Check out these factsheets and see if anything resonates with you: Oestrogen Dominance, PMS, Menopause, Men’s Health.
I am no longer running the full test service, but you can now order your Lab Tests here. There is no need for a practitioner consultation beforehand and they do lots of my favourites including DUTCH, GI360, OAT, MycoTox, Thyroid Plus, Cyrex, Metabolomix, Nutreval and many more. Emma and her functional medicine team will also help with consultations if needed. Meantime, you can still see all my legacy Lab Test pages for test info. Hope that helps 🙂
Women’s Health & Hormone Tests
Apologies, many of these links won’t work now – I’m getting around to them sloooowly! Pls forgive x
The core tests are either the Omnos Sex Hormone Complete panel for all the main markers needed to see what’s going on in hormones conditions including LH, FSH, SHBG, Prolactin, cholesterol, Vitamin D, thyroid markers and more.
Or, for a more comprehensive female health screen, use the Wellness 360 Female test which has 50+ markers looking at overall health plus the hormones. You can get those on the shop or by following those links. Those links will also take you to the sample reports and collection instructions.
These are both blood tests and the reason is that we want to look at both bound and free levels of hormones, plus LH, FSH etc, which you are not going to get with saliva or urine. Saliva and urine are good for free hormones and cortisol.
Some useful additions…
If you are having menstrual issues like irregular periods, PMS, PMDD, menstrual headaches, migraine, period pain etc, also do the Genova Rhythm test so we can check your cycles. You can order on the shop or direct via Genova using my code A42RS. And you can see all Genova hormone test sample reports and details here.
For PCOS or high androgen-type conditions like hair growth, hair thinning, acne etc, you may also need to check levels of DHT, the strongest androgen (male hormone). PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) is the most common endocrine disorder in women, in fact, and grossly under-diagnosed, most of the markers you need to identify it are in the core tests above, but DHT can also answer a few questions! I’ve added a DHT test on the shop in case.
If you suspect a high level of endocrine disruptor chemicals or toxins in your system – especially important in PCOS, in people sensitive to chemicals or who don’t detox well, or you are at risk or suffering from ‘proliferative’ hormone conditions like fibroids, cysts, endometriosis, hormone-sensitive cancers, fibrocystic breasts, or if you are not getting well – then test for key chemicals and EDCs, including glyphosate pesticide. Cyrex 11 also tests to see if you are immunologically reacting to them. If one comes up quite high, look for the source of it and eliminate. If lots come up higher than they should be, it is more likely that you’re not clearing chemicals well enough, so deal with that.
If you are having pain of any type, also test for essential fatty acid and prostaglandin levels as imbalances in those is the main cause. There is a Omega 3:6 balance check in the 360 Wellness test above, but for a more comprehensive look (especially if that is out of whack), use the Genova Red Blood Cell Fatty Acid Test, not the bloodspot preferably, although it’s OK if you need to. Collection instructions are here.
If you are over 35, and approaching perimenopause or post menopause, also check your adrenals. The earlier the better here as these have to start taking over production of oestrogen etc from your ovaries and many women who have a difficult menopause do so because their adrenals weren’t up to the job and needed boosting! We also want to make sure you are metabolising oestrogens safely and keep you at low risk of oestrogen-sensitive cancers and conditions like cysts, polyps, fibroids etc. The DUTCH test will check all of this. You can order that via that link or on the shop.
Bone/Osteoporosis: Check if you are resorbing bone so that you can catch and correct any osteoporosis risk early, especially post 45. Get your GP to do a regular DEXA bone scan, but also check bone resorption markers like DPD, which will show if you are losing bone much earlier – you have to have lost quite a bit before it shows on a scan – a bit late then, I always think! I’ve added urinary DPD (deoxypyridinoline) onto the shop for you. If you need something more comprehensive, Colab do several Osteoporosis screens, but they are a lot more costly – ask me to confirm prices if you need this. You can read more about DPD here – this is an old Genova test interp – sadly, they discontinued the test because very few people did it!
If you are post menopausal (a year after your last period), keep an eye on bone, cardiovascular and brain health particularly. The common link in those is inflammation, so get your hsCRP and/or ESR checked every year or so. Your doctor can do those, or see the Inflammation tests here. Why? because we know that, as oestrogen (and testosterone in men) drops, inflammation goes up a LOT!
Two other factors can have an enormous effect on hormone balance too: thyroid and blood sugar control. The basic thyroid markers are covered in the two core tests above but do the Genova Thyroid Plus for a better look if you suspect this. You can see all thyroid tests here. The HBA1c diabetes marker is included in the Wellness 360 core test, but for a proper look at glucose and pre-diabetes markers, see the Metabolic test here.
Finally, if you have a family history of hormone problems or are not getting well, it can be a good idea to check your hormone genetic patterns. It will likely answer some questions and may give you an idea of what pathways and systems need specific support if there is a genetic weakness or over-expression going on. Check the Genetics page out here.
Here is a video overview I did of the DUTCH test:
Oestrogen Metabolism
How we are metabolising oestrogens is vital. Read the Oestrogen Dominance factsheet here. If oestrogens are not being metabolised down well enough, it leaves us at risk of oestrogen-sensitive illnesses such as breast and prostate cancers.
Oestrogen metabolism is included in the DUTCH tests above.
Cycle Mapping
Sometimes women might need to see what’s happening throughout the month. It might be to see when they are likely ovulating or when their hormone symptoms are at their worst – do the symptom timings correspond with a surge or drop somewhere you could target?
Use the Genova Rhythm Test or Genova Rhythm Plus .
Why is it useful to test adrenals as well?
Including adrenals (in the DUTCH tests and the Genova Rhythm Plus ) can be very useful because they are partly responsible for the production of the sex hormones, especially as we get older (take note pre-menopausal women) so, if the hormone levels are struggling, it is often because the adrenal output is too low or dysfunctional somewhere, if you see what I mean. Correcting the adrenals and HPA axis generally improves oestrogen and progesterone levels and is usually where I would start with poor hormone levels, especially if you are over 40.
Also, the adrenal test will check DHEA levels too which has a direct impact on progesterone and testosterone production. So, if your DHEA was high, this could explain why you are progesterone dominant or producing a lot of male hormone. Obviously, it all gets a lot more complex than that – this is hormones after all! – but you get the general gist.
PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)
This is surprisingly common. It is a syndrome with a varying picture, but usually includes some or all of the following: insulin resistance, erratic period cycles, PMS, excess male hormones leading to belly fat gain, excess hair growth etc) and fertility issues. The hormone tests above measure the markers we need to identify that.
Men’s Health & Hormone Tests
The core tests are either the Omnos Sex Hormone Complete panel for all the main markers needed to see what’s going on in hormones conditions including LH, FSH, SHBG, Testosterone Total and Free, DHEA-S, PSA, Prolactin, cholesterol, Vitamin D, thyroid markers and more.
Or, for a more comprehensive male health screen, use the Wellness 360 Male test which has 50+ markers looking at overall health plus the hormones. You can get those on the shop or by following those links. Those links will also take you to the sample reports and collection instructions.
These are both blood tests and the reason is that we want to look at both bound and free levels of hormones, especially of testosterone, plus LH, FSH etc, which you are not going to get with saliva or urine. Saliva and urine are good for free hormones and cortisol.
Some useful additions…
The main things that can affect testes health are inflammation and oxidative stress as the testicular cells and barrier are very vulnerable to those. So, if your LH level is high or low, inflammation and oxidative stress can be a major cause. We also know that inflammation rockets as testosterone itself drops. That might be from middle age onwards or due to an inflammatory condition like coeliac disease etc. Get your hsCRP and/or ESR checked. Your doctor can do those, or see the Inflammation tests here. To test oxidative stress, do the urinary Genova Oxidative Stress test – you can order on the shop or direct with Genova using my code A42RS.
If you suspect a high level of endocrine disruptor chemicals or toxins in your system – especially important in testicular cells and barrier, if you are sensitive to chemicals, don’t detox stuff well or are at risk or suffering from proliferative-type hormone conditions like prostate enlargement or cancer, then test for key chemicals and EDCs, including glyphosate pesticide. Cyrex 11 also tests to see if you are immunologically reacting to them. If one comes up quite high, look for the source of it and eliminate. If lots come up higher than they should be, it is more likely that you’re not clearing chemicals well enough, so deal with that.
Male pattern baldness? PSA high? Low testosterone symptoms like erectile dysfunction, low libido etc, but levels look fine on tests? These could all be influenced by making too much DHT – dihydrotestosterone? This is the strongest, most androgenic androgen type and may be great – lots of energy, strength etc, but does leave you vulnerable to male pattern baldness and proliferative conditions like prostate problems, plus it can downregulate testosterone receptors which causes low testosterone symptoms. I’ve included a DHT blood test in case on the shop.
Insulin and blood sugar control is another massive factor for some men in balancing their hormones. The HBA1c diabetes marker is included in the Wellness 360 core test above, but for a proper look at glucose and pre-diabetes markers, see the Metabolic test here. Even better, do the Cardiometabolic test there to check heart health too. After 45 or so, keep an eye on cardiovascular and brain health particularly.
Bone/Osteoporosis: People think of this as a female problem but up to 30% of hip fractures are in older men, actually, so don’t ignore this. You can read more about osteoporosis in men here. Check if you are resorbing bone so that you can catch and correct any osteoporosis risk early, especially post 50. Get your GP to do a regular DEXA bone scan, but also check bone resorption markers like DPD, which will show if you are losing bone much earlier – you have to have lost quite a bit before it shows on a scan – a bit late then, I always think! I’ve added urinary DPD (deoxypyridinoline) onto the shop for you. If you need something more comprehensive, Colab do several Osteoporosis screens, but they are a lot more costly – ask me to confirm prices if you need this. You can read more about DPD here – this is an old Genova test interp – sadly, they discontinued the test because very few people did it!
Finally, if you have a family history of hormone problems or are not getting well, it can be a good idea to check your hormone genetic patterns. It will likely answer some questions and may give you an idea of what pathways and systems need specific support if there is a genetic weakness or over-expression going on, for example converting too much testosterone and precursors to oestrogen. Check the Genetics page out here – the Lifecode Gx Hormone report would be the most useful.
Phew: that’s a lot of info and choices I know, sorry; I’m trying to cover all bases here! Just have a good look through the various tests I’ve highlighted – and others I haven’t – and see what test gives you the information you need.
Testing Tips…
Follow the collection instructions given in your test kit for how to take samples as it varies depending on what stage of hormonal life you are and if you are on any hormones. Generally, most people will test to see how they are doing on meds/supplements – are they working? If having cycles, you aim for testing on days 19-21. If no longer having periods, any day is fine, although if you want to check a particular phase – follicular in the first half of the cycle, luteal in the second, then take your sample in that time frame so you can see what’s going on.
Check above for all the various links for help on the DUTCH tests.
Genova has a Guide to which samples are best for which hormones here.
If you have erratic cycles or find it difficult to track your cycle/see when you’re in the luteal phase – the best time to test if having periods – try using ovulation sticks. They don’t have to be the fancy digital ones. Use one a day. Count seven days after the paper first changes colour and do your test then – that’s when you will be in the luteal phase. Clever huh? The lab taught me that one 🙂