Hormone #2 Essential Blood Test Panel, Women

Quick Facts

• Sample: Blood
• Fasting: No fasting is required. Stop biotin consumption at least 72 hours prior to collection. Collection should not occur during or after administration of heparin.
• Turnaround: 4-7 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.

What's Included

Sex Hormones

• Estradiol: The primary form of estrogen during the reproductive years, produced mainly by the ovaries and in smaller amounts by the testes and other tissues. Helps regulate reproductive function, menstrual cycles, and bone health.
• Progesterone: Measures a hormone that helps prepare the body for pregnancy.

Adrenal Hormones

• Cortisol: Measures a hormone made by the adrenal glands.
• DHEA Sulfate (DHEA,S):  An androgen hormone produced primarily by the adrenal glands that serves as a precursor to testosterone and estrogen. Helps evaluate adrenal function and investigate abnormal androgen levels.

Testosterone

• Testosterone, Total: The total amount of testosterone in the blood, including testosterone bound to proteins and testosterone circulating freely.
• Testosterone, Free: The portion of testosterone circulating in the blood that is not bound to proteins and is available to enter cells and exert biological effects.

Thyroid Panel

• TSH: A hormone produced by the pituitary gland that regulates thyroid hormone production. Helps evaluate thyroid function and identify potential thyroid disorders.
• T4 (Thyroxine), Total and Free: The total amount of thyroxine in the blood, including protein-bound and free T4. Helps regulate metabolism, energy production, and body temperature.
• T3 Uptake: An indirect measurement of thyroid hormone-binding protein availability, used to calculate the Free T4 Index (FTI). Does not directly measure T3 levels.
• Free T4 Index (T7): A calculated value derived from total T4 and T3 uptake that estimates free thyroid hormone availability while accounting for binding protein changes.
• Triiodothyronine (T3), Free: The unbound, biologically active form of the thyroid hormone T3 that helps regulate metabolism, energy production, and body temperature. Helps evaluate thyroid function, particularly when hyperthyroidism is suspected.

Growth Factor

• Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (IGF-1): A hormone produced primarily by the liver in response to growth hormone that supports bone and tissue growth, cell development, and metabolism. Helps evaluate growth hormone activity and identify potential growth hormone disorders.
• Z Score: Included with IGF-1 (not included in LabCorp).

Benefits

• Review key hormone markers in one convenient blood draw.
• See estradiol and progesterone levels alongside adrenal hormones.
• Check total and free testosterone with DHEA sulfate.
• Evaluate thyroid function with TSH, T4, and T3 measurements.
• Get results online to share with your healthcare provider.

Who Is This Test For?

• Women experiencing symptoms related to menopause.
• Women who suspect a hormone imbalance.
• Women with irregular periods or changes in their cycle.
• Women noticing mood changes, sleep trouble, or hot flashes.
• Women looking for a baseline view of their hormone levels.

How It Works

1. Order Your Test Online
2. Visit a Local Lab
3. Get Results Online

FAQ

1. Do I need to fast or prepare for this test?

Fasting is not required. Stop biotin consumption at least 72 hours prior to collection. Collection should not occur during or after administration of heparin.

2. How quickly will I get results?

Expect results in 4-7 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.

3. What can my results tell me?

Together, these measurements give you a look at several hormone systems at once: reproductive hormones, adrenal hormones, androgens, thyroid function, and IGF-1. Viewing them side by side can show how different parts of your hormonal picture relate to one another. The panel is a screening tool, so it supports a conversation with your provider rather than delivering a conclusion on its own.

4. How do I interpret the results?

Meaning comes from patterns across your results, not from a single number. Each marker offers a different kind of information, and values need not shift together. Your symptoms, medical history, medications, and preparation can all shape how results are read, as can the lab's methodology. Sharing your full report with a qualified healthcare provider helps put each value in context.

Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.

5. What should I do if my results are abnormal?

Start by scheduling a review with a qualified healthcare provider. An out-of-range value is not a diagnosis, and it does not automatically call for treatment. Your provider can look at the full set of results together and decide whether any further evaluation makes sense for you.

Pre-test preparation

No fasting is required. Stop biotin consumption at least 72 hours prior to collection. Collection should not occur during or after administration of heparin.

Do not stop prescribed medication unless instructed by your healthcare provider.