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Hormone Blood Testing
Hormone testing is performed to evaluate the hormone function for both men and women. Different types of hormone tests include estrogen, progesterone, thyroid, adrenal stress hormones and more.
Private MD Lab Services offers the following hormone blood tests:
Hormone Blood Test
Hormonal bloodwork is performed to evaluate hormone function in both men and women. When your hormones suffer an imbalance, they can result in undesirable symptoms such as:
- Fatigue
- Fast or slow heartbeat
- Unexpected weight loss or weight gain
- Diarrhea or bowel intolerances
- Numbness and tingling of the hands
- Anxiety and depression
- Lipid disorders
- Temperature sensitivities (being too hot or too cold)
- Dry skin and hair
- Extreme thirst
- Irregular body fat distribution
- Darkened skin on the back of the neck or armpits
If you want to know what does hormone blood tests show, check out these hormonal profile tests:
- Male Hormone Panel (Free and Total Testosterone, DHEA-s, DHT, SHBG, PSA, and more)
- Female Hormone Panel (Estrogen, Progesterone, Estradiol, FSH, LH)
- Bodybuilder Panel (Free and Total Testosterone, PSA, IGF-1, Thyroid Profile, and more)
- Thyroid panel (Free and Total T3 & T4, TSH, and more)
- Adrenal Testing (AM and Serum Cortisol, ACTH, DHEA)
- Kidney Disease (Albumin, Calcium, Creatinine, BUN, Total Protein, Renin, and more)
- Comprehensive Wellness Testing (Cholesterol, Creatinine, Ferritin, Iron, Insulin, Hemoglobin and more)
A hormone imbalance blood test are usually comprehensive forms of testing your hormone levels, and can also include a series of biomarkers (shown in each parenthesis), which are specific chemicals or molecules tested in your blood to provide information about your health status.
Getting your hormones regularly tested (at least twice a year) can help you better understand your health and prevent further complications from hormonal imbalances with appropriate treatment.
Table of Contents
- Bodybuilding Test
- Male Hormones
- Female Hormones
- Non Gender Specific
- Thyroid Blood Test
- Skeletal Diseases
- Adrenal Disease
- Kidney Disease
- Other Hormone Disorders
- Wellness
Bodybuilding Test
Fitness and Bodybuilding blood tests are crucial for athletes to have complete knowledge about their health, nutritional status and their body performance, as well as measure their hormone levels. Fitness and bodybuilding tests monitor the concentrations of testosterone and estrogen, which are key hormones for building muscle mass and losing fat. They also measure red blood cells to ensure they have enough oxygen storage for energy production.
Suggested tests for bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts:
- Bodybuilder Testing
- Anabolic Steroid Panel
- Testosterone Testing
- Male Hormone Testing
- Electrolyte Panel
Male Hormones
Men produce hormones in different quantities than women do, and the level of these hormones is what drives male behavior, their physical strength and other factors like reproduction and fertility. These male hormone profile tests examine all relevant male hormones, including testosterone, DHT, and estradiol and provide a full snapshot of your hormonal activity and overall health.
Suggested male hormone blood tests:
Female Hormones
Hormone blood testing can play an important role in understanding women's health. Hormones are essential in maintaining reproductive organs and fertility as they fluctuate during the female monthly cycle. Therefore, these can tell you a lot about what is happening in your body.
As women age, their hormones suffer changes that lead to menopause. Getting your hormones blood levels tested at least yearly can help you determine the need for lifestyle changes to target your menopause symptoms.
The following female blood test list was tailored to target your needs as a woman:
- Female Hormone Testing
- Amenorrhea Profile
- Estradiol, Sensitive
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Testing
- Anti-Aging Testing for Women
Thyroid Blood Test
A thyroid blood test will allow you to screen for health problems that affect the thyroid gland, which sits at the base of your neck just below the larynx. A properly functioning thyroid gland releases hormones that control your metabolism speed (the rate at which you utilize energy) which affects many other important body functions such as heartbeat and temperature regulation.
Suggested tests for thyroid screening:
Skeletal Diseases
Skeletal diseases are characterized by abnormalities in the structure or size of bones, as well as problems with the joints and muscles. These conditions can affect any part of the body. Lifestyle factors such as a deficient diet, lack or excess of exercise, and smoking can also cause skeletal diseases.
Suggested tests for musculoskeletal disease:
Adrenal Disease
Adrenal diseases are conditions that affect the adrenal glands, which are small organs located above each kidney. They play a major role in regulating vital body functions, such as:
- Stress response and adaptation
- Blood sugar control
- Blood pressure regulation
- Reproductive function
- Salt/mineral balance (electrolyte control)
Adrenal disorders can cause high blood pressure, low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia), low blood volume (hypovolemia), nausea, and vomiting.
Suggested adrenal testing:
Kidney Disease
Kidney disease is a condition in which the kidneys cannot filter blood properly, which causes excess fluid and waste to remain in the body. Sometimes, the use of performance enhancing drugs, supplements and excessive physical activity can lead to kidney failure, which can cause health problems such as heart disease and stroke. You may consider having a kidney screen if you experience:
- Fluid retention
- Blood in the urine
- Difficulty urinating or a decreased urination
- Swelling in the feet, ankles, and legs
- Nausea or vomiting
Kidney disease can be acute or chronic, and can be caused by many other factors, including trauma and genetics.
Suggested tests for kidney health:
Other Hormone Disorders
Hormonal diseases are a wide array of disorders that involve overactive, underactive or imbalanced hormone levels. Some of the most common hormonal disorders include diabetes, hypothyroidism and menopause. Some less common disorders, like acromegaly, can also be tested.
Suggested tests:
Wellness
A wellness test helps assess overall health and identify or rule out various conditions. They provide an overview of an individual's health by including lipid profiles, blood sugar level testing, liver and kidney function tests, white blood cell count (WBC) and other biomarkers.
Suggested overall wellness testing:
- Albumin, Serum
- Comprehensive Wellness Testing
- Cortisol, Urinary Free (24 Hour)
- Electrolyte Panel
- Ferritin, Serum
- Fertility Testing
FAQs
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What are hormone blood tests, and why are they important?
Hormone blood tests are medical tests that measure the levels of hormones in a person's blood. These can be important in diagnosing and monitoring a wide range of conditions and diseases that are related to hormone imbalances, such as thyroid disorders, diabetes, infertility, and menopause.
A hormonal profile can also be performed in athletes and bodybuilders to evaluate general health and sports performance. People who are undergoing any form of HRT treatment can also greatly benefit from routine hormone blood testing.
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What types of hormone blood tests are available?
There are many different types of blood tests to check your hormone levels, depending on which hormones are being measured. Some common tests include:- Thyroid function tests: these tests measure the levels of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the blood, which can help diagnose thyroid disorders.
- Fertility hormone tests: these tests measure levels of hormones like follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol to assess a person's fertility.
- Adrenal function tests: these tests measure levels of hormones like cortisol and aldosterone to evaluate adrenal gland function.
- Testosterone tests: these tests measure the levels of testosterone in the blood, which can help diagnose conditions like hypogonadism and monitor hormone replacement therapy.
- Insulin tests: these tests measure the levels of insulin in the blood, which can help diagnose diabetes and other insulin-related conditions.
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How do I prepare for a hormone blood test?
The preparation for a hormone blood test can vary depending on the specific test being done. In general, it's a good idea to follow any instructions given by the lab, such as fasting for a certain amount of time before the test or avoiding certain medications or supplements that could affect hormone levels. You should also let your healthcare provider know if you have any medical conditions or are taking any medications that could affect the results of the test. -
What can hormone blood tests tell me about my health?
Hormone blood tests can provide valuable information about a person's health, including diagnosing and monitoring hormone-related conditions such as thyroid disorders, diabetes, and infertility. They can also help identify imbalances in hormone levels that could be contributing to other health issues, such as mood disorders, weight gain or loss, and sexual dysfunction. -
What are the normal ranges for hormone levels in the blood?
Normal ranges for hormone levels can vary depending on a person's age, sex, and other factors. When you receive your results, you will be able to identify if they are within the reference range (reference ranges will be specified in the report), or if they are abnormal. Make sure to speak to a trusted physician about your hormone blood test results if you find anything outside of the reference range. They will be able to provide you with advice on treatment and further testing. -
How frequently should I get hormone blood tests?
The frequency of hormone testing can vary from individual to individual. Those undergoing hormone replacement therapy might need to test more frequently than those who are perfectly healthy. However, the general recommendation from most healthcare professionals is to get hormone testing at least once a year, and optimally twice a year for healthy individuals. -
How accurate are hormone blood tests?
Hormone blood tests are generally considered to be accurate, but like any medical test, they can sometimes produce false-positive or false-negative results. This is why frequent blood testing is also valuable, as it can help you detect trends and have the most accurate and updated information on your health. -
Can hormone blood tests be done at home, or do I need to visit a doctor or laboratory?
Although you can find hormone blood testing kits for at-home testing, these are usually not very accurate. Getting a blood draw from a professional phlebotomist and your sample processed at a trusted lab is always the best option for accurate results. You do not, however, have to visit a doctor to get your hormones tested. In fact, it is recommended that you visit your doctor once you have your results so you can go over them with your physician.