Individual hormone tests

Individual hormone tests can help diagnose a health condition and provide information on how well your body is responding to a medication to inform your doctor's decision. You can book an appointment at Medical Express Clinic for individual hormone testing.

Changes in your hormone levels can cause several health issues and psychological changes, so we offer a wide range of individual hormone tests. These tests can help your doctor make the right diagnosis and offer reassurance for some symptoms.

We provide fast and accurate results and also offer referrals to endocrinology specialists or consultations with one of our experienced doctors.

Some individual hormone tests we offer include:

• AMH (Anti-mullerian hormone) – AMH controls follicle levels in the ovaries and is an accurate predictor of menopause.
• FSH (Follicle stimulating hormone) – FSH stimulates ovarian follicle growth and sperm production.
• LH (Luteinising hormone) – LH triggers ovulation and testosterone production.
• Oestradiol/Oestrogen – It controls female reproductive hormone levels.
• Progesterone – It prepares the uterine lining for egg implantation and prepares the breast for milk production.
• Testosterone – It controls the levels of the male reproductive hormone.
• SHBG – It affects the transportation of sex hormones throughout the body.
• DHEA sulphate – It contributes to sex hormone production.
• Prolactin – Prolactin stimulates breast milk production.

What does the hormone test check for?

Hormone imbalance can cause a wide range of symptoms, and a hormone test will check for the hormone that isn't balanced. Depending on the imbalanced hormone, symptoms may include memory problems, sudden weight gain, and the following.

• Hair loss
• Sleep problems and fatigue
• Depression, anxiety, and mood swings
• Hot flashes or night sweats
• Decline in sex drive
• Infertility

A hormone imbalance may cause premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and vaginal dryness in some women. Ensure you consult your GP if you are concerned about your symptoms. Your GP can refer you to get a blood test for hormone imbalance.

When should I get tested?

You should have a hormone test if you have an existing condition that requires monitoring to ensure the dose and effectiveness of your medication. Your doctor will advise you on the necessary tests and what you should know. You may experience specific hormone-related symptoms, or your doctor may recommend the test as a routine health check.

Signs of hormone imbalance in women

A hormone imbalance in women may cause irregular or heavy periods. Irregular periods include a stopped period, missed periods, and frequent periods. Other symptoms are:

• Hair changes which include hair loss and hirsutism (excessive hair on the face, chin, or other body parts)
• Night sweats
• Headaches
• Pain during sex
• Vaginal atrophy or dryness
• Skin changes include skin tags, acne on the upper back, chest, or face, and skin darkening, particularly under the breasts, the groin, and along the neck creases.

Signs of hormone imbalance in men

Hormone imbalance in men can cause the following symptoms.

• Hot flashes
• Reduced hair growth on the body and face
• Erectile dysfunction
• Concentration problems
• Breast problems such as tender breasts and gynaecomastia (swelling of breast tissues, making the breasts larger than normal)
• Loss of muscle mass and bone density– a decrease in bone density, known as brittle bones or osteoporosis

Hormone test procedure

Before your hormone test, inform your doctor of any supplements or medications you are taking. This will include hormone therapy and birth control pills, as they can affect your test results.

Our experienced nurse will take your blood sample using a hypodermic needle inserted into a vein in your arm. They will send your blood sample to our specialist laboratory for analysis. A blood test can detect most hormones, including:

• Thyroid hormones – regulate metabolism
• Testosterone – male sex hormone
• Oestrogen – female sex hormone
• Cortisol – released in response to stress

Hormone test results

Hormone issues are usually complex, so you need a doctor's request or a consultation with one of our experienced private GPs. If you are taking your results to the requesting doctor, we can email them to your doctor. Patients who consult our doctor will receive a follow-up call to discuss the results and further tests, and then we will email the results.