Hormone Panel Test Guide: What Tests Should You Order

Hormone panel tests detect fertility issues, thyroid disease, hormone deficiencies, and hormone imbalances. Most people remain unaware that they can order hormone blood panels without requiring a doctor's visit or insurance.

Request A Test has provided direct lab access since 2002. Prices are up to 85% below retail without compromising quality.

Hormone testing utilizes blood or saliva samples to measure levels that affect metabolism and mood. These panels identify imbalances causing anxiety, depression, irregular heartbeat, fatigue, and more. Results arrive within 1-7 business days - faster than traditional medical channels.

Doctors withhold critical information about hormone testing interpretation and optimal ranges. In this article, we will discuss what tests you might want to order.

Got questions? Ask the author in the comments section at the bottom of this page.

Why You Might Need a Hormone Panel Test

Constant fatigue, irritability, or unexplained weight changes signal potential hormone imbalance. Hormone panel tests measure various hormone levels, providing critical insights when something feels off.

Common symptoms of hormone imbalance

Hormonal issues manifest differently, but specific symptoms appear frequently. Fatigue often occurs in individuals with almost all types of hormonal imbalances. Additional symptoms include:

• Mood-related changes - irritability, anxiety, depression, memory problems
• Metabolic symptoms - unexplained weight gain or loss
• Sleep disturbances - insomnia, night sweats
• Skin and hair changes - acne, dryness, hair loss, excessive hair growth

Digestive disruption follows hormonal imbalance - constipation, diarrhea, or frequent bowel movements can all signal endocrine dysfunction.

Hormone test for women vs. hormone panel test for men

Women and men require different hormone evaluations due to unique endocrine systems.

Women's panels measure estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, and thyroid hormones. These tests identify irregular periods, fertility concerns, PCOS, or menopause. Testing becomes necessary with menstrual irregularities, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, or unexplained weight gain. I suggest the Female Hormone Panel #2, Morning serum Cortisol, and Saliva Cortisol.

Men's panels focus primarily on testosterone levels plus estradiol, DHEA, and cortisol. Testing proves especially relevant with decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, muscle loss, or unexplained fatigue. For men, I also recommend adding progesterone, as I have found it to be an essential factor in evaluating estrogen dominance. For men I suggest the same panels as for women. The lab will automatically adjust the refference ranges for your gender. Female Hormone Panel #2, Morning serum Cortisol, and Saliva Cortisol.

In both sexes, I recommend adding a comprehensive thyroid panel, pregnenolone, and a saliva cortisol (4 specimens). Pregnenolone is a key hormone that forms the foundation of your metabolism and neurological health. Saliva Cortisol (4 specimens) assesses the functional balance of the adrenals.

Important note about cortisol test types

Cortisol blood tests help rule out overt adrenal diseases like Cushing’s and Addison’s disease. They are a spot check of cortisol levels and do not reveal how your cortisol levels fluctuate throughout the day. This is where the Saliva Cortisol (4 specimens) comes in. The lab will provide you with a kit to take home, which will allow you to collect a total of four saliva samples over the course of the day. You should take a sample upon arising, twice during the day (or when you’re experiencing symptoms), and again at bedtime. A healthy result should show the highest levels in the morning, with levels declining throughout the day and reaching their lowest at bedtime. Understanding these fluctuations is crucial, as they can provide insights into your stress levels and overall adrenal function, helping to tailor a more effective treatment plan. Additionally, tracking these changes over time can reveal patterns that may correlate with lifestyle factors, such as sleep quality and dietary habits.

Thyroid disruption

Hormone imbalances indicate or contribute to serious health conditions. Thyroid disorders - hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism don't always show on the usual tests so I recommend running a Reverse T3 in addition to the standard TSH, T4, and T3 found in the Female Hormone Panel #2. - Reverse T3 is the innactive form of thyroid hromone, high levels can aid in understanding how normal T4 levels can still result in low thyroid symptoms.

Types of Hormone Tests and How They Work

Modern testing methods provide accurate hormone level evaluation through multiple approaches.

Complete hormone panel test overview

Complete hormone panels examine multiple hormones simultaneously to assess endocrine health. Examining these tests as a comprehensive picture helps identify imbalances that affect metabolism and reproductive health.

Saliva vs blood: pros and cons

Blood testing offers precise total hormone measurements. Blood excels at measuring peptide hormones like FSH, LH, prolactin, and thyroid hormones [3]. Single-point measurements miss daily hormone fluctuations.

Saliva testing measures free, bioavailable hormones—the active portion affecting your tissues [3]. Saliva tracks hormone patterns throughout a 12 or 24-hour period, notably cortisol [3]. Non-invasive collection allows multiple daily samples without stress.

How to get hormones tested without a doctor

Direct-to-consumer testing offers hormone evaluation without the need for physician visits. People can order lab tests without a doctor's referral or insurance requirements [6]. These services include the medical referral needed for testing.

Using requestatest.com or Request A Test services

Request A Test has offered direct-to-consumer lab testing since 2002, providing up to 85% savings off retail pricing [6]. Requestatest.com enables blood and saliva hormone testing from the convenience of home. Choose comprehensive test options, visit local collection sites, and receive results quickly [6].

What to Expect From Your Results

Hormone panel test results arrive within 1-7 business days after sample collection. Your report displays hormone levels alongside reference ranges - normal values expected for each hormone.

How to read a hormone panel blood test

Reference ranges vary based on:

• Age and sex
• Menstrual cycle phase (women)
• Sample collection time
• Laboratory testing methods

When to worry about abnormal levels

Abnormal results don't always indicate problems. What is considered "normal" varies significantly between individuals.

Specific patterns warrant attention: High TSH with low T4 suggests hypothyroidism, while low TSH with high T4 points to hyperthyroidism. Elevated testosterone in women might indicate PCOS, while high FSH with low estrogen often signals perimenopause or menopause.

Timing affects accuracy - hormone levels fluctuate throughout the day and menstrual cycle. Medications, stress, and sleep patterns can skew results, producing false abnormalities.

Follow-up steps after testing

Discuss results with healthcare providers who can contextualize them within your overall health picture. Standard lab ranges encompass broad spectrums of individuals, including those with suboptimal health. Your provider might use narrower "optimal" ranges.

Doctors may recommend:

• Additional testing to confirm findings
• Lifestyle modifications affecting diet, exercise, or stress management
• Medical interventions, including hormone replacement therapy
• Regular monitoring through follow-up tests

Abnormal results rarely stand alone in diagnosis; they're interpreted alongside symptoms, medical history, and other test results.

What Your Doctor Might Not Tell You

Standard hormone panels measure only total hormone levels. Healthcare providers rarely discuss the significant limitations of conventional testing methods.

Limitations of standard hormone panels

Most hormone tests fail to measure bioavailable "free" hormones - the portion actually affecting your tissues. Serum testing cannot distinguish between bound and free forms of estrogen and progesterone. Functional deficiencies remain hidden despite normal-looking results. This is where SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) testing comes into play. High SHBG levels can create functional hormone deficiencies that hormone supplementation alone will not fix.

Conventional tests use immunoassays that cross-react with similar molecules. These interactions produce misleading values that misrepresent the actual function of hormones. It is important to be off all multivitamins for a minimum of 3 days before hormone testing.

How timing affects test accuracy

Hormone levels fluctuate throughout each 24-hour cycle. Testosterone peaks between 7-10 AM and measures 30-35% higher than afternoon levels in young men [7]. Cortisol spikes between 8-9 AM, while TSH levels peak overnight and reach lowest points during early evening [8]. Female reproductive hormones follow daily rhythms - estradiol peaks at night, FSH and LH peak during afternoon hours [9].

Testing at incorrect times produces misleading results. Progesterone assessment in women with irregular cycles proves unreliable when single day-20 measurements fail to coincide with luteal phase [10]. The best time to have blood labs drawn is in the morning, between 7:00 and 9:00 AM.

The role of lifestyle and stress in hormone levels

Chronic stress elevates cortisol levels, which suppresses sex hormones. High cortisol decreases testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone levels [11]. Diet, exercise, medications, sleep patterns, and emotional stress can significantly alter test results [8].

Why symptoms matter more than numbers sometimes

Reference ranges represent broad population averages, including people with suboptimal health. "Normal" results do not necessarily indicate optimal function. Menopause diagnosis shows gonadotropin testing has limited utility - diagnosis and monitoring remain primarily clinical [10].

Your symptoms and quality of life guide treatment decisions regardless of standard range numbers.

Hidden Truths About Hormone Testing

Why doctors may overlook certain hormones

Traditional medicine runs basic hormone panels with broad reference ranges. Doctors tell patients that their hormones are "normal" even when symptoms persist. Many physicians remain unaware of current research and prescribe based on standard ranges [12]. Mainstream practitioners dismiss symptoms as "just getting older" or suggest antidepressants without addressing hormonal causes [13].

Functional medicine approaches test various bodily fluids to assess complete hormone function [13]. TSH and T4 testing alone provide an incomplete assessment of the thyroid. Free T3 and reverse T3 markers are necessary for accurate thyroid assessment [12].

The impact of medications and supplements

Specific medications directly interfere with hormone test accuracy. Biotin supplements falsely lower TSH results while artificially elevating free T4 and T3 [14]. Steroids alter TSH, T4, T3, LH, prolactin, testosterone, morning cortisol, and ACTH levels [15].

Oral contraceptives completely suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. FSH, LH, estradiol, and progesterone measurements become inaccurate during contraceptive use [15]. Antibiotics, metformin, statins, and antiepileptics significantly affect hormone metabolism [16].

How stress and sleep skew results

Poor sleep conditions increase cortisol while decreasing leptin [17]. Chronic sleep restriction increases ghrelin by 24% and raises hunger by the same percentage [17]. Single nights of total sleep deprivation decrease energy expenditure and increase plasma ghrelin [17].

Stress activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, leading to hormonal disruptions. Excessive cortisol suppresses testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone [18]. Temporary stress during testing produces misleading results that misrepresent true hormonal status.

The importance of retesting and tracking over time

Hormone levels change with age, lifestyle, and treatment protocols. Regular retesting ensures accurate real-time hormone data [19]. Initial retesting occurs 2-3 months after starting hormone therapy. Annual monitoring follows if symptoms resolve [20].

Retesting helps healthcare providers fine-tune hormone dosages and adjust treatment plans for optimal outcomes [19]. Consistent monitoring provides accurate information for informed, personalized health decisions [19].

Conclusion

Hormone panel testing reveals your body's chemical messaging system. These tests reveal hidden imbalances that affect metabolism and mood. Direct-to-consumer options provide access without physician referrals or insurance.

Standard reference ranges offer starting points. Optimal levels differ from "normal" ranges. Track symptoms alongside test results for a comprehensive picture of your hormonal health.

Timing affects hormone test accuracy significantly. Blood samples collected at different times yield different results due to natural fluctuations in the body's processes. Stress, sleep quality, medications, and supplements alter hormone levels during testing.

Your body signals when hormones become imbalanced. Fatigue, mood changes, weight fluctuations, and sleep disruptions warrant investigation. Consider hormone testing as your first step toward genuine answers.

Work with healthcare providers who listen to your concerns and consider your symptoms alongside the numbers. Establish regular testing schedules to track changes over time, especially when starting treatments or making lifestyle modifications.

Your hormonal health journey requires scientific data and personal awareness...

FAQs

Q1. What does a comprehensive hormone panel test include? A comprehensive hormone panel typically measures multiple hormones in your blood, including estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid hormones, pregnenolone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and stress hormones such as cortisol. The specific hormones tested may vary based on your gender and symptoms.

Q2. How often should I get my hormone levels tested? The frequency of hormone testing depends on your health situation. Generally, it's recommended to retest every 2-3 months when starting hormone therapy, and then annually if symptoms resolve. Regular monitoring helps healthcare providers adjust treatment plans for optimal results.

Q3. Can lifestyle factors affect my hormone test results? Yes, various lifestyle factors can significantly impact hormone test results. Stress, sleep quality, diet, exercise, and even the time of day when the test is conducted can all influence hormone levels. It's important to consider these factors when interpreting your results.

Q4. Are "normal" hormone levels always optimal? Not necessarily. Standard reference ranges represent broad population averages and may include individuals with suboptimal health. Your symptoms and quality of life should be considered alongside test results, as optimal hormone levels can vary between individuals.

Q5. Can I get hormone testing without a doctor's referral? Yes, direct-to-consumer testing services enable you to order hormone tests without a doctor's visit or the need for insurance. Companies like Request A Test offer affordable options for blood and saliva hormone testing, often with quick turnaround times for results.

Got questions? Ask the author in the comments section at the bottom of this page.

Dr. Peter Kassner, NMD - Biography

Dr. Peter Kassner, NMD, is the founding CEO of Health Natura, bringing 29 years of painstaking dedication to the field of naturopathic medicine. His journey in natural healing began in 1993 at the age of 17, when he embarked on his first apprenticeship before even completing high school...

Dr. Kassner established his first pain clinic, Clinical Therapeutics, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in 1996. This eventually evolved into Health Natura, LLC in 2005, reflecting his expanded mission to make Integrative Medicine accessible to those seeking alternatives to conventional treatments.

Throughout his clinical career, Dr. Kassner developed Unparalleled Expertise in immunology, cancer treatment protocols, acute and chronic infectious disease management, neuro-immunology, endocrine-immunology, thyroid iodine therapy, and Lyme disease interventions. His extensive training includes certifications in clinical massage, cranial sacral therapy, energy medicine, homeopathy, herbology, Chinese herbology, acupuncture, reflexology, EAV energy diagnostics, IV chelation, chemistry, and supplement compounding.

After obtaining both Masters and Doctoral degrees in Naturopathic Medicine, in 2005, dissatisfied with the state of commercial supplements, Dr. Kassner established Health Natura's first laboratory, specializing in Custom Compounding of preservative-free, excipient-free formulations with minimal ingredients. This commitment to purity and efficacy led him to retire from clinical practice in 2012 to focus entirely on Health Natura's supplement program.

Dr. Kassner's approach to naturopathic medicine has been profoundly shaped by his extensive travels throughout Western countries and Asia, where he studied diverse healing traditions. This global perspective informs his unique philosophy: delivering High-Quality, Personalized Wellness Solutions rather than mass-produced alternatives with compromised ingredients...

Today, Dr. Kassner continues to revolutionize the supplement industry through careful formulation and ethical sourcing, making Health Natura a trusted resource for those seeking superior natural health products.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). This product is not intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease. Statements of potential therapeutic value are the opinion of Dr. Kassner, ND, and are based on his personal and clinical experience. They should not be construed to endorse, condone or promote the use of any product as a medical treatment for any condition. Consult a medical professional before engaging in any self-care or nutritional supplement regimen to ensure safe and appropriate use. 

Dr. Kassner has been active in the field of alternative medicine since 1991. 

References

[1] - https://requestatest.com/female-hormone-panel-testing
[2] - https://requestatest.com/mens-hormone-panel-comprehensive-blood-test
[3] - https://www.meridianvalleylab.com/hormone-testing-when-to-use-serum-saliva-and-urine/
[4] - https://www.tecan.com/blog/saliva-hormone-testing-versus-blood-diagnostics
[5] - https://vibrant-wellness.com/blog/saliva-vs.-urine-hormone-testing-whats-the-difference
[6] - https://requestatest.com/
[7] - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4501456/
[8] - https://redcliffelabs.com/myhealth/blood-test/the-impact-of-natural-24-hour-fluctuations-on-blood-test-results/
[9] - https://www.endocrinology.org/endocrinologist/134-winter19/features/24-hours-in-the-life-of-a-hormone-what-time-is-the-right-time-for-a-pituitary-function-test/
[10] - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1767292/
[11] - https://www.kelsey-seybold.com/your-health-resources/blog/hormonal-imbalance-the-stress-effect
[12] - https://kresserinstitute.com/why-your-normal-thyroid-lab-results-may-not-be-normal/
[13] - https://www.yostwellnesscenter.com/blog-posts/7-hormonal-imbalances-that-could-be-the-hidden-culprit
[14] - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6657094/
[15] - https://ndnr.com/endocrinology/drugs-hormones-how-common-prescriptions-impact-the-endocrine-system/
[16] - https://www.gdx.net/tests/prep/endocrine-profiles/
[17] - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4377487/
[18] - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4688585/
[19] - https://help.honehealth.com/hc/en-us/articles/19761535169431-Why-do-I-need-to-retest
[20] - https://www.canaryclub.org/instructions/why-a-when-to-retest-salivary-hormone-levels?srsltid=AfmBOoryhXoLSCDeWRAZdH3i6T4u7utsm9xpPQ_ocD6Ljnv5qRp2A4PF