Hormone tests for women

Hormone tests are used to measure hormone levels in the body, and this can help diagnose different hormonal imbalances. Some hormone imbalances can affect your mood and fertility, or may provide information on whether you are approaching menopause. Measuring your hormone levels can also be used to track your general health and monitor the effectiveness of hormone replacement therapies (HRT).

Hormones travel through the bloodstream to help regulate important bodily functions, such as growth, metabolism, mood, and reproduction. Hormone tests can be used to check that hormone levels are in the normal range, as imbalances can be a sign of chronic conditions such as thyroid disorders.

There are several female hormones that can be tested with at-home tests. You can test:

• sex hormones, including oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone – these can spot potential imbalances relating to issues such as irregular periods, acne, or fertility issues and are a helpful tool in diagnosing PCOS or the menopause
• thyroid hormones, including triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), which are produced by the thyroid gland and help regulate your metabolism, which can also affect temperature, mood, and other important functions – these tests can help to spot hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid) or hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid)
• adrenal hormones such as cortisol or adrenaline – an imbalance in these hormones could be a sign of adrenal insufficiency (underactive adrenal glands) or Cushing’s syndrome (excessive cortisol production)

Asda Online Doctor offers the following at-home test kits for female hormones:

Female testosterone test kit

This measures the levels of testosterone in the body. It can be used by people who are perimenopausal or postmenopausal, especially if you have symptoms of low testosterone, including a reduced sex drive, fatigue, and headaches.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) test kit

This test measures a number of hormone levels that can help diagnose PCOS, including:

• testosterone
• luteinising hormone (LH)
• sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG)

Measuring these hormones can give a more accurate idea of whether or not you may have PCOS. You’ll still need to speak to a doctor to get a full diagnosis.

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) test kit

This measures the amount of AMH in the blood, which can be used to check how well your ovaries are working and how many eggs are left in your ovaries (ovarian reserve). It’s often used to better understand your fertility, or may be used to check if you’re approaching or have reached menopause.

Menopause test kit

This test measures the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which can be used to help check if you are in menopause or perimenopause. It can be used if you have menopause symptoms and you’re aged 40 to 45.

Thyroid test kit

This looks at the levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and T4 in the blood and is useful for people who have a higher chance of or show symptoms of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Although both men and women can get thyroid diseases, they are more common in women. For example, hyperthyroidism is about 10x more likely in women compared to men.

To use the at-home hormone tests for women provided by Asda Online Doctor, follow the instructions carefully, which are outlined here and also come included with your test kit.

1. Place the test tube in the hole of the tray container, removing the cap.
2. Wash your hands with soap and water.
3. Use an alcohol wipe to clean 1 finger, either the middle or ring finger, and allow it to air dry.
4. Remove 1 lancet and twist, and remove the blue stick.
5. Place the lancet against the side of your finger.
6. Apply pressure to the lancet until it clicks to pierce the skin.
7. Wipe away the first drop of blood with a tissue.
8. Massage your finger to create another drop of blood.
9. Collect the blood into the blood collection pot provided, making sure to fill to the line. You can use another lancet and a different area of your finger if you need to, and spare lancets will come included with the kit.
10. Once filled, close the lid and clean your finger with the wipes provided. Apply a plaster if needed.
11. Place the sample in the prepaid envelope and send it to our partner laboratory as soon as possible.

Some tests recommend that you collect your sample between days 2 and 5 of your menstrual cycle for the most accurate results. You should check the test instructions to find out the best time to take the test. If you do not take it at the right time, your results may be inaccurate.

Some top tips when taking our at-home test kits:

• take your sample close to posting (ideally the same day)* – this makes sure the test arrives at the lab as soon as possible after the sample has been taken, we recommended checking when your local post office or post box will collect it too
• wash your hands in warm water before the test – this will make it easier to get the sample, if your hands are cold you’re more likely to need several lancets
• take a sample from your non-dominant hand – taking a sample from the hand you use least will make it more comfortable for you afterwards
• if you think you’ll struggle or feel faint – make sure to eat and drink before the test, and ask someone to help you

*significant delays in the time between the sample being taken and the lab receiving it may mean they cannot provide a result

There are many reasons that people may consider taking a hormone test, and these can depend on which test you take. Here we look at some of the reasons why you may want to use one of the tests available at Asda Online Doctor.

Thyroid function tests

You may consider taking a thyroid function test if you have 1 or more risk factors or symptoms of thyroid disease.

You may be more at risk of hypothyroidism if you:

• have an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto's disease – this is more common in women, especially between the age of 30 and 50
• have another thyroid condition
• have had radiotherapy or surgery on your neck or thyroid
• are taking treatment for an overactive thyroid
• are iodine deficient, although this is rare
• take certain medications
• have a family history of thyroid conditions

Some common symptoms include feeling extremely tired, putting on weight, feeling cold, low mood, and irregular or heavy periods.

You may be more at risk of hyperthyroidism if you:

• have an autoimmune condition called Graves’ disease
• have lumps on your thyroid
• take certain medications, including amiodarone for an irregular heartbeat

Some common symptoms include anxiety, hyperactivity, nervousness, trouble sleeping, muscle weakness, and persistent thirst.

PCOS test

You may consider a PCOS test if you have:

• irregular periods
• acne
• excessive hair growth
• difficulty losing weight

AMH test

You may consider an AMH test if you:

• are planning for a future pregnancy and are looking for an idea of your current ovarian reserve
• are considering IVF or egg freezing
• have symptoms of PCOS
• have irregular periods

Menopause test

Menopause tests may be considered by people who are:

• 40 to 45 years old
• having symptoms of the menopause or the perimenopause, such as irregular periods, hot flushes, and night sweats
• aged 50 or older and using progesterone-only contraception

In many cases, a doctor can diagnose menopause based on your symptoms so a blood test is not always required. Some women may choose to do a test to learn more about their bodies.

Testosterone test

Testosterone tests are for perimenopausal or postmenopausal women who have symptoms that are caused by naturally decreasing hormone levels, which happen because of menopause and getting older. These symptoms include:

• low sex drive
• fatigue
• headaches
• vaginal dryness

Hormone tests will check whether you have a high, normal, or low level of the hormones you have tested for in your blood at the time of testing. A doctor will interpret your results and let you know what this means and what to do next.

If your levels are abnormally high or low, your doctor can recommend which tests to request from your GP to help determine the underlying cause. It’s important to remember that hormone tests do not give a definitive diagnosis but are used as one of many diagnostic tools to help determine if you have a condition, along with things like your symptoms, risk factors, and medical history.