The analysis on hormones in women

Many systems of the female body depends on the hormone production. Their number changes that affect the skin, hair and health in General. For this reason, when there are deviations or suspected disease the doctor appoints to give blood to determine the level of hormones. When and how is the procedure? The answer in the instructions below.

Why you need a blood test for hormones

Blood tests for hormones

Considered normal hormone disorders before and after childbirth or during menopause, but then the levels of these substances in the body must be kept under control, because even the slightest variance indicate problems in the body. The procedure of sampling for hormones is not included in routine examination and is appointed to check on the patient on the pathology of endocrine system, disease on the part of gynecology, or in other necessary cases:

overweight, that testifies to change of a hormonal background;
failure of menstruation, has no good reasons;
problems with conceiving a child, that is the infertility;
suspicion among pregnant disorders in the fetal development;
acne;
pregnancy planning when you have to prepare for conception;
benign tumors in the breast for example fibrocystic mastopathy;
reduced sexual desire;
miscarriage;
sexual infantilism;
predisposition to hereditary diseases;
deterioration of hair or skin;
jumps in blood pressure;
severe premenstrual syndrome;
disorders of the digestive system;
the presence of a tumor of the ovaries or uterus;
pregnancy;
excessive hairiness on the body.

Delivery of analyzes on hormones

Preparation for blood sampling

Hormones are being secreted by the glands of internal secretion, and then after absorption into the blood, they start to regulate metabolism of nutrients, which include salts and proteins with fats and carbohydrates. After that, they destroy specific enzymes. The continuity of this cycle ensures the continuous functioning of biochemical processes. Analyses on hormones in women allow early detection of imbalances, to treat and restore, i.e. to reduce or increase their level.

When to take

The number of the main hormones of the reproductive system in women varies, and therefore tests they need at certain times, which indicates only the doctor. From the day and literacy training depends on how quality will be the result of the study and its interpretation. Mainly blood sampling is carried out in the morning on an empty stomach, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. The table shows the time that is suitable for testing.

The name of the hormone	Time suitable for delivery of the analysis
Hormones of the pituitary gland
Adrenocorticotropic	Not depend on periods (on prescription)
Thyroid-stimulating	Not depend on periods (on prescription)
Prolactin	3-5 days of the cycle of menstruation
It	3-5 or 19-21 days of the menstrual cycle
Luteinizing	4-7 or 19-21 days of the menstrual cycle
Sex
Testosterone	8-10 days of the menstrual cycle
Progesterone	After 22 days of the menstrual cycle Between 5 and 9 day cycle
Estradiol
Adrenal hormones
DHEA-sulfate (dhea-s)	8-10 days of the menstrual cycle
Cortisol	Not depend on periods (on prescription)
17-hydroxyprogesterone	3-5 days of the lunar cycle

How to donate blood for hormones

Venous blood

The name of the hormone	Effect on the body	How does the analysis on hormones in women
Hormones of the pituitary gland
Adrenocorticotropic	Affects the adrenal cortex, which is necessary for stimulating the production of cortisol, estrogen and androgens. The development lies on the anterior pituitary gland.	the blood sample is take on an empty stomach; 1 day before the date of analysis is not to take medication to protect yourself from stress, alcohol and cigarettes.
Thyroid-stimulating	Promotes the synthesis of thyroid hormones: T3 and T4, the lack of which causes hypothyroidism, and excess – hyperthyroidism	2 days before the analysis it is impossible to smoke, drink alcohol, exercise; blood is taken on an empty stomach;
Prolactin	Responsible for ovulation and the secretion of milk after childbirth.	the day before the scheduled date of analysis to exclude sexual acts, heat treatments, e.g. sauna, exercise, emotional turmoil; one hour before analysis of Smoking; analysis on prolactin provides for a 15-minute rest before the procedure.
It	Responsible for the production of follicles in the ovaries and estrogen	to refuse to eat in the morning; 1 day not to smoke, not exercise.
Luteinizing	Promotes the synthesis of progesterone	3 days before analysis it is possible to train and Smoking; just before the breakdown to try to calm down; from morning to analyze not eat.
Sex
Testosterone	Provides reproductive function.	before the need to exclude Smoking, alcohol, sexual intercourse and physical exercise; blood is taken only on an empty stomach.
Progesterone	Involved in development of the corpus luteum of the ovaries, and during pregnancy – the placenta.	in the morning can not eat, you can drink water; the day before the procedure you cannot eat fats.
Estradiol	One of the estrogens. Thanks to him, the sexual system is formed on the female type. Responsible for stabilization of the menstrual cycle, the development and growth of the egg or the uterus during pregnancy.	on the eve of eliminate exercise, Smoking.
Adrenal hormones
DHEA-sulfate (dhea-s)	In combination with a testosterone level of support the female libido. Excess leads to signs of hirsutism – the excessive hairiness on the body.	surrender happens on an empty stomach.
Cortisol	Involved in the production of antibodies synthesized in response to stressful situations. Excess of it can indicate cysts on the ovaries.	the day before the procedure not to exercise, not to smoke, exclude oral contraceptives.
17-hydroxyprogesterone	Normalizes the menstrual cycle and sexual function	blood is taken on an empty stomach.

How much is

Directly at the reception of the endocrinologist or the gynecologist for symptoms determines what tests for hormones women have to pass, and often appoints and examination of the urine. You can contact state or in a clinic or private facility, e.g. laboratory «Hemotest.» The cost analysis on female sex hormones for Moscow is around 500-600, so is best done from a comprehensive survey, which takes about 1.5-2 thousand, but research will hold about 5-6. So you don’t have to visit the clinic many times.

The norm of sex hormones in women

The assistant pulls out a vial

Women typically change the amount of produced hormones. This is due to the specific phase of the menstrual cycle:

The follicular. The beginning refers to the 1st day of menstruation and the end – to the formation of the dominant follicle, that is, about 14 per day.
Ovulatory. This includes a period of 3 days after the release of the dominant follicle with the egg. It 14-16 hours a day.
The luteal. Includes the time from ovulation until the next menstrual period, i.e. from 16 to 28 days.

The ratio of FSH and LH

Before the onset of puberty the balance of FSH and LH is equal to the ratio of 1:1. As they grow older, this proportion gradually acquires the value 1:1,5, that is, the amount of luteinizing becomes larger. This ratio remains in the normal state of health until the onset of menopause – normal FSH in women is less than the amount of LH is about 1.5 times.

Hormone	Number, mked/ml
Hormone	Follicular	Ovulatory	Luteal
FSH	3-10	10-46	1,4-7
LH	2-15	24-151	2-16

The hormone progesterone

Number, nmol/l
Women between 18 and 90 years
Follicular	Ovulatory		Luteal	Menopause
0,3-2,2	0,5-9,4		7,0-56,6	Less than 0.6
Pregnant
1 trimester		2 trimester			3 trimester
8,9-468,4		71,5-303,1			88,7-771,5

Estradiol

Hormone	Number, PG/ml
Hormone	Follicular	Ovulatory	Luteal	Menopause	Pregnancy
Estradiol	57-227	127-476	77-227	19,7-82	Changes from 210 to 26 960

Norma testosterone in women

Technician looking through a microscope

In the analysis of the hormone testosterone in women examines 2 types: total and free. The first indicates the level of this substance is associated and not associated with the transport protein. On the latest indicator free testosterone. The total level is equal to 0.26 and 1.3 ng/ml free testosterone is not dependence with the phase of the cycle, and with the age of the woman.

Hormone	Number, PG/ml
Hormone	Up to 20 years	20-39 years	40-59 years	Over 60 years
Testosterone	Of 0.13 to 3.09	Of 0.13 to 3.09	0,13-2,6	0,13-1,8

Prolactin

The permissible level of the hormone prolactin is determined by the clinics individual practices, so even the units are different. In General, the normal number is 4 to 33 ng/ml the Number of changes in each specific phase of the cycle of menstruation. For pregnant women it is normal when the hormone prolactin is high: its value can range from 34 to 386 ng/ml, and increasing it gradually with the development of the fetus.

The hormone DHEA

The acronym DHEA is hiding the name «steroid hormone dehydroepiandrosterone». In women it is produced in the ovaries, but only in the amount of 5%. The rest are synthesized by the adrenal glands. To age of 35 years, the level of this substance changes from 2660 to 11200 nmol/l In each trimester hormone blood women should show the following values of DHEA:

in 1 – 3,12-12,48 nmol/l;
in 2 – 1,7-7,0 nmol/l;
in 3 – 0,86-3,6 nmol/L.