Blood Tests for Hormones
Doctors often perform blood tests to determine if a person’s hormone levels are normal or if there is a problem. Doctors may check hormone levels if a person is going through menopause, puberty, fertility, and other conditions. The test is painless aside from the prick of a needle and only takes a few minutes to complete. Once the blood test results come back, doctors can read them and determine if the patient needs treatment.
Who May Need Blood Tests for Hormones?
While hormones play a big role in women’s health, they are also important to men and even children. There are many different types of hormones and if there is a problem with any hormone, a person may not feel well or may experience other health problems. Anyone can take a blood test for hormones. People who have symptoms of hormone disorders like , couples who are struggling with fertility, and children who have hit puberty to late or too early, often undergo testing to make sure their hormone levels are normal. Some common diseases that could be diagnosed with hormone testing include
- Diabetes: Checking for blood glucose
- Hypoglycemia: Checking for Insulin levels
- Thyroid disease: Thyroid Profile – TSH, T4, T3
- Infertility: Checking for Testosterone, FSH, LH
- Growth Issues: Checking for Growth hormone
Preparing for a Blood Test for Hormones
Most people do not have to prepare for a blood test for hormones. Doctors may examine them to make sure they are healthy and can give a blood sample before testing. Some patients may be advised to eat a healthy meal before the blood test. This will ensure that they do not feel sick or lightheaded during the procedure.
During the Blood Test for Hormones
During the blood test, the patient will be brought into a room and asked to sit on a chair. The patient may lean on a table or put his or her arm on an armrest so that blood can easily be drawn. The doctor will use a needle to puncture the skin and withdraw blood from a vein. In most cases, only a small amount of blood will be taken for the test. Patients who feel lightheaded during the test may be offered orange juice or a snack after to help them feel better faster.
Recovery from Blood Tests For Hormones
The process of drawing blood and testing the hormone levels of a patient is simple. Most people do not have any problems with the procedure and do not have to recover at all. Patients who feel sick after giving blood or faint in the middle of the procedure may need to rest and eat or drink something before and afterward to help them recover faster. Some patients are even allowed to rest on a clinical bed if needed. Doctors monitor their patients carefully to make sure there are no complications.
Blood Tests for Hormones Results
Doctors should get the results of the test within a few days. They can tell which hormone levels are high and which ones are low. This test can help doctors determine if a patient’s health problems are associated with their hormones levels. The test can also help doctors come up with a treatment plan that includes restoring normal hormone levels.
