Hormones are chemical messengers in the body that help regulate a range of functions, from metabolism and digestion to sleep and sex drive. Women in particular experience a range of hormonal fluctuations throughout their lifetime.
Your hormones can get out of whack for a variety of reasons – some manageable, some life-threatening – and if you’re exhibiting certain symptoms associated with hormonal abnormality, your doctor may recommend a full panel of tests to help pinpoint your condition and also to monitor going forwards.
Women often joke about their hormones, but sometimes physical and mental maladies can really be blamed on hormonal imbalances; in which case, it’s essential to consult your doctor and get tested.
Why Do Doctors Order Hormone Tests?
There are three main reasons why your doctor may order a hormone test (or series of tests):
1. To Diagnose a Condition
Your doctor may order hormonal testing as a way to figure out the underlying cause of some unexplained symptoms you may be exhibiting. Hormonal testing is used to diagnose a range of conditions such as infertility, delayed development, thyroid issues, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), menopause, and specific kinds of tumors.
2. To Continue Monitoring the Condition
Once your doctor establishes what your medical condition is, they may want to continue testing you regularly in order to monitor the efficacy of any prescribed treatments and continual changes in their health. For transgender women, continual hormonal testing may help keep track of how gender-affirming hormone treatment is going and to keep tabs on their health.
3. To Screen for Potential Health Problems
For specific populations, hormone testing may be used for screening. Screening refers to when you look for health issues before any symptoms become apparent. Pregnant women, for example, may be tested for certain hormones to find out if their child has certain fetal health problems. Hormonal screening may also be done to test for pregnancy before somebody goes in for surgery, hospitalization, or incarceration.
Do I Need Hormonal Testing?
If you’re considering hormonal testing, the first thing is to consult with your doctor. Your primary care doctor or gynecologist will ask a series of questions about your general health and the symptoms you’re experiencing. They may refer you to a hormone specialist, known as an endocrinologist, for further care. After the doctor gets a general sense of the situation, they’ll order tests specific to the conditions they suspect. Below we detail some common symptoms that may signal hormonal imbalances.
Symptoms Of Hormonal Imbalances
Irregular Menstrual Sycles
Sometimes you may skip periods due to stress, travel, or low body fat, but if your menstrual cycle suddenly gets disrupted, or changed from being extremely regular, it may be a sign of hormonal issues. If you’re not close to menopausal age and perimenopause is ruled out, you should chat with your doctor.
Hair Changes
Hormonal imbalances can cause a host of effects on your hair, from thinning on the head, legs, and pubic region to excess hair growth (hirsutism) on your face. Increased testosterone, PCOS, or menopause are all common culprits behind chin or mustache hairs. A drop in estrogen during menopause can also cause hair to fall out, or retard hair growth. An under or overactive thyroid may also result in hair loss.
Acne
PCOS and thyroid imbalances can result in abnormally high levels of male hormones (such as testosterone) which can result in severe acne. If you have a sudden, persistent acne flareup, it may be worth it to get your hormone levels tested.
Unexplained Weight Fluctuations
Sudden weight gain or loss without any conscious change in your habits can be due to hormonal issues such as an abnormal thyroid gland, menopause, or PCOS.
Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
Hot flashes and night sweats are a well-known symptom of the dropping estrogen levels that accompany perimenopause or postmenopause, but it can also be a side effect of certain treatments and medications.
Vaginal Dryness
Vaginal dryness is a common symptom of menopause, but there are other conditions that can cause estrogen levels to drop. If you experience persistent vaginal dryness despite feeling sexual arousal, it may be due to low estrogen levels.
Common Types Of Hormones Your Doctor May Test For
Female hormone testing typically involves drawing blood to test for one or several hormones and the levels that they are at within your body. Although there are home tests available, drawing blood is the gold standard. If they suspect hormonal imbalance to be the root of your symptoms, your doctor may ask for a panel of the following types of hormones.
Estrogen
Estrogen is known as a “female hormone,” though men also have it- just at significant lower levels. Estrogen regulates the menstrual cycle, bones, brain, metabolism, heart, and skin, so an imbalance in estrogen can lead to a diverse range of symptoms.
Testosterone
Testosterone is associated with men, but females also produce it in smaller amounts. Testosterone in females assists with bone and muscle strength, fat metabolism, brain function, sex drive, and energy levels.
Progesterone
Progesterone is a hormone that helps the body prepare for pregnancy by thickening the uterus lining for the fertilized egg to implant in. If no pregnancy occurs, it rises and drops throughout the month according to the body’s menstrual cycles. It also has other functions, such as mood stabilization, blood pressure regulation, memory and thinking, and sleep cycles.
Thyroid Hormones
The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that produces hormones responsible for regulating metabolism. These hormones also impact body temperature, heart rate, and brain development. Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland is not producing enough thyroid hormones, and hyperthyroidism refers to an overactive thyroid gland.
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