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Private, accurate & secure
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Match your hormone question to the right measurements

Each of these answers a different hormone question — from a broad panel to a single result.

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Hormone testing measures signals involved in reproductive function, adrenal activity, and thyroid regulation. Shoppers often compare testosterone, estradiol, FSH, LH, cortisol, DHEA-S, progesterone, and thyroid measurements when changes in energy, menstrual patterns, sexual function, body composition, or other symptoms prompt questions. The useful next decision is whether you need a focused result, such as cortisol or SHBG, or a panel that pairs sex-hormone measurements with related results such as thyroid tests, lipids, or metabolic measurements. Results are best considered alongside timing, symptoms, and professional guidance.

What common hormone measurements help clarify

Testosterone is reported in several panels because it is relevant to sexual and reproductive health questions in people of different sexes. Free testosterone reflects the portion not bound to carrier proteins, while total testosterone reflects the overall amount measured. SHBG is the carrier protein that helps explain why total and free testosterone do not always move together. Estradiol, estriol, and total estrogen address different estrogen measurements; the Estrogen Testing, Comprehensive Panel reports all three. FSH and LH are pituitary signals involved in reproductive hormone regulation. DHEA-S and morning cortisol are adrenal-related measurements, and thyroid results such as TSH, total T4, T3 uptake, and free T4 index add information about thyroid regulation.

Compare panels by the results that change interpretation

The Hormone Panel with E2 Ultrasensitive & F&T Testosterone LC/MS measures ultrasensitive estradiol, free testosterone, total testosterone, FSH, and LH, alongside blood count and chemistry measurements. The Female Comprehensive Hormone Panel (LC/MS/MS) adds DHEA-S, progesterone, pregnenolone, TSH, free T3, total estrogen, cholesterol fractions, triglycerides, and glucose. The Hormone Panel with Thyroid Profile combines estradiol, FSH, LH, total testosterone, and a thyroid profile containing TSH, total T4, T3 uptake, and free T4 index. Those differences matter when the question involves sex-hormone results alone versus sex-hormone results interpreted alongside thyroid or metabolic measurements.

Focused IGF-1 and hormone monitoring during gender-affirming care

Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (IGF-I, LC/MS) measures IGF-1 and reports female and male reference Z scores. IGF-1 reflects growth-hormone-related signaling over time; it is not a direct growth hormone measurement. For people following a clinician-directed gender-affirming hormone plan, Gender Reassignment with Thyroids measures total testosterone, total estrogen, TSH, total T4, T3 uptake, free T4 index, cholesterol fractions, blood counts, and standard chemistry values. The useful option is the one that matches the specific measurements and timing in the monitoring plan.

Hormones FAQ

Hormone testing measures specific chemical signals rather than providing a diagnosis by itself. Available options measure testosterone, estradiol, estriol, total estrogen, progesterone, FSH, LH, DHEA-S, cortisol, SHBG, and selected thyroid measurements. These results help frame questions about reproductive signaling, adrenal activity, hormone binding, and thyroid regulation, especially when reviewed with symptoms, timing, and relevant medical history.

FSH and LH are pituitary hormones that participate in reproductive hormone signaling. Looking at FSH and LH beside testosterone or estradiol helps show how these related signals align at the time of collection. The Hormone Panel with E2 Ultrasensitive & F&T Testosterone LC/MS measures both alongside free and total testosterone and ultrasensitive estradiol, which is useful when comparing several parts of that signaling relationship.

Total testosterone reflects the overall testosterone amount measured in blood, while free testosterone reflects the portion not bound to carrier proteins. SHBG matters because it binds testosterone and influences the relationship between total and free values. A total testosterone result alone does not always answer the same question as paired total testosterone, free testosterone, and SHBG results.

SHBG is useful when total testosterone and free testosterone need to be interpreted together. Higher or lower SHBG can alter how much testosterone is bound, so two people with similar total testosterone values can have different free testosterone results. The Sex Hormone Binding Globulin, SHBG test directly measures this carrier protein and supports a more informed conversation about paired testosterone findings.

Estradiol, estriol, and total estrogen are distinct reported measurements. The Estrogen Testing, Comprehensive Panel measures estradiol, estriol, and total estrogen, allowing those results to be viewed side by side. Estradiol is also included in several multi-measurement panels, while ultrasensitive estradiol is specifically included in the Hormone Panel with E2 Ultrasensitive & F&T Testosterone LC/MS. Timing and individual circumstances are important when interpreting estrogen results.

Cortisol, AM measures cortisol in a morning collection, when timing is relevant to the result. Cortisol is an adrenal-related hormone, and a single value should be interpreted carefully because collection timing, stress, illness, and other factors can influence it. The Cortisol, AM test is suited to a focused cortisol measurement; meaningful symptoms or an unexpected result warrant professional review.

DHEA-S and cortisol are both adrenal-related measurements, but they are different hormones and answer different laboratory questions. DHEA-S is included in the Female Comprehensive Hormone Panel (LC/MS/MS), along with testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, and thyroid measurements. Cortisol, AM reports morning cortisol alone. Testing both is not interchangeable, since one result does not represent the other.

The Hormone Panel with Thyroid Profile measures estradiol, FSH, LH, total testosterone, TSH, total T4, T3 uptake, and free T4 index. TSH reflects pituitary signaling to the thyroid, while total T4, T3 uptake, and free T4 index provide related thyroid information. This combination helps shoppers who want thyroid-related results considered alongside selected reproductive hormone measurements.

Glucose and lipid results provide metabolic information that can be considered alongside hormone measurements. The Female Comprehensive Hormone Panel (LC/MS/MS) reports glucose, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and cholesterol ratios in addition to reproductive, adrenal-related, and thyroid measurements. Those values do not explain a hormone result on their own, but they add useful health information for a professional discussion.

Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (IGF-I, LC/MS) measures IGF-1 in blood and reports reference Z scores. An IGF-1 blood test is often used when the question involves growth-hormone-related signaling, but it does not measure growth hormone directly. Age, symptoms, medical history, and other results affect interpretation.

Ordering & Results FAQ

You'll receive it via email within 60 seconds of your order unless it requires additional processing (only very complex orders do).

Many general wellness test results are typically available online within 2-3 business days. However, some tests will require additional processing time. You will immediately receive an email & SMS notification when your results are available.

We do not share your results with your physician, insurance company, or any other third party.

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