Marker group

Hormones

Plain-English guides to the hormones markers we measure and what your results mean, written to inform the conversation with your practitioner.

Markers in this group

AndrostenedioneAndrostenedione is an early-stage building-block hormone that the body turns into testosterone and oestrogen. It is made by the adrenal glands (small glands above your kidneys) and by the ovaries or testes. It is usually checked as one part of a wider hormone work-up — for example, when looking into unwanted hair growth or irregular periods — rather than on its own.DHEA-SDHEA-S is an adrenal hormone — made by small glands above your kidneys — that acts as a reservoir the body draws on to make other sex hormones. Both men and women have it. Doctors use it mainly as a window on how those glands are working. It fades naturally as you age, so it is compared to an age-matched range rather than one fixed number.Estradiol (E2)Oestradiol is the main female sex hormone. It naturally rises and falls through the monthly cycle and settles to a lower level after menopause, so there is no one "normal" number — what counts as a healthy result depends on where you are in your cycle and your stage of life. Your result is read against the range on your report for your cycle phase.Free TestosteroneFree testosterone is the small, active part of your testosterone that your body can actually use. Most of your testosterone is gripped onto a carrier protein in your blood and held in reserve, so how much is free depends on how much of that carrier protein you have. That is why this number is read together with your other testosterone results, not on its own.FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)FSH is a brain hormone that tells the ovaries what to do each month — it gets the eggs growing and, with its partner hormone, runs the menstrual cycle. Its level shifts through the month and climbs around menopause, so there is no single "normal" number. Your result is read against where you are in your cycle and your stage of life, just as your GP reads it.Luteinizing Hormone (LH)LH is a brain hormone that tells the ovaries or testes what to do — in women, a mid-month burst of it is the signal that releases an egg. Its level swings a lot through the month, so there is no single "normal" number. Your result only makes sense read against where you are in your cycle and your other hormones, which is exactly how your GP looks at it.ProgesteroneProgesterone is the hormone that prepares the body for pregnancy. It naturally rises in the second half of your monthly cycle, after an egg is released, and falls again if pregnancy does not happen. Because it only climbs after that release, the test is timed to your cycle — usually around day 21 of a 28-day one — so your result is read against where you are in your cycle.ProlactinProlactin is the hormone that triggers breast-milk production, made by a small gland at the base of the brain. A raised level is common and most often comes from certain medicines or a small, usually harmless growth on that gland — and it can even rise just from the stress of the blood test itself. A mildly raised result is usually rechecked before reading much into it.SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin)SHBG is a protein, made by your liver, that carries your sex hormones — mainly testosterone — through the blood and controls how much is free and active. A high SHBG leaves less testosterone available to your body; a low SHBG leaves more. It is read alongside your testosterone, not on its own, so the number only makes sense with the rest of your hormone picture.Total TestosteroneTestosterone is the main male sex hormone, though women make small amounts too. It helps shape sex drive, mood, muscle, and bone in both sexes. Levels naturally swing through the day and differ a lot by sex and age, so there is no one "normal" number — your result is read against the range on your report.

Reading results in this group

a little low

Hormones regulate energy, mood, metabolism, and reproductive health. Levels naturally fluctuate throughout the day and menstrual cycle, so a single result is one data point in a broader picture.

Feeling flat, low energy, or noticing changes in your cycle or mood?

Possible reasons:

This can relate to timing of the test, stress, medicines, or life stage.

Next steps: Discuss with your GP. They may suggest repeat testing at a specific cycle day or time for clearer interpretation.

in range

Your hormone levels are in the expected range for your age and circumstances.

Possible reasons:

Consistent timing and stable health often support in-range results.

Next steps: No follow-up is usually needed.

a little high

Higher hormone levels may reflect natural variation, cycle timing, or other factors. Timing of the blood test, menstrual cycle phase, and stress can all influence results.

Noticing mood changes, irregular cycles, or other shifts?

Possible reasons:

This can relate to timing of the test, stress, medicines, or life stage.

Next steps: Discuss with your GP. Cycle timing or time-of-day may guide repeat testing.

Test your hormones

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