Hormone test

A hormone test is a type of blood test used to detect hormone imbalances in your body. Hormones are chemicals produced by your body that regulate everything from your sleep to your digestion. 

When your hormones are out of balance, you can develop a variety of symptoms, some of which can be serious. If you think you have a hormone imbalance, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible. 

Common causes of a hormone imbalance include:

• An underlying condition, such as diabetes
• An underactive or overactive thyroid
• Medications
• Stress
• Tumours

Symptoms associated with a hormone imbalance are wide and varied. A hormone test will look for which particular hormones are out of balance. 

Depending on the affected hormone(s), symptoms can include memory problems, sudden weight gain, as well as:

• Anxiety, depression and/or mood swings
• Decline in sex drive
• Fatigue and sleep problems
• Hair loss
• Hot flashes and/or night sweats
• Infertility

In women, a hormone imbalance can also cause vaginal dryness and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Speak to your GP if you’re concerned about symptoms. They can refer you for a blood test to check for a hormone imbalance.

In women, a hormone imbalance can cause heavy or irregular periods; irregular periods include missed periods, frequent periods and a stopped period. Other symptoms include: 

• Hair changes — this includes: 
• Hair loss 
• Hirsutism — excessive hair on your chin, face or other body parts
• Headaches 
• Night sweats
• Pain during sex
• Skin changes — this includes: 
• Acne on your face, chest or upper back
• Skin darkening, particularly along your neck creases, your groin and under your breasts
• Skin tags
• Vaginal dryness or vaginal atrophy

• Concentration problems
• Erectile dysfunction
• Breast problems — this includes: 
• Gynaecomastia — when your breast tissue swells, becoming larger than normal
• Tender breasts
• Hot flashes
• Loss of bone and/or muscle mass — a decrease in bone density is called osteoporosis, also known as brittle bones
• Reduced hair growth on your face and body

Before your hormone test, make sure you tell your doctor about any medications and supplements you're taking. This includes birth control pills and hormone therapy, which can affect your test results. 

A blood sample will be taken by one of our experienced and dedicated nurses. They will use a hypodermic needle, which will be inserted into a vein in your arm. The blood sample is then sent to be analysed in our specialist laboratory. Most hormones can be detected in your blood. These are some examples:

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

It usually takes just a few seconds to a couple of minutes to take the blood sample needed.

Our laboratory will send your results to the doctor who referred you for testing, so they can discuss your diagnosis or the status of your condition. This may take a few days, but we try to get your results back as quickly as possible as less waiting means less worrying.

We can help you plan further treatment if necessary or refer you to another specialist for further investigation and advice, depending on your results.

The main complication with any blood test is minor bruising and discomfort in the area where blood was taken. This usually goes away shortly after.