearby. Our menopause and testosterone replacement specialists are available at these Forum Health clinics near you:
California
Colorado
Florida
Illinois
Michigan
North Carolina
Ohio
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
