Female Hormone Panel Test (Basic) | PCOS Blood Test

Women's Hormone Test Panel — Basic

Measure hormones that impact your reproductive health and wellness to kickstart a conversation with your healthcare provider. If your test results are abnormal, an independent physician may be able to provide you with treatment options. Read more

Test details

Sample type:

Blood

Preparation:

If you have a period during your cycle, it is best to have your sample collected on cycle days 2, 3 or 4 (cycle day 1 is the first day of your period). If you do not get your period, the test can be performed at any time. Overnight fasting is required for this panel (10-12 hours without food). Because testosterone levels are usually highest in the morning, it is recommended that you schedule an appointment to have your sample collected early in the day. If you are taking supplements or medications, check with your healthcare provider to see whether you should take them before the test.

Test type: In Person

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$225.00

+ $6.00 Physician Service Fee

Quantity

What

This panel measures various hormone levels give you insights about your reproductive health; total testosterone, unconjugated DHEA, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and prolactin.

Who

Women who experience any symptoms mentioned below or are interested in checking hormone levels that impact their menstrual cycle and reproductive health. Must be 18 years of age to purchase.

How

Blood

Where

Find a location near you

Schedule an appointment, then visit one of the Quest Diagnostics Patient Service Centers.

About the Test

This female hormone panel measures follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, total testosterone, unconjugated DHEA, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and prolactin levels in the blood. Your hormone levels are always fluctuating and can affect your menstrual cycle, mood, metabolism, fertility, and sleep and body processes. Imbalances in these hormones may be a reason for irregular periods, problems with ovulation, fertility issues, and other underlying conditions, like PCOS.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age, but many women don’t know they have it. It affects about one in 15 women, and an estimated 75% of females with PCOS remain undiagnosed. Understanding your hormone levels may help you and your healthcare provider to identify next steps for handling any symptoms you may be experiencing.

With Quest, you can buy a basic women's hormone panel blood test online and get testing at a nearby location – no doctor’s visit required.

This test may be right for you if any the following are true:

You want to better understand your current hormone levels
You are experiencing symptoms of hormone imbalance disorders or reproductive endocrine disorders (listed below in the Signs & Symptoms section)
You have irregular menstrual cycles
You are planning for a family and want information to help evaluate your fertility

This test may NOT be right for you if any of the following are true:

You are pregnant
You are taking hormonal contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy

Hormone imbalances can only be diagnosed by a healthcare provider based on your symptoms and history. By getting tested, you and your healthcare provider can better understand the cause of your symptoms and identify next steps.

This test panel measures hormone levels in your blood that are commonly evaluated by healthcare providers to diagnose PCOS and other similar reproductive hormone problems such as menstrual irregularities and PCOS. Each test in this panel helps you and your doctor assess: ovulatory dysfunction, androgen excess, and differential diagnosis.

Ovulatory dysfunction
Ovulatory dysfunction is when a woman’s menstrual cycle doesn’t follow the typical pattern, or if her period is missing completely (known as amenorrhea). In ovulatory dysfunction, reproductive hormone problems are less common than other causes of irregular cycles, which should be ruled out by your healthcare provider (eg menopause).

FSH is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that stimulates the ovaries to produce eggs, and it also controls the menstrual cycle. With aging, estrogen levels decrease and FSH levels increase. This test measures the level of FSH in your blood. High levels can indicate that you have begun the menopause transition.

Luteinizing hormone is another sex hormone produced by the pituitary gland that helps to control the menstrual cycle and triggers ovulation. Levels outside of typical range may cause irregular periods. As estrogen levels decrease with aging, LH levels increase. High levels of LH may indicate the beginning of menopause or can indicate a problem where your hypothalamus causes your period to stop, commonly due to excessive exercise, stress, or undereating (hypothalamic amenorrhea).

Estradiol is the primary and most potent form of the hormone estrogen. Estrogen is first produced at puberty. Estradiol levels fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle during your reproductive years but begin to decline during the menopause transition. A low level of estradiol may indicate the start of the menopause transition or can indicate a problem where your hypothalamus causes your period to stop, commonly due to excessive exercise, stress, or undereating (hypothalamic amenorrhea).

Androgen excess
Androgens are sex hormones that signal the body to have “male” characteristics. Hyperandrogenism is when there is too much of an androgen in the body and can cause issues like extra facial and body hair growth for women. Testing for excess androgens helps identify reproductive hormone issues when the other signs aren't clear or present.

Testosterone is an androgen steroid hormone associated with the development of sex characteristics, bone health, and sex drive. Higher than normal levels of total testosterone in females can lead to hyperandrogenism and can be related to PCOS.

DHEA is a hormone, produced in the adrenal gland, that helps make other hormones like testosterone and estrogen, and levels usually peak in early adulthood and slowly fall with age. Testing DHEA levels helps healthcare providers determine the source of androgens in hyperandrogenic conditions like PCOS when testosterone levels are normal.

Differential diagnosis (other causes of menstrual irregularities)
Other health conditions share many of the same signs and symptoms with reproductive hormone issues and should be evaluated by a healthcare provider. The following hormones are included in this panel to help identify other possible causes of irregular periods:

The Thyroid Function Test measures thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in the blood to evaluate thyroid function, which is critical for regulating weight, energy, body temperature, mood, and overall health. If your TSH levels are abnormally high or low, this may indicate that your thyroid is either underactive (hypothyroidism) or overactive (hyperthyroidism). During menopause, TSH levels can also rise as estrogen decreases. Symptoms of hypothyroidism are like those experienced during menopause, so it is important to screen for thyroid disease when discussing irregular periods. If you have severe symptoms, it may be an indication of an underactive thyroid. If test results identify abnormal TSH levels, free thyroxine (T4) blood levels will be tested using your submitted sample at no additional cost to you to provide information needed to help diagnose hypothyroidism.

Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that is responsible for the development of certain breast tissues, as well as lactation after giving birth. Levels are high in women who are pregnant or have recently given birth and are normally low all other times. High levels can also indicate the presence of a prolactinoma, a benign (noncancerous) tumor in the pituitary gland that can cause irregular periods and hot flashes. Therefore, testing these levels can help your healthcare provider determine if you may have other health issues or are in menopause.

The following signs and symptoms may indicate reproductive hormone problems in women:

Irregular menstrual cycles
Weight gain or bloating
Insomnia or sleep disturbance
Fatigue
Infertility
Acne, dry skin, or other skin issues
Hot flashes/flushes or night sweats
Mood changes, like anxiousness or irritability
Depression
Headaches
Muscle weakness and/or joint pain
Hirsutism (growing face or body hair in unusually large amounts)
Androgenic alopecia (thinning hair or hair loss)
Enlarged polycystic ovaries
Breast tenderness or pain

You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a test on questhealth.com. Purchases not permitted in: AK, AZ, HI.

After the Test:
After you provide your specimen, it generally takes few business days to process and release your test results. However, processing times may vary. Your test results will be available in a clear and easy-to-read report. If your results differ from expected ranges, you may receive an alert call from an independent healthcare coordinator. Independent physicians are available to discuss questions or concerns you may have regarding your results.

Treatment Options:
Included with your purchase, you have the option to discuss your results with an independent physician who may be able to prescribe specific treatment depending on your results.

If your thyroid (TSH) lab result is abnormal or out of expected range, the lab will perform an additional test (free thyroxine, T4) on the sample you have already provided at no extra cost to you. This additional testing can provide additional diagnostic information to help with care.

How it works

questhealth.com offers 100+ consumer-initiated Quest Diagnostics lab tests to empower you to have more control over your health journey. Choose from a variety of test types that best suit your needs.

In-person
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Visit Quest for sample collection

Complete your test sample collection during your scheduled appointment.

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Access results online as soon as they’re available.

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Get physician support

Discuss your results with an independent physician at no extra cost.

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If in-home service is available in your area, purchase for an additional $79 fee.

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Schedule an appointment

After you make a purchase, Quest Mobile will contact you to schedule an in-home sample collection appointment.

In-home sample collection

A Quest Mobile phlebotomist will collect your sample and deliver it to Quest Diagnostics.

Get fast results online

Access results online as soon as they’re available. Discuss your results with an independent physician at no extra cost.

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In-home sample collection is not available in all locations.
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Testosterone is often thought of as only a male sex hormone, but females have (and need) testosterone too, just in much smaller amounts. Read our article to learn more about essential hormones and how they affect women's menstrual cycles.

FAQs

Can I still get pregnant if I have irregular periods or problems with ovulation caused by reproductive hormone problems, like PCOS?

Yes, it is still possible to get pregnant. Early diagnosis, lifestyle changes, and treatment are important for your overall health, including your fertility. You can use this test to kickstart an informative conversation with your healthcare provider to identify next steps.

What is PCOS and can it be cured?

PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, is a common endocrine (hormone) disorder that affects about one in 15 women of reproductive age. Common signs and symptoms include androgen excess (abnormal hair growth and acne), menstrual irregularity, and metabolic dysfunction (obesity, insulin resistance, etc.) It is one of the most common causes of female infertility, affecting 6-12% (as many as 5 million) of reproductive-age women in the United States. There are currently no exact causes or known cures for PCOS, but with the help of your healthcare provider, there are lifestyle changes and potential treatment options to help manage the condition.

Can I use my FSA or HSA funds to purchase tests at questhealth.com?

You may be able to use your FSA or HSA funds to purchase lab tests at questhealth.com. Please review your FSA/HSA plan or check with a tax professional to confirm specific requirements for individual eligibility.

Our references

References:

Quest Diagnostics. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Clinical Focus. https://testdirectory.questdiagnostics.com/test/test-guides/CF_PCOS/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos

Sources:

Prevalence of PCOS - CDC
PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and Diabetes | CDC

Androgen Excess & PCOS Society Patient Resources
For patients - Androgen Excess & PCOS Society (ae-society.org)

Tests purchased on questhealth.com are only for individuals who intend to pay directly for testing and do not want to submit a claim for reimbursement under their health insurance.

Women's Hormone Test Panel — Basic