If you are suspected of having a hormone disorder , your doctor can determine various hormones depending on your symptoms. Sex hormones and thyroid hormones play a particularly important role in the desire to have children . These can be easily detected in the blood or saliva. To do this, the doctor will take samples from you and have them tested in an endocrinology laboratory.
Your hormones can be determined in more detail with a blood test © Alexander Raths / Fotolia
In women, the hormones FSH, LH, prolactin, progesterone and oestradiol are usually determined.
- FSH, the follicle-stimulating hormone, is produced in the pituitary gland in the brain and stimulates the maturation of the egg in the ovary.
- Luteinizing hormone (LH), on the other hand, promotes ovulation and the formation of the corpus luteum. Like the follicle-stimulating hormone, it regulates reproduction in women.
- The hormone prolactin is also produced in a part of the brain. It stimulates the growth of the mammary glands and ensures a sufficient flow of milk during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- The two sex hormones oestradiol and progesterone play a crucial role in the female cycle.
Various hormones can also be determined in the blood of men. The most important sex hormone in men is testosterone. Among other things, it is responsible for building muscle and also for the production of sperm in the testicles.
The thyroid hormones T3 and T4 and the laboratory value TSH can also be determined in the blood. These provide information about the function of the thyroid gland and are used to diagnose hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.
The hormones progesterone, oestradiol, testosterone and the stress hormone cortisol can also be detected using a saliva test. To do this, the patient salivates into a tube. The saliva sample obtained in this way is examined in an endocrinology laboratory in the same way as the blood sample.
A hormone test is always useful if complaints and symptoms indicate a hormonal imbalance. For example, a hormone test can provide information as to whether a woman is already in the menopause . A hormone test can also provide you with information about the underlying causes of an unfulfilled desire to have children.
Other indications for a hormone test are
- if polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) is suspected
- if you suffer from premenstrual syndrome(PMS)
- in the case of galactorrhea: milk leaks from the mammary glands outside of pregnancy and breastfeeding
- if women have a male-type hair pattern
- suspected hypothyroidism with symptoms of tiredness, fatigue, weight gain and constipation
- if you have signs of hyperthyroidism with weight loss, diarrhea, nervousness or hair loss
Hormone tests are also part of extended cancer screening.
Whether the health insurance company covers the costs of a hormone test depends on the symptoms present. For example, in certain cases of fertility problems, the health insurance company will cover the cost of hormone testing. The insurance company will also pay for the hormone test if you have very severe symptoms during the menopause. You should discuss with your doctor whether and what costs will be incurred. Saliva tests to determine hormone levels are generally not covered by statutory health insurance.
If you are experiencing symptoms that may indicate a hormonal disorder, talk to your doctor about it. The blood and saliva samples can be taken quickly and will give you and your doctor more information about your physical processes. A hormone analysis is particularly important if you are unable to conceive quickly in order to narrow down the reasons for this.
