How To Check Hormone Levels

March 7, 2024

Your hormones play an important role in your health, acting as messengers in the body to regulate function, metabolism, growth, fertility, and more. Understanding and monitoring your hormone levels is crucial for identifying potential medical conditions and maintaining wellness. Hormone levels are often checked by using a blood test, but there are several types of tests that serve different purposes.

In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about how to check hormone levels.

Purpose of a Hormone Test

A hormone test is used to assess a variety of hormones in your body. Monitoring hormone levels can help diagnose a wide range of health conditions, including thyroid disorders, hormonal imbalances, and fertility issues. The results of a hormone test can provide a more accurate picture of the root health issue causing symptoms and lead to specific treatment for resolving the issue.

How To Check Hormone Levels: Types of Hormone Tests

There are several types of hormone tests available, which can include:

Blood Hormone Tests
A blood test will measure the hormone levels in your blood and are one of the more popular tests to conduct. Some of the most common blood tests for hormones are used to identify levels of your thyroid hormones, testosterone levels, estrogen and progesterone levels, and cortisol levels.
Endocrine Stimulation Tests
This type of test involves administering substances that stimulate specific glands to release hormones, which can help provide a diagnosis for hormonal disorders.
Saliva Hormone Tests
Saliva tests are best used for evaluating hormone levels that fluctuate throughout the day. This often includes cortisol levels and sex hormones.
Fertility Hormone Tests
Fertility hormone tests evaluate hormones related to fertility. This often includes the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).
Specialized Hormone Tests
These tests focus on very specific hormones, such as insulin or growth hormones.
Home Hormone Testing Kits
These testing kits enable you to collect samples at home and then send the kit to a lab for analysis.
Urine Hormone Tests
Urine tests are used to measure hormone metabolites, providing insight into your hormone production and excretion.

Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance

If you notice any of the below symptoms, the issue could be a hormonal imbalance involving the thyroid hormone, pituitary gland, menstrual cycle, thyroid gland, male sex hormones, or female sex hormones. Working with a Hormone Specialist can help to identify the specific hormones that are out of balance and resolve the issue. A hormone specialist will order a hormone imbalance test to accurately measure your hormone levels, identifying any irregularities and providing you with the best treatment options based on the test results and symptoms.

Infertility
Miscarriage
Irregular periods
Erectile dysfunction
Low sex drive
Difficulty sleeping
Mood swings
Muscle loss
Hair loss or thinning
Fatigue
Memory loss
Changes in appetite
Unexplained changes in weight
Bloating and abdominal discomfort
Changes in the appearance of your skin

Everyone has different symptoms, making it important to receive help from an expert to determine the root cause and receive treatment.

Underlying Medical Conditions That Hormone Testing Can Reveal

Hormone testing, in addition to symptoms and medical history, can help identify a wide variety of health conditions, including (but not limited to):

Hypothyroidism
Hyperthyroidism
Adrenal Disorders (including Cushing’s disease or Addison’s disease)
Growth Hormone Deficiency
Diabetes
Menopause
Low Testosterone
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Fertility Issues
Puberty Delays

Benefits of Hormone Testing

Hormone testing can lead to hormonal regulation, which is essential for normal growth and development. By receiving a hormone test, you can receive hormonal regulation treatment specific to your needs, which can provide the below benefits:

Reduces menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and vaginal dryness
Improves bone density and reduces the risk of osteoporosis
Can help with fertility
Enhances cognitive function and memory
Supports cardiovascular health
Regulates metabolism of fat tissue
Balances the endocrine system (including endocrine glands and adrenal glands), which regulates various bodily functions through the secretion of hormones
Improves skin elasticity and reduces signs of aging
Helps maintain a healthy body composition and muscle mass
Improves sexual function
Prevents and manages hormone disorders (if present) within the body
Individualized treatment plans can be tailored to a person’s specific hormone needs

How Should I Prepare for a Hormone Test?

If you see a hormone specialist for treatment, follow the instructions they provide prior to testing. This might include discontinuing certain medications or fasting.

Are Hormone Tests Painful?

No, hormone tests are not painful. They typically include either a simple blood draw or a urine or saliva sample.

When is the Best Time To Schedule a Hormone Test?

The best time to schedule a hormone test is during the morning. This is because many hormone levels are the highest during the morning hours and then naturally fluctuate throughout the day.

How Long Does It Take To Get Hormone Test Results?

Most hormone tests results, including a hormone blood test, are available within a few days to a week. Your hormone specialist will notify you with the results and provide you with next steps for treatment.

Do Insurance Plans Cover Hormone Testing?

Insurance coverage for hormone tests will depend on your specific healthcare plan and the specific need for the test.

Hormone Regulation at National Wellness Group

National Wellness Group specializes in hormone regulation treatment, helping patients achieve peak health and optimal vitality. As a value-based clinic (rather than volume-based), we provide individualized care and natural treatments that work in harmony with your body.

During your first appointment, we will provide you with a comprehensive evaluation to assess your current health and discuss any symptoms you are experiencing. Dr. Yuabova begins by learning about your current symptoms, lifestyle, life circumstances, and medical history. She then performs hormone testing to identify your imbalances. While she often uses a blood sample, some hormone tests require saliva or urine samples.

Once the root cause of your hormonal imbalance is identified, Dr. Yuabova will provide you with hormones and other substances that increase or decrease the production of specific hormones.

Dr. Yuabova also combines functional medicine with quantum energy and quantum diagnostics, turning them into healing energies to restore hormonal balance within your body.