Hormone testing for women
In women, hormones move across the cycle. The same value means something different on day 3 than on day 21. The timing of the draw is therefore as important as the assay itself.
Why the day of your cycle decides the result
FSH, LH and oestradiol are usually drawn on day 2 to 5 of your cycle, counting from the first day of your period. That is the resting point, and the reference ranges are built on it. Progesterone works the other way around: measured around day 21, about a week before your next period, when it peaks.
Draw on an arbitrary day and you get numbers that cannot be compared against the reference. That is not a detail, it makes the result unusable.
If your cycle is irregular, has stopped, or you use hormonal contraception, this works differently. Hormonal contraception suppresses your own production, so you mostly measure the effect of your pill. Worth knowing before you have anything drawn.
Work out when to draw
Message the first day of your last period and what you want to know. Mario will work out which day the draw says most, and schedule around it.
Reachable Monday to Saturday, 08:00 to 18:00. An appointment can usually be scheduled within a few days.
What can be measured
Cycle and fertility
FSH, LH, oestradiol and progesterone, each at their own moment. Prolactin and testosterone belong with it if your symptoms point that way.
Perimenopause
FSH and oestradiol give an indication, but they fluctuate strongly in this phase. One measurement therefore says little. Repeating over time says more, and your symptom pattern often says the most. Be careful with conclusions from a single number.
Thyroid
Thyroid problems are more common in women and overlap heavily with cycle and menopause symptoms: fatigue, weight change, mood swings. TSH, fT4 and fT3 together almost always belong in the picture. See thyroid.
Iron and ferritin
Heavy or prolonged periods slowly deplete the iron store while haemoglobin can still be normal. Ferritin is the value that drops first. See iron and ferritin.
All markers at a glance
Timing per value
| Value | When to draw |
|---|---|
| FSH, LH, oestradiol | Day 2 to 5 of your cycle, in the morning |
| Progesterone | Around day 21, roughly a week before your period |
| Prolactin, testosterone, DHEA-S | Morning, cycle day less critical |
| Cortisol | Before 10:00 |
| TSH, fT4, fT3 | Any time, preferably morning |
| Ferritin, vitamin D, B12 | Any time |
Which package fits
Frequently asked questions
Which day of my cycle should I draw on?
Day 2 to 5 for FSH, LH and oestradiol.
Progesterone is measured around day 21. Count day 1 from the first day of your period. Message your last start date and Mario works it out.
I use the pill. Is hormone testing still useful?
Limited, because your own production is suppressed.
You mostly measure the effect of your contraception. Thyroid, ferritin and vitamin D remain informative regardless.
Can a blood test show that I am in perimenopause?
Not from a single measurement.
FSH and oestradiol fluctuate strongly in this phase. Repeated measurements together with your symptom pattern say more than one number. Discuss it with your GP.
My cycle is irregular. When do I measure?
Then we agree a fixed moment and repeat.
Without a reliable cycle day, a series is more informative than a single draw. Message your situation and we work out what is practical.
Why does ferritin belong here?
Because menstrual blood loss slowly depletes the iron store.
Ferritin drops before haemoglobin does. A normal blood count therefore does not rule out a low store.
Do I need to fast?
Not for the hormones.
You do if glucose, insulin or triglycerides are included. Cortisol and testosterone do require a draw before 10:00.
Note: a blood test gives you insight and direction. It does not prove or rule out a condition on its own. Results are meant for prevention and for tracking change over time, not as a diagnosis. For symptoms or values outside the reference range, see your GP.