Female Hormone Panel Test (Basic) | PCOS Blood Test

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 basic women’s hormone panel measures key reproductive and metabolic hormones that play a role in ovulation, fertility, menstrual cycle regulation, and overall hormone balance. This test evaluates levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, total testosterone, unconjugated DHEA, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and prolactin in the blood. Measuring these may help identify potential hormonal imbalances that contribute to symptoms such as fertility issues, irregular periods, mood, or unexplained weight changes.

This test does not diagnose underlying conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) or infertility on its own but understanding your hormone levels may help you and your healthcare provider to identify next steps for handling any symptoms you may be experiencing.

No doctor’s visit needed. Buy this basic women's hormone panel blood test, visit a nearby Quest location, and get fast results.

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

You want to better understand your current hormone levels
You want to establish a baseline for tracking changes over time
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 (birth control) or hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

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.

For a more expanded view of your hormones, Quest offers the Women's Hormone Test Panel — Expanded, which includes all the markers on this panel as well as progesterone, free T3, free T4, and thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies.

This women’s hormone panel measures hormone levels in your blood that are commonly tested by healthcare providers to evaluate irregular periods, fertility issues, PCOS symptoms, and other suspected hormone problems and imbalances.

It includes:

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).

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. 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 hormone issues when the other signs aren't clear or present.

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.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in the blood are measured 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 a hormone imbalance in women:

Irregular menstrual cycles or missed or heavy periods
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
Low sex drive

Purchaser: You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a test on questhealth.com.

Patient: This test can be performed on female patients between 18 and 100 years old.

Sample collection: This test requires sample collection at a Quest Diagnostics location or through Quest Mobile® where available, a convenient location for in-home sample collection*. Collection is not available in AZ or HI.

*Check your zip code here for service availability, testing may not be available in all locations.

If you have a period during your cycle, it is best to have your sample collected on cycle day 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 your convenience. Morning sample collection is preferred. Fasting (not eating or drinking anything except water) for 8-12 hours is required. Certain supplements and medications can interfere with your test results. If you are concerned about any of your supplements or medications impacting your results, talk to your healthcare provider before your sample is collected to see if you should stop taking them and for how long.

After you provide your specimen, it generally takes a 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 you have or create a MyQuest® account, you may be able to review your new results there with your other Quest results. If your results differ from expected ranges, you may receive an alert call from an independent healthcare coordinator. Independent healthcare providers are available to discuss questions or concerns you may have regarding your results and may be able to prescribe treatment, if appropriate.

Included with your purchase, you have the ability to discuss your results with an independent healthcare provider who may be able to prescribe hypothyroidism 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.

Compare products

Test For	Women's Hormone Test Panel — Basic	Women's Hormone Test Panel — Expanded
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Estradiol
Testosterone, Total
DHEA, Unconjugated
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
Prolactin
Progesterone
Free T4
Free T3
Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies
	$225.00	$289.00 Learn More

Women's Hormone Test Panel — Basic	Women's Hormone Test Panel — Expanded
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Estradiol
Testosterone, Total
DHEA, Unconjugated
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
Prolactin
Progesterone
Free T4
Free T3
Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies
$225.00	$289.00 Learn More

How it works

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3

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Complete your test sample collection during your scheduled appointment.

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1

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+ in-home sample collection

No doctor visit required for purchase. If in-home service is available in your area, purchase for an additional $79 fee.

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2

Register your test
& schedule an appointment

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

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3

In-home sample collection

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

4

Get fast results

Access results online as soon as they’re available. You will be emailed when they are ready. Discuss your results with an independent healthcare provider at no extra cost. Treatment options may be available.

Please note: Quest Mobile is currently only available for individuals ages 18+.

Testing for hormone imbalances is essential for identifying potential underlying conditions and determining appropriate treatment options.

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 8-13% of 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.

Will this test detect PCOS?

No. This panel can identify hormone patterns commonly seen in PCOS, but diagnosis requires clinical evaluation and may include imaging and additional labs. Other tests that may aid your healthcare provider in the diagnosis of PCOS include insulin resistance tests. Approximately 50% to 70% of all women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have some degree of insulin resistance, which may contribute to the hyperandrogenism that is responsible for the signs and symptoms of PCOS. Quest offers the following insulin resistance tests that can accompany hormone panels:

What is the best day of my cycle to test hormones?

If you have a period during your cycle, it is best to have your sample collected on cycle day 2, 3, or 4 (cycle day 1 is the first day of your period). Testing on one of these days will give a more accurate baseline of your hormone levels since they can fluctuate vastly throughout the month and testing at the wrong time can misrepresent normal function. If you do not get your period, the test can be performed at your convenience.

What causes irregular periods?

Irregular periods can be related to hormone imbalance, thyroid dysfunction, stress, weight changes, or underlying medical conditions. This test measures common hormonal contributors.

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:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14752302/

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.