Hormones in the human body regulate the work of many organs. Even with a slight violation of their production, he alth is under serious threat. First of all, metabolism, regenerative processes are disturbed, blood flow becomes difficult, and the reproductive system suffers. Regular monitoring of hormonal levels in women is especially important. It is in the representatives of the weaker sex that hormonal fluctuations are laid down by nature. The indicators depend on age, the day of the monthly cycle, and even the emotional state. In order to control and maintain hormonal he alth, you need to regularly undergo a medical examination. We will tell you about what examinations you need to undergo and how hormone tests are deciphered in the article.
When to get tested for hormones
Modern pace of life contributes to the development of hormonal imbalance in most people. Therefore, diseases associated with the improper production of individual hormones are increasingly being recorded. Stress, malnutrition, a passive lifestyle, an unfavorable ecological situation, the intake of various drugs lead to such disorders.drugs and many other factors. Therefore, everyone can be at risk. Doctors recommend annually undergoing examinations to prevent the development of diseases caused by a violation of the human hormonal background. It is mandatory to prescribe tests for "female" hormones in the following cases:
- with a sudden change in weight;
- excess weight that cannot be corrected by proper nutrition and exercise;
- oily skin, inflammatory processes on it, acne;
- unreasonable mood swings and sleep disorders;
- prolonged stress and depression;
- excess body hair growth;
- pregnancy planning;
- lack of ovulation;
- menstrual disorders;
- miscarriages and missed pregnancy history;
- recurrent miscarriage;
- prolonged absence of conception;
- delayed puberty;
- ovarian tumors;
- endometriosis;
- amenorrhea;
- mid cycle bleeding;
- during pregnancy;
- hormone therapy to control treatment.
Tests for hormones: what to take
Depending on the alleged diagnosis, the doctor will prescribe the necessary tests. How many hormone tests you need to take depends on the he alth problem that has arisen. In some cases, you need to find out the level of one hormone, and in the other - a number of indicators. Often clinics offer a comprehensive hormonal study, which consists of11 hormones:
- follicle-stimulating hormone;
- luteinizing hormone;
- estradiol;
- prolactin;
- testosterone;
- progesterone;
- triiodothyronine free;
- DEA sulfate;
- total thyroxine;
- thyroid stimulating hormone;
- antibodies to thyroid-stimulating hormone.
Such a study allows you to detect most of the violations in the work of the body associated with the work of hormones, including in the reproductive system of women. The duration of the study depends on whether urgent hormone tests were performed. The prices of such surveys are 600-1000 rubles. for one indicator. Results can be expected the next day. When conducting simple tests, the study lasts 3-6 days. The cost of such diagnostics will cost half as much.
Luteinizing hormone
Hormones synthesized by the pituitary gland and directly affecting the regulation of the woman's menstrual cycle - luteinizing (LH), follicle-stimulating (FSH), prolactin.
LH promotes the production of estrogens, thereby affecting the ovulatory processes and the formation of the corpus luteum. An insufficient amount of it in a woman's body leads to infertility, as the ovulation process is disrupted, weakness of the luteal phase, amenorrhea is noted. An increased amount in the blood may indicate endometriosis, polycystic ovaries, and a pituitary tumor. During pregnancy, low levels of LH are the norm. LH norms depend on the phasefemale cycle:
- 2-20 mU/L during the follicular phase (days 1-14 of the menstrual cycle);
- 20–150 IU/L in the ovulatory phase (days 14–16);
- 2-19 IU/L in the luteal phase (from day 16 until the first day of menstruation).
You can get tested for LH hormones on days 4-8 or 20-21 of a woman's monthly cycle. When interpreting the result, the doctor also takes into account the patient's age, complaints, medical history, weight, psychological state, bad habits - all these factors can affect the level of the hormone in the body.
Follicle Stimulating Hormone
The function of follicle-stimulating hormone in the body is indicated by its very name - it stimulates the maturation of follicles in the ovary. Accordingly, when it is reduced, the function performed by it is violated. Then ovulation does not occur, and pregnancy is impossible. Low levels of FSH can normally only occur during pregnancy and menopause, since in these conditions there is no need for the body to mature follicles. This hormone must be taken in the follicular phase of the cycle. Normally, during this period, the concentration of the hormone should be 2.7–11.5 mU / l. The reasons for the increase in FSH can be uterine bleeding, endometriosis, neoplasms in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. Contribute to the increase in performance and external factors: X-ray radiation, alcohol and taking drugs such as Clomiphene, Metformin, Cimetidine and others.
Prolactin
Prolactin is also called the “milk hormone”, as it is responsible for the development of the mammary glands and the normalization of the lactation process. On thethe level of hormone concentration is strongly influenced by external factors. It changes at different times of the day and days of the monthly cycle. Contribute to a change in indicators and experiences, fatigue, taking various drugs, physical overload. Pass the analysis on 5–7 or 18–23 days of the menstrual cycle. The norm of the hormone is considered to be indicators of 61-512 mU / l. With an increased level of prolactin, women complain of cycle disorders, weight gain, breast discharge, acne, decreased libido.
Progesterone hormone
Progesterone is the pregnancy hormone. He is responsible for the growth of the endometrium, which is necessary for fixing the embryo in the uterus, the development of the embryo. A hormone is produced during the luteal phase by the corpus luteum to prepare the body for a possible conception. Lack of progesterone threatens with intermenstrual bleeding, cycle disorders, and infertility. The hormone plays an important role during pregnancy. During this period, its performance increases significantly to form the necessary hormonal background.
The norm of progesterone in non-pregnant women during the luteal phase is 7.00-56.65 nmol/l. Since the hormone is directly related to the normal course of pregnancy, it must be diagnosed during this period. In the first trimester, its concentration should be 8.9–468 nmol/l. In the second - 71.5-303 nmol/l and in the last - 88-771 nmol/l.
Many laboratories offer prenatal hormone testing especially for expectant mothers. The prices of such comprehensive examinations vary from1500 r. up to 6000 r. depending on the number of indicators studied.
The hormone estradiol
Estradiol is a hormone that is involved in maintaining the normal functioning of the entire reproductive system, is responsible for female sexual development. The norm of this hormone in the preovulatory period is 684-1405 pmol / l. Its decrease indicates the insufficiency of the luteal phase of the female cycle, and during pregnancy, such indicators threaten a miscarriage or a fading of fetal development.
Diagnosis of blood levels of progesterone and estradiol are mandatory hormone tests when planning pregnancy.
Testosterone hormone
Violation of the production of such a male hormone as testosterone in a woman can lead to problems with conceiving a child, obesity and the development of male secondary sexual characteristics. This hormone is responsible for the formation of muscle mass and the processing of body fat, and also affects the level of libido. Normally, in a woman of childbearing age, testosterone levels should correspond to the following values: 0.25-1.30 ng / ml.
Thyroid hormone panel
When planning pregnancy, it is also mandatory to take tests for hormones produced by the thyroid gland. As well as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) synthesized by the pituitary gland. TSH stimulates the production of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). The lack of hormones of the thyroid panel leads to metabolic disorders and problems in the reproductive system. Such a comprehensive examinationcalled "test for hormones TSH". The following examinations are usually prescribed:
- Trioidthyronine total (T3). For non-pregnant women of reproductive age, the norm is 1.09–3.15 nmol/l.
- Trioidthyronine free: 2.5–5.8 pmol/l.
- Thyroxine is common. Norm 41–142 nmol/l.
- Thyroxine is free. Norm 8–22 pmol/l.
- Thyrotropic hormone (TSH). Norm 0.5-4.0 honey/l.
- Antibodies to TSH are found in autoimmune diseases. If the analysis index is more than 1.5 U/l, then the result is considered positive.
In laboratories, both a comprehensive analysis for TSH hormones and diagnostics of individual indicators are carried out. The price of the examination is 500-1000 rubles.
Types of tests for hormones and their cost
The doctor writes a referral for hormonal tests depending on the patient's he alth problems. You can take tests for hormones both in a public clinic and in a private laboratory. Many clinics offer comprehensive examinations. For example, hormone analysis for obesity, menstrual disorders, prenatal diagnosis, preparation for pregnancy, and others. The cost of hormone tests in a public medical institution is no different from the prices of a private laboratory. On average, a blood test for one hormone costs 500-600 rubles. While a comprehensive examination, consisting of 5-6 hormonal indicators, will cost 1500-2000 rubles. In addition, with a complete examination, you need to visit the laboratory to donate blood only once. ATIn Moscow, you can take a blood test for various hormones at the clinic "Invitro", "Khema", "Efis" and others.
How to get tested for hormones
As mentioned above, the level of hormones is significantly influenced by external and internal factors. An analysis for a certain hormone should be taken only on the required day of the menstrual cycle, therefore, only a doctor can set the date for blood donation, focusing on the well-being, complaints, regularity and duration of the female patient's cycle. Strictly follow your doctor's instructions for accurate test results.
You can take hormone tests only on an empty stomach - not earlier than after 8 hours of not eating. It is advisable to go to the laboratory no later than three hours after waking up in the morning. The day before the examination, you need to exclude:
- exercise;
- sexual intercourse;
- alcohol;
- visiting the sauna and baths, solarium;
- reduce stress factors;
- taking medications.
The norms of analysis for hormones differ significantly in different laboratories. The article presents only the average values of normal indicators. Decoding tests for hormones requires a professional approach and taking into account various factors. Therefore, only a doctor can explain the results and make a diagnosis.
