Sex hormones

Sex hormones regulate not only the reproductive system, but also directly affect bone density, cardiovascular health, general metabolism and emotional balance. Hormone balance is a dynamic, sensitive process that changes at different stages of life. For this reason, their tests are an essential tool for diagnosing fertility problems, planning a pregnancy, performing a prenatal check-up or assessing well-being during menopause (women) and andropause (men).

Comprehensive hormone tests carried out in our clinic help to identify even minimal deviations from the norm. This allows expert doctors to select targeted medical treatment, safe replacement therapy or individual lifestyle and nutritional correction.

What is important to know before doing research?

The concentration of hormones in the body is constantly fluctuating, therefore, in order to obtain accurate and clinically significant results, it is necessary to follow the following rules:

• For women (depending on the cycle): The concentration of sex hormones in the blood depends on the phase of the menstrual cycle. The tests must be performed exactly on the days indicated by the doctor (for example, basic tests for FSH, LH, E2 are usually performed on the 3rd-5th day of the cycle, and progesterone – after ovulation, on the 21st-23rd day of the cycle).

• For men (daily rhythm): For men, it is recommended to check sex hormones (especially testosterone) in the morning, before 10 a.m., when its level in the body is naturally the highest.

• General conditions: Blood for testing is taken in the morning, fasting, at rest, avoiding intense sports or high stress the night before.

Sex hormones and pregnancy tests are performed at the clinic

In our laboratory, we offer a comprehensive range of hormonal tests and prenatal risk assessment (service rates vary depending on the patient’s registration and insurance status at the clinic):

Reproductive system and fertility hormones

• FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) and LH (Luteinizing Hormone): Hormones produced by the pituitary gland that regulate the activity of the ovaries and testicles. Their ratio and concentration is the main indicator for evaluating fertility, ovulation processes or the onset of menopause.

• E2 (Estradiol): The main female sex hormone responsible for ovarian function, menstrual cycle, preparation of the mucous membrane for pregnancy and bone strength.

• PRG (Progesterone): A hormone necessary for the successful establishment of pregnancy in the uterus and its maintenance. The test helps to objectively confirm whether ovulation occurred during the cycle.

• PRL (Prolactin): Regulates lactation (milk production), but its pathological increase (hyperprolactinemia) outside of pregnancy can become the cause of infertility, cycle dysregulation, weight gain or frequent headaches.

• AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone): A critically important indicator for women, which allows for an objective assessment of the ovarian reserve (available egg potential) when planning a family or before artificial insemination (AI) procedures.

Androgens (male hormones) and their compounds

• TESTO (Testosterone): Important for both sexes. It affects the ratio of muscle to fat mass, energy level, bone density, libido and overall tone of the body.

• SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin): A protein that binds sex hormones in the blood, rendering them temporarily inactive.

• LAI (Free Androgen Index): A mathematical indicator automatically calculated from the value of total testosterone and SHBG tests. It shows the actual concentration of biologically active (free) testosterone, which is essential in the diagnosis of male pattern baldness (hirsutism) or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCS) in women.

• DHEA-S (Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) and Androstenedione: Precursors of male hormones produced by the adrenal glands and gonads. Their examination helps to determine the origin of increased hairiness, acne, infertility or early puberty.

Pregnancy diagnostics and early prenatal screening

• HCG (chorionic gonadotropin): A specific pregnancy hormone, the quantification of which in the blood allows you to confirm pregnancy at an earlier stage than conventional urine tests, as well as accurately follow the dynamics of its development in the first weeks.

• E3 (Estriol free): An important hormone of the estrogen group, the concentration of which increases rapidly during pregnancy and reflects the state of the fetus and placenta.

• PAPP-A (Pregnancy plasma protein A) and fBC (Free beta human chorionic gonadotropin): Specific proteins and hormones of the first trimester of pregnancy used to assess the risk of early genetic disorders.

• PRISCA I and PRISCA II prenatal risk studies: Complex risk calculations are performed by a computer program in the first (I) and second (II) trimesters of pregnancy, respectively. By combining the results of the tests of these specific hormones (PAPP-A, fBC, HCG, free estriol) with fetal ultrasound data and the mother’s age, the individual probability of the most common fetal genetic anomalies (Down’s, Edwards’ or Patau’s syndromes) is calculated.

Additional specialized indicators

• TT (Troponin T): Highly specific marker of damage to the heart muscle (myocardium). Although it is not a sex hormone, it is used in the clinic for urgent diagnostics to rule out or confirm acute myocardial infarction in case of vague chest pains or general weakness of the body.

When is sex hormone testing recommended?

Hormonal balance should be checked in the laboratory if the following signs are observed:

• For women: irregular menstrual cycle, complete disappearance of periods (amenorrhea), extremely painful, heavy or, on the contrary, abnormally scanty periods.

• Difficulties in getting pregnant – without finding the cause for more than a year (in this case, it is recommended to carry out a comprehensive hormonal analysis for both partners at the same time).

• Sudden, severe mood swings, emotional lability, constant fatigue, sleep disturbances or episodes of depressed mood.

• If you notice changes in appearance: sudden weight gain (especially in the abdominal area) without changes in diet, chronic rashes (acne) in adulthood, or increased body hair in unusual places in women.

• For men: markedly reduced sex drive (libido), erectile dysfunction, loss of muscle mass or general physical inactivity.

• Suffering from severe hot flashes, profuse night sweats and other uncomfortable menopausal symptoms.

Our clinic’s expert doctors will help you to correctly coordinate the time of the tests, explain the obtained laboratory data in an understandable way and create an individual plan to restore your body’s hormonal balance and a great feeling of well-being.