Hormones in the human body regulate the work of many organs. Even with a slight violation of their production, health is under serious threat. First of all, metabolism, regenerative processes are disrupted, blood flow is difficult, the reproductive system suffers. Especially important is the regular monitoring of hormonal levels in women. It is in the representatives of the weaker sex that hormonal changes are inherent in nature. Indicators depend on age, day of the monthly cycle and even emotional state. In order to control and maintain hormonal health, you must regularly undergo a medical examination. About what it is necessary to undergo examinations and how the decoding of tests for hormones occurs, we will describe in the article.
When to take hormone tests
The modern pace of life contributes to the development of hormonal imbalances in most people. Therefore, diseases associated with the improper production of individual hormones are increasingly being recorded. Stress, poor nutrition, a passive lifestyle, an unfavorable environmental situation, the use of various drugs, and many other factors lead to such violations. Therefore, everyone can be at risk. Doctors recommend an annual examination to prevent the development of diseases caused by human hormonal imbalance. It is mandatory to appoint tests for "female" hormones in the following cases:
- with a sharp change in weight;
- excess weight, which can not be corrected with proper nutrition and exercise;
- oily skin, inflammatory processes on it, acne;
- causeless mood swings and sleep disorders;
- prolonged stress and depression;
- excessive hair growth on the body;
- pregnancy planning;
- lack of ovulation;
- menstrual irregularities;
- history of miscarriage and missed pregnancy;
- habitual miscarriage;
- prolonged lack of conception;
- delayed puberty;
- ovarian tumors;
- endometriosis;
- amenorrhea;
- bleeding in the middle of the cycle ;
- during pregnancy;
- hormone therapy to control treatment.
Hormone tests: what you need to pass
Depending on the proposed diagnosis, the doctor will prescribe the necessary tests. How many hormone tests you need to pass depends on your health problem. In some cases, you need to find out the level of one hormone, and in another - a number of indicators. Often, clinics offer a comprehensive hormonal study, which consists of 11 hormones:
- follicle-stimulating hormone ;
- luteinizing hormone;
- estradiol;
- prolactin;
- testosterone
- progesterone;
- triiodothyronine free;
- DEA sulfate;
- total thyroxine;
- thyroid stimulating hormone;
- antibodies to thyroid stimulating hormone.
This study allows you to detect most of the disorders in the body associated with the work of hormones, including in the reproductive system of women. The duration of the study depends on whether urgent hormone tests were performed. The prices of such examinations are 600-1000 p. for one indicator. Results can be expected the next day. With simple tests, the study lasts 3-6 days. The cost of such a diagnosis will be two times cheaper.
Luteinizing hormone
Hormones synthesized by the pituitary gland and directly affect the regulation of the woman’s menstrual cycle are luteinizing (LH), follicle-stimulating (FSH), and prolactin.
LH promotes the production of estrogen, thereby affecting ovulatory processes and the formation of the corpus luteum. An insufficient amount of it in the body of a woman leads to infertility, since the ovulation process is disrupted, the weakness of the luteal phase, amenorrhea is noted. Its increased amount in the blood may indicate endometriosis, polycystic ovary, pituitary tumor. During pregnancy, a reduced LH content is the norm. LH rates depend on the phase of the female cycle:
- 2–20 mU / l during the follicular phase (1–14 days of the menstrual cycle);
- 20–150 mU / l in the ovulatory phase (14–16 days);
- 2–19 mU / L in the luteal phase (from day 16 to the first day of menstrual flow).
Tests for LH hormones can be done on days 4–8 or 20–21 of a woman’s monthly cycle. When interpreting the result, the doctor also takes into account the patient’s age, complaints, medical history, weight, psychological state, bad habits - all these factors can affect the level of the hormone in the body.
Follicle-stimulating hormone
The function of follicle-stimulating hormone in the body is indicated by its name itself - it stimulates the maturation of follicles in the ovary. Accordingly, when it is reduced, the function it performs is disrupted. Then ovulation does not occur, and pregnancy is impossible. Low levels of FSH in the norm can only be during pregnancy and menopause, since in these conditions there is no need for the body to mature follicles. This hormone must be taken into the follicular phase of the cycle. Normally, during this period, the concentration of the hormone should be 2.7–11.5 mU / l. The reasons for the increase in FSH can be uterine bleeding, endometriosis, neoplasms in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. External factors also contribute to the improvement of the indicators: X-ray radiation, alcohol and taking drugs such as Clomiphene, Metformin, Cimetidine and others.
Prolactin
Prolactin is also called "milk hormone", as it is responsible for the development of the mammary glands and the normalization of the lactation process. External factors strongly influence hormone levels. It changes at different times of the day and days of the monthly cycle. Contribute to changes in indicators and experiences, fatigue, taking various drugs, physical overload. They are tested for 5–7 or 18–23 days of the menstrual cycle. Norms of the hormone are considered indicators of 61-512 mU / l. With an increased level of prolactin, women complain of cycle disorders, increased body weight, breast discharge, acne, and decreased libido.
Hormone progesterone
Progesterone is a pregnancy hormone. He is responsible for the growth of the endometrium, necessary for fixing the embryo in the uterus, the development of the embryo. A hormone is produced during the luteal phase by the corpus luteum to prepare the body for a possible conception. Lack of progesterone threatens intermenstrual bleeding, cycle disorders, infertility. The hormone plays an important role during pregnancy. During this period, its indicators significantly increase for the formation of the necessary hormonal background.
The norm of progesterone in non-pregnant women during the luteal phase is 7.00-56.65 nmol / L. Since the hormone is directly related to the normal course of pregnancy, it must be diagnosed during this period. In the first trimester, its concentration should be 8.9–468 nmol / l. In the second - 71.5–303 nmol / L and in the last - 88–771 nmol / L.
Many laboratories specifically for expectant mothers offer prenatal hormone tests. The prices of such comprehensive surveys range from 1500 r. up to 6000 r. depending on the number of indicators studied.
Hormone estradiol
Estradiol is a hormone that is involved in maintaining the normal functioning of the entire reproductive system, and is responsible for female sexual development. The norm of this hormone in the pre-ovulatory period is 684–1405 pmol / L. Its decrease indicates a deficiency of the luteal phase of the female cycle, and during pregnancy, such indicators threaten a miscarriage or a stagnation of the fetus.
Diagnosing blood levels of progesterone and estradiol are mandatory hormone tests when planning pregnancy.
Hormone testosterone
Violation of the production of such a male hormone as testosterone in a woman can lead to problems with conceiving a child, obesity and the development of secondary sexual characteristics of the male type. This hormone is responsible for the formation of muscle mass and the processing of body fat, and also affects the level of libido. Normally, a woman of childbearing age category should have testosterone values of 0.25-1.30 ng / ml.
Thyroid hormone panel
When planning pregnancy, it is also mandatory to take tests for hormones produced by the thyroid gland. As well as thyroid-stimulating (TSH) hormone synthesized by the pituitary gland. TSH stimulates the production of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Lack of thyroid hormones leads to metabolic disorders and problems in the reproductive system. Such a comprehensive examination is called “TSH hormone analysis”. The following examinations are usually prescribed:
- Trioidothyronine total (T3). For non-pregnant women of reproductive age, the norm is 1.09–3.15 nmol / L.
- Trioidthyronine free: 2.5–5.8 pmol / L.
- Thyroxine is common. The norm is 41–142 nmol / l.
- Thyroxine is free. The norm is 8–22 pmol / L.
- Thyroid- stimulating hormone (TSH). The norm is 0.5-4.0 mU / l.
- Antibodies to TSH are found in autoimmune diseases. If the analysis indicator is more than 1.5 U / L, then the result is considered positive.
The laboratories conduct both a comprehensive analysis of TSH hormones and the diagnosis of individual indicators. The price of the survey is 500-1000 p.
Types of hormone tests and their cost
The doctor writes out a referral for hormonal tests, depending on the patient’s health problems. You can take hormone tests both in the state clinic and in a private laboratory. Many clinics offer comprehensive examinations. For example, a hormone test for obesity, menstrual irregularities, prenatal diagnosis, preparation for pregnancy, and others. The cost of hormone tests in a state medical institution is no different from the prices of a private laboratory. On average, a blood test for one hormone costs 500-600 p. While a comprehensive examination, consisting of 5-6 hormonal indicators, will cost 1,500-2,000 p. In addition, with a full examination, you need to visit the laboratory for blood donation only once. In Moscow, you can take a blood test for various hormones in the clinic "Invitro", "Hema", "Efis" and others.
How to take a hormone test
As mentioned above, the level of hormones is significantly affected by external and internal factors. An analysis for a specific hormone should be taken only on the necessary day of the menstrual cycle, therefore only a doctor can set the date for blood donation, focusing on well-being, complaints, regularity and duration of the patient’s female cycle. Strictly follow your doctor's instructions for reliable test results.
Testing for hormones is possible only on an empty stomach - no earlier than after 8 hours of no meal. It is advisable to go to the laboratory no later than three hours after morning awakening. The day before the examination, it is necessary to exclude:
- physical activity;
- sexual intercourse;
- alcohol;
- visiting the sauna and bathhouse, solarium;
- reduce the impact of stress factors;
- taking medications.
Hormone assay standards vary significantly between laboratories. The article shows only the average values of normal indicators. Deciphering hormone tests requires a professional approach and the consideration of various factors. Therefore, only a doctor can explain the results and make a diagnosis.