Sexual Health Reproductive Health Issues Types of Hormone Tests for Women and Their Results Checking Imbalances of Estrogen, Progesterone, FSH, and More By Cathy Wong Updated on September 19, 2023 Medically reviewed by Steffini Stalos, DO Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents What's Tested Estrogen Progesterone Follicle Stimulating Testosterone/DHEA Thyroid Luteinizing Hormone Other Hormones Testing Options A hormone test for women can reveal important information about your health. These tests can detect fertility problems, where you are in your menstrual cycle, or whether you're starting perimenopause. Hormone blood tests can also play a role in diagnosing medical conditions such as thyroid disease or diabetes. In some instances, they can show how well a medication is working. This article looks at the tests done for each hormone, when the tests are needed, what's considered normal and abnormal, and what the results could mean. Illustration by Michela Buttignol for Verywell Health What's Being Tested? Hormone blood tests can look at several key hormones: Estrogen Progesterone Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) Testosterone/DHEA Thyroid hormones Luteinizing hormone In most cases, healthcare providers use hormone test results combined with other factors—such as symptoms, medical history, and other test results—to reach a diagnosis. Estrogen Estrogen isn't a single hormone. You have many types of estrogens. Only three of them are commonly tested: Estrone (E1): The main post-menopausal hormoneEstradiol (E2): The main female hormone before menopause and outside of pregnancyEstriol (E3): A form that increases during pregnancy E2 is the most often tested form. It's the major hormone responsible for sexual function and also plays a major role in: Healthy bonesFemale characteristicsOther aspects of health Estradiol is primarily produced by the ovaries and levels vary throughout the menstrual cycle. They're highest at ovulation and lowest at menstruation. E2 levels slowly decrease as you age. The largest drop occurs at menopause when the ovaries "switch off." Everyone has some estradiol in their bodies, regardless of their biological sex. Lessons in Gut Health: Why Balancing Bacteria Matters When Estrogen May Be Tested You may need an estrogen test if you have symptoms of an estrogen-related condition or: You're having trouble getting pregnant. Your periods are irregular. Puberty appears to be delayed, regardless of biological sex. You're having menopause symptoms. You have vaginal bleeding after menopause. You're biologically male but displaying female characteristics (such as developing breasts). When to Take a Pregnancy Test Estrogen Test Results What's considered normal for estradiol levels depends on your menstrual cycle and phase of life. Testing for fertility looks at three phases of the menstrual cycle: Follicular phase: This lasts from the first day of your period until ovulation, usually about 14 days. It's named for the follicle housing the egg before it's released during ovulation.Periovulatory phase: This is an approximately three-day period around the time of ovulation.Luteal phase: This lasts from ovulation until the start of menstruation. After ovulation, the follicle releases estrogen and progesterone to prepare your uterus for a fertilized egg to implant. Estrogen levels are measured in picograms (one-millionth of a gram) per milliliter (pg/mL). E2 Test Timing Range (pg/ml) Follicular phase 19.5-144.2 Periovulatory phase 64.9-356.7 Luteal phase 55.8-214.2 Postmenopausal 32.2 or lower Source: University of North Carolina Medical Center What the Results Mean Low estrogen levels may be a sign of: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) Decreased pituitary function (hypopituitarism) Anorexia nervosa Low body fat Low Estrogen: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments High estrogen levels may occur with conditions such as: Obesity Light or heavy menstrual bleeding Worsened premenstrual syndrome Fatigue Loss of sex drive Certain medications are also known to increase estrogen levels. These include steroid hormones, phenothiazines, tetracycline antibiotics, and ampicillin. When Should You Get a Hormone Blood Test? You may need one if you're having symptoms of a hormonal imbalance. These are often done during the first half of your menstrual cycle, when levels are more distinct. However, progesterone tests to check ovulation are typically done on day 21 of your cycle. Estrogens and Breast Cancer Progesterone Progesterone is essential for regulating menstruation and fetal development. During the luteal phase, it helps prepare the uterus to receive a fertilized egg. What happens next depends on whether the egg is fertilized: If the egg is not fertilized, progesterone levels plummet, and a new menstrual cycle begins. If the egg is fertilized, progesterone levels remain high. This stimulates the growth of blood vessels that supply the lining of the uterus (endometrium) and makes glands in the endometrium that release nutrients to nourish the developing embryo. When Progesterone Levels May Be Tested You may need a progesterone test to determine: Whether you're ovulating normally Why you're having trouble getting pregnant Your risk of miscarriage or other pregnancy complications If you have a pregnancy outside of the uterus (ectopic pregnancy) Progesterone Test Results As with estrogen, what's considered normal for progesterone depends on the timing of the test. Midway through the menstrual cycle, progesterone levels start climbing. Between six and 10 days later, if there's no fertilized egg, levels drop off. If the egg is fertilized, levels rise through the earliest stage of pregnancy. Progesterone levels are measured in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) or nanomoles per liter (nmol/L). Progesterone Test Timing Range (ng/mL) Range (nmol/L) Follicular phase 1 or lower 3.18 or lower Mid-cycle 5-20 15.9-63.6 1st trimester 11.2-90 35.62-286.2 2nd trimester 25.6-89.4 81.41-284.29 3rd trimester 48-above 300 152.64-above 954 Postmenopausal 1 or lower 3.18 or lower Source: University of North Carolina Medical Center What the Results Mean If progesterone levels are low during pregnancy, it could be a sign that you're at risk of miscarriage or premature labor. You may be given a synthetic form of progesterone to prevent early labor. High progesterone levels usually do not signal any health problems unless they continue for a long time. In those instances, high levels may indicate an increased risk of breast cancer. How Early Can a Blood Test Detect Pregnancy? Blood tests can detect pregnancy between six and eight days after ovulation. By contrast, to be accurate, home pregnancy (urine) tests should be taken after your period is late. That's between 12 and 16 days after ovulation. Follicle Stimulating Hormone Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is produced by the pituitary, a pea-sized gland in the brain. FSH stimulates the growth of an egg in the ovary to get it ready for fertilization. FSH can be checked with either blood or urine tests. Healthcare providers may look at a single sample or, to look for fluctuations, several samples taken over a 24-hour period. The pituitary gland produces more FSH when estrogen and other hormone levels begin to drop before menopause, when the ovaries are losing their reproductive potential. How Does Artificial Insemination Work? When FSH Levels May Be Tested In adult females, the FSH test may be used in diagnosing: Abnormal menstrual bleeding Infertility The start of perimenopause or menopause Ovarian function issues and PCOS Pituitary gland tumors Ovarian cysts FSH Test Results This hormone also changes over the course of your menstrual cycle and lifetime. FSH is measured in milli-international units per milliliter (mIU/mL). FSH Test Timing Range (mIU/mL) Follicular phase 3.5-12.5 Ovulatory phase 4.7-21.5 Luteal phase 1.7-7.7 Postmenopausal 25.8-134.8 Source: Laboratory Corporation of America. What the Results Mean Abnormal FSH levels are often caused by a disease of the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus (a part of the brain). The hypothalamus has several functions, including: Balance Temperature regulation Hunger and satiation These glands can be affected by PCOS, cancer treatment, a congenital defect (a condition you're born with), or other diseases and disorders. The Hypothalamus and Your Menstrual Cycle Testosterone and DHEA While testosterone is usually regarded as the "male sex hormone," it's also part of the female hormonal makeup. In females, testosterone is produced in the ovaries and adrenal glands. Most of it is then converted to estradiol with the help of an enzyme called aromatase. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is also classified as an androgen, but it is normally present in females as well. When Testosterone/DHEA Levels May Be Tested You may need a testosterone or DHEA test because of: Irregular or missed periods Possible ovarian conditions, including PCOS and ovarian cancer Weight gain Acne Development of male traits (excess hair growth, male pattern baldness, deepening voice) Infertility Decreased sex drive Testosterone/DHEA Test Results Testosterone doesn't fluctuate like female hormones, so the timing of tests isn't important. Testosterone is measured in nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) or nmol/L. Testosterone Range (ng/dL) Testosterone Range (nmol/L) 15-70 0.5-2.4 Source: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Normal DHEA levels depend on your age. It's measured in micrograms per deciliter (mg/dL) or micromoles per liter (mmol/L). Age DHEA Range (mg/dL) DHEA Range (mmol/L) 18-19 145-395 3.92-10.66 20-29 65-380 1.75-10.26 30-39 45-270 1.22-7.29 40-49 32-240 0.86-6.48 50-59 26-200 0.7-5.4 60-69 13-130 0.35-3.51 69-older 17-90 0.46-2.43 Source: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai What the Results Mean High testosterone could mean steroid abuse, PCOS, cancers of the adrenal glands or ovaries, and congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Low libido is associated with low levels of testoterone. A drop in testosterone can also indicate perimenopause. Testosterone in Menopause Testosterone naturally drops during menopause, causing myriad symptoms including:Diminished sex drive, sexual pleasure, and orgasmic responseLow energyDepression High DHEA levels on blood tests may be a sign of conditions such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia or cancer of the adrenal gland. Thyroid Hormones Thyroid function is determined by the levels of a group of hormones. These hormones are produced by the pituitary and thyroid glands. The three main ones are: Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH): A pituitary hormone that tells the thyroid gland to produce more hormone Thyroxine (T4): An inactive thyroid hormone that can be converted to an active state Triiodothyronine (T3): The active thyroid hormone, most of which comes from converted thyroxine Thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb): An enzyme that helps your body produce thyroid hormones. Thyroid peroxidase antibodies interfere with the action of this enzyme. High levels of TPOAb can be a sign of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Thyroid function tests are often included in a female hormone panel because thyroid diseases are more common in women than men. It may also be included to examine whether the thyroid is affecting fertility and pregnancy. When Thyroid Levels May Be Tested You may need a thyroid hormone test if you have symptoms of either an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) or an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). Hypothyroidism symptoms include: Fatigue Unintended weight gain Puffy face Intolerance of cold Pain in the joints and muscles Constipation Dry skin Dry, thinning hair Decreased sweating Heavy or irregular menstrual periods Fertility problems Depression Slow heart rate Goiter (enlarged thyroid gland causing a lump in the front of your throat) Hyperthyroidism symptoms include: Anxiety Fatigue Frequently feeling cold or hot Irregular or light menstrual period Hair loss Unintended weight loss or gain Tremors Rapid heart rate Bulging eyes Goiter Hyperactivity Thyroid Test Results Healthcare providers may use TSH alone or a combination of TSH, T4, and T3 tests to diagnose thyroid disorders. TSH is measured in milli-international units per liter (mIU/L). There's a range for non-pregnant females as well as trimester-specific ranges in pregnancy. TSH Test Timing Range (mIU/L) Non-pregnant 0.5-5 First trimester 0.1-2.5 Second trimester 0.2-3 Third trimester 0.3-3.5 Sources: UCLA Health, study by Galoiu S. T4 is measured in micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL). T3 is measured in nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). Thyroid Hormone Range T4 (Thyroxine) 5-12 µg/dL T3 (Triiodothyronine) 80-220 ng/dL Sources: UCLA Health What the Results Mean Interpreting TSH results can be confusing. That's because high TSH means low thyroid activity and low TSH means high thyroid activity. Your provider may look at TSH alone or all three hormones together in order to reach a diagnosis. TSH T4+T3 Diagnosis High Low Hypothyroidism High Normal Borderline hypothyroidism Low High Hyperthyroidism Low Normal Early or mild hyperthyroidism Low Low Pituitary disease Source: UCLA Health If results start out with low TSH and high thyroid hormones and then reverse with further testing, it indicates thyroiditis, which is inflammation of the thyroid gland. Autoimmune Thyroid Disease Antibody (TPOAb) testing may be done to see if you have an autoimmune thyroid condition such as Hashimoto's or Graves' disease. TPOAb is measured in international units per microliter. A normal range is less than 9 IU/mL. Luteinizing Hormone Your pituitary gland makes luteinizing hormone (LH), which helps control your menstrual cycle. This hormone is responsible for triggering ovulation, or the release of an egg. When you have too much luteinizing hormone, you may have difficulty getting pregnant. Too much LH can also cause problems with menstruation such as irregular periods. When Luteinizing Hormone May Be Tested Your healthcare provider may want to check your LH levels for a few possible reasons: To look for the cause of infertilityTo help you find the time during your menstrual cycle when you are most likely to get pregnantIf you have irregular periodsTo confirm the start of perimenopause, the transition period before menopause Luteinizing Hormone Test Results LH is measured in international units per milliliter (IU/mL). Normal LH levels vary during the menstrual cycle. They are also different for someone who has reached menopause. LH Test Timing Range (IU/mL) Follicular phase 1.68 to 15 IU/mL Midcycle peak 21.9 to 56.6 IU/mL Luteal phase 0.61 to 16.3 IU/mL Postmenopausal 14.2 to 52.3 IU/mL Source: University of Rochester Medical Center What the Results Mean High LH levels could mean a few different things: The onset of perimenopause (in older people)Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition that causes cysts to form on the ovariesTurner syndrome, a genetic condition that affects sexual development Low LH levels can be related to: An eating disorder or malnutritionA problem with the pituitary gland Other Hormones Your healthcare provider may also want to check the levels of other types of hormones. Some of these include: Cortisol: Cortisol is an important hormone that impacts things like your metabolism, blood pressure, and stress response. Melatonin: This hormone helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle. Your healthcare provider may want to check your melatonin levels if you are having trouble sleeping.Serotonin: Serotonin is a hormone that helps transmit impulses through your nervous system. High levels of this can mean you have a certain type of serotonin-secreting tumor.Growth hormone: Your child's pediatrician may check their growth hormone levels if they are growing too slowly or too quickly. Adults can also have too much growth hormone.Leptin: Leptin is a hormone that helps your body maintain weight. People with low leptin may have trouble controlling how much they eat. Ghrelin: Ghrelin is produced by your stomach. It helps you know when you are hungry or full. If you have obesity, you may have low ghrelin levels.Insulin: Insulin helps your body use blood glucose. A blood insulin test can help diagnose insulin resistance or find the cause of hypoglycemia. It may also be done to help your healthcare provider develop a treatment plan for type 2 diabetes. Testing Options Depending on your symptoms and/or the hormone that needs to be tested, you may have a few options for where to have the test done. Your Healthcare Provider's Office Most people have their hormone levels tested after a visit to a healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider may want to check your hormone levels because of a symptom you are experiencing or some other concern. Many hormones can be tested with a simple blood test. These tests are usually done in your provider's office or in a separate testing facility. During the test, a sample of blood is collected into a vial using a small needle. Some hormones are checked with a urine or saliva test. These can also be done at a testing facility or in your healthcare provider's office. At Home At-home testing kits are also available. Some home tests check female reproductive hormones as well as cortisol and thyroid hormones. These tests involve collecting a small amount of saliva and mailing it to a laboratory for testing. At-home tests are more convenient than testing at a healthcare provider's office and can be a good option for people who prefer to avoid needles. However, these tests are not always reliable. This is because hormone levels can fluctuate and because at-home tests are more prone to error. If you get one of these tests, it is also important to discuss the results with your healthcare provider rather than trying to interpret them yourself. Summary Hormone tests are often done as part of regular blood work, but your healthcare provider may order them if you're having menstrual issues, changes in sex characteristics, fatigue, loss of sex drive, or problems getting pregnant. Providers may specifically check estrogen, progesterone, FSH, testosterone/DHEA, and thyroid hormone levels. Abnormal readings can indicate that you have a condition such as PCOS, ovarian cysts, thyroid disease, or, possibly, cancer. Tests are one step in the process of diagnosing a condition. If the results are concerning, your provider may order additional tests. 29 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Khattar D, Sodhi C, Parmod J, Dutta A. Correlating estrogen levels and cognitive functions in regularly menstruating females of reproductive age group and post menopausal women of North India. J Family Reprod Health. 2015;9(2):83-88. Saran S, Gupta BS, Philip R, et al. Effect of hypothyroidism on female reproductive hormones. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2016;20(1):108-113. doi:10.4103/2230-8210.172245 Ajayi O, Charles-Davies M, Anetor J, Ademola A. Pituitary, gonadal, thyroid hormones and endocrine disruptors in pre and postmenopausal nigerian women with ER-, PR- and HER-2-positive and negative breast cancers. Med Sci (Basel). 2018;6(2):37. doi:10.3390/medsci6020037 National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Estrogen levels test. Victoria State Government, Victoria, Australia: Better Health Channel. Menstrual cycle. Schorr M, Miller KK. The endocrine manifestations of anorexia nervosa: mechanisms and management. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2017;13(3):174-186. doi:10.1038/nrendo.2016.175 Ko SH, Kim HS. Menopause-associated lipid metabolic disorders and foods beneficial for postmenopausal women. Nutrients. 2020;12(1):202. doi:10.3390/nu12010202 Endocrine Society. What is estrogen? Society for Endocrinology: You and Your Hormones. Laboratory tests: Introduction to laboratory tests. Mesen TB, Young SL. Progesterone and the luteal phase: a requisite to reproduction. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2015;42(1):135-151. doi:10.1016/j.ogc.2014.10.003 National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Progesterone test. Haas DM, Hathaway TJ, Ramsey PS. Progestogen for preventing miscarriage in women with recurrent miscarriage of unclear etiology. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;10(10):CD003511. Published 2018 Oct 8. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003511.pub4 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Knowing if you are pregnant. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Pregnancy. National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels test. Mikhael S, Punjala-Patel A, Gavrilova-Jordan L. Hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis disorders impacting female fertility. Biomedicines. 2019;7(1):5. doi:10.3390/biomedicines7010005 Davis S, Wahlin-Jacobsen S. Testosterone in women—the clinical significance. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2015 Sept;3(2):980-92. doi:10.1016/S2213-8587(15)00284-3 National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Testosterone levels test. National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. DHEA sulfate test. Vegunta S, Kling JM, Kapoor E. Androgen therapy in women [published correction appears in J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2020 Nov;29(11):1487]. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2020;29(1):57-64. doi:10.1089/jwh.2018.7494 Achilli C, Pundir J, Ramanathan P, Sabatini L, Hamoda H, Panay N. Efficacy and safety of transdermal testosterone in postmenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Fertil Steril. 2017;107(2):475-482.e15. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.10.028 National Library of Medicine. Thyroid antibodies. National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Hypothyroidism. National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) test. National Library of Medicine. Luteinizing hormone (LH) levels test. National Library of Medicine. Cortisol test. National Library of Medicine. Growth hormone tests. National Library of Medicine. Insulin in blood. North American Menopause Society. What is hormone testing? Additional Reading Galoiu S. First trimester of pregnancy reference ranges for serum TSH and thyroid tumor reclassified as benign. Acta Endocrinol (Buchar). 2016;12(2):242-243. doi:10.4183/aeb.2016.242 Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. DHEA-sulfate test. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Testosterone. Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings: LabCorp. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). University of California Los Angeles: UCLA Health. What are normal thyroid hormone levels? University of North Carolina Medical Center, UNC Health Care. Serum progesterone. University of North Carolina Medical Center, UNC Health Care. Estrogen, serum (estradiol). By Cathy Wong Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies