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What it is?
A hormone profile test for women is a blood test used to detect hormonal imbalances and reveal important information about a woman’s health.
The test can detect fertility problems, and diagnose medical conditions such as thyroid disease, or diabetes. Sometimes, your doctor may even need a test to check the effect of prescribed medications.
A few of the several vital female hormones that the test looks at include:
- Estrogen
- Progesterone
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
- Testosterone/DHEA
- Thyroid hormones.
- Inhibin B.
- Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH), etc.
When should I get a hormone profile test?
You may need to book your hormone test if requested by a doctor, or if you’re showing one of the following signs:
- Fatigue.
- Unexplained weight gain, or weight loss.
- Irregular, or painful menstrual cycle.
- Sensitivity to heat and cold.
- Muscle weakness, tenderness, stiffness, or pain.
- Pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints
- Dry skin, or skin rashes.
- Thinning hair.
- Depression, anxiety, or irritability.
- Unexplained sweating
- Changes in appetite or thirst.
- Headaches.
- Changes in heart rate.
- Changes in frequency of bowel movements.
- Difficulty concentrating, e.t.c.
Note: For women, you must come in on days two and twenty-one of your cycle to complete the test.
What next after my test?
Further investigation might be needed depending on your result and whether or not your doctor is concerned. Thus, it is not uncommon for a doctor to request additional tests, or that you carry out an ultrasound.
Regardless of whatever further testing is requested, please do not fret. In most cases, healthcare providers use hormone test results combined with your medical history and other factors to arrive at a diagnosis.
You should also note that the specific hormone that’s imbalanced determines your diagnosis and possible medical condition. Hence, if your progesterone levels are low during pregnancy, it could signify that you’re at risk of miscarriage or premature labour. On the other hand, low estrogen levels may be a sign of Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and high testosterone could mean steroid abuse, or cancers of the ovaries.
Your doctor is in the best position to translate your result for you and will do so for you.
Treatment for hormonal imbalance
Treatment for hormonal imbalance depends on which hormone exactly is unbalanced as well as the underlying cause of the imbalance. Hence, a lifestyle change may be needed for triggers and causes such as stress and bad diets. However, if you have a genetic disorder that causes a lifelong hormonal imbalance, your treatment may require a more prolonged course of medications or hormone therapy.
Hormone therapies may come in pills, patches, or even injections. Again, your doctor will determine your next step and choose the appropriate treatment and dosage based on your diagnosis.
Next step
To carry out your hormone profile test with us, please walk into any of our health centers near you, or click here to carry out the test as part of your complete body checkup. Call us on 02016291000 or 02016290998, and walk into any of our centers near you for prompt attention.
You may also gift friends and family a health check package from us.