If you already have a GP or wish to interpret your own results, you can come in for your hormone imbalance test without a GP consultation. In this case, we will send you your results & you can take them to your doctor for interpretation.
If you are not sure what kind of hormone testing you need, we recommend that you have these tests done in conjunction with a GP consultation in order to make sure you cover the necessary markers, & then also so that you have support in interpreting the results & advice on any treatment going forward.
We offer to test for the full range of female hormones, & have special hormone testing packages available, as well as options for testing individual hormones.
Your hormones regulate different major body processes & systems so that hormonal testing can diagnose a wide range of symptoms relating to your sleep, energy, mood, metabolism & body temperature, in addition to the more obvious reproductive-related symptoms.
The doctor may suggest certain hormone tests in order to confirm a diagnosis, get more information about your symptoms, monitor the effectiveness of the existing medication, or evaluate the progression of an existing condition.
Symptoms
For women, the most dramatic hormonal shifts occur during puberty, pregnancy, childbirth & breastfeeding, perimenopause, menopause, & post-menopause, as well as every month with the changes in the menstrual cycle.
Your doctor may recommend hormone imbalance testing if you are experiencing any of the following:
- Changes in your menstrual cycle
- Heavy, painful, or very light periods
- Fatigue
- Acne
- Hirsutism (excessive hair growth)
- Irritability, mood swings, depression
- Unusual sensitivity to heat or cold
- Digestive problems, constipation, diarrhoea
- High or low blood pressure
- Reduced bone density
- Thinning, brittling, or loss of hair
Hormone imbalance testing can also be helpful for women experiencing perimenopause or menopause, to assist in deciding on the best method of treatment for any severe symptoms, & to confirm where you are at in the process.
Some of the major symptoms associated with menopause & perimenopause include:
- Night sweats
- Hot flashes
- Vaginal dryness
- Stress incontinence or urinary leaking
- Osteoporosis, caused by a reduction in bone density
- Loss of libido
Some of the more common conditions affecting hormone levels are PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), diabetes, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), thyroid nodules, stress, adrenal insufficiency, tumours, & cancer.
Hormone levels can also be affected by hormone therapy, certain medications, eating disorders, & injury or trauma.
Types of hormone imbalance tests:
- Female Hormone Screen
- FSH
- Oestrogen
- Progesterone
- Thyroid antibodies
- Thyroid hormones & others – please give us a call to ask for specific tests
