Hormone Blood Test (Female)

The panel measures oestradiol, progesterone, FSH, LH, testosterone, SHBG, prolactin, DHEA-S, and thyroid function (TSH). These markers cover menstrual health, fertility, PCOS investigation, perimenopause, and general hormonal balance.

For the most informative results, test on day 2–5 of your menstrual cycle (day 1 is the first day of your period). This is when baseline hormone levels are most stable and FSH, LH, and oestradiol can be accurately compared to reference ranges. If you are investigating progesterone or ovulation, a separate sample on day 21 is ideal.

The panel provides the blood markers used in the Rotterdam diagnostic criteria for PCOS — specifically testosterone, SHBG, LH, and FSH. An elevated LH-to-FSH ratio combined with raised testosterone or low SHBG is a strong indicator. However, PCOS diagnosis also requires clinical assessment and often an ultrasound, so your GP or gynaecologist makes the final diagnosis using these results as evidence.

Yes. FSH and oestradiol levels are the primary blood markers used to assess menopausal transition. Rising FSH and falling oestradiol indicate that the ovaries are producing less oestrogen. The panel also includes thyroid function, which is important because thyroid disorders and perimenopause share overlapping symptoms (fatigue, weight gain, mood changes).

You can, but hormonal contraception (the pill, patch, implant, or hormonal IUD) suppresses your natural hormone production, so results will reflect medicated levels rather than your baseline. If you want to see your natural hormone levels, you would need to be off hormonal contraception for at least one full cycle before testing.