MENOPAUSE BLOOD TEST

Luteinising Hormone (LH) is produced by the pituitary gland and is important for male and female fertility. In women it governs the menstrual cycle, peaking before ovulation. In men it stimulates the production of testosterone.

Raised LH in women can signal that you are not ovulating, that you are menopausal or that your hormones are not in balance (as with polycystic ovaries).

Raised LH in men can signal that the testes are not producing enough testosterone. Check these with a home blood test kit

Oestradiol is a female steroid hormone that is produced in the ovaries of women and in the testes of men however in a much lesser extent. It is responsible for the female reproductive system as well as the growth of breast tissue and bone thickness. Oestradiol levels lower with age, culminating in the menopause when the ovaries stop producing eggs.

Raised oestadiolin women can cause acne, constipation loss of sex drive and depression it can also increase the risk of uterine and breast cancer.

Oestradiol can also be raised in men due to excess fat or in relation to testosterone levels which have declined with age. Raised oestadiol in men can cause the growth of breast tissue aswell as the loss of libido and infertility.

Lower levels of oestradiol in women can least to osteoporosis, problems with the menstrual cycle and fertility as well as fatigue and depression.

Prolactin is a hormone which is made in the pituitary gland and plays a role in reproductive health. Its main purpose is to stimulate milk production after birth and in pregnant and breastfeeding women prolactin levels will soar.

Raised levels in a woman who is neither pregnant or breastfeeding can signal fertility problems as well as irregular periods.

Higher levels in men can cause reduced sex drive, erectile dysfunction, and lack of energy and fertility problems.

The Progesterone Test measures the amount of the hormone in your blood. Progesterone is a female hormone produced by the ovaries and it’s essential for pregnancy. It prepares the uterus for fertilization and produces breast milk.

A cortisol test is done to measure the level of the hormone cortisol in the blood, which may indicate problems with the adrenal glands or pituitary gland

testosterone is a sex hormone it is responsible for lots of things including: fat distribution, muscle mass, strength bone mass, sex drive production of sperm and red blood cells

Testosterone levels will decline naturally as we age but sometimes people experience more dramatic drops, this test will check your Testosterone levels

Thyroxine (T4) is one of two hormones produced by the thyroid gland. Most T4 is bound to carrier proteins in the blood – this test measures the level of T4 which is free, or unbound, circulating in your blood.

High levels of free thyroxine can indicate an overactive thyroid while low levels can indicate an underactive thyroid.

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone is produced in the pituitary gland and stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).

High levels of TSH indicate an underactive thyroid while low levels indicate an overactive thyroid. In primary pituitary failure, a low TSH will be associated with an underactive thyroid.

Tiredness, exhaustion, headaches, difficulty concentrating, digestive problems and depression can all be signs of a low vitamin B12 level. People with high stress levels, vegans, vegetarians, pregnant women and seniors all have an increased risk of vitamin B12 deficiency.

DHEAS is the sulphated form of DHEA, a hormone which delinnes gradually from the age of 30. It is produced by the adrenal glands and is responsible for male characteristics in both men and women.

A raised result in women may contribute to hirsuitism (excess hair) as well as male body characteristics. It can also be raised in polycystic ovary syndrome.

In both sexes raised DHEAS may indicate Cushing’s disease (when the body produces too much cortisol) as well as a possible adrenal tumour.

Low levels of DHEAS may indicate adrenal dysfunction and could contribute to a low libido, fertility problems and, in women, osteoporosis.