Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood draw
- Fasting: 12 hours required
- Turn-around: 3–4 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Comprehensive assessment — 21 biomarkers across reproductive, thyroid, adrenal, and metabolic systems
- Skip the doctor's office — order online, visit nearby labs, get results privately
- Advanced accuracy — LC/MS/MS technology ensures precise hormone measurements
- Cost-effective solution — significantly less expensive than traditional healthcare pathways
- Actionable insights — identify root causes of fatigue, weight changes, and mood issues
- Proactive health management — establish baseline levels for future monitoring
Who Is This Test For?
- Women experiencing irregular periods, heavy bleeding, or menstrual concerns
- Those with unexplained fatigue, mood swings, or sleep disturbances
- Women struggling with weight gain or difficulty losing weight
- Those with decreased libido or fertility concerns
- Women in perimenopause or menopause experiencing hormonal changes
- Anyone seeking comprehensive hormonal health assessment for preventive care
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online — purchase your test and receive lab requisition via email
- Visit a lab — fast for 12 hours, then get blood drawn at any nearby collection site
- Get results — receive comprehensive results securely online within 3-4 business days
FAQ
What hormones does this panel test? This comprehensive panel measures 21 biomarkers including estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, DHEA-S, FSH, LH, thyroid hormones, insulin, and vitamin D.
Do I need to fast for this test? Yes, you must fast for at least 12 hours before your blood draw. Only water is allowed during the fasting period.
When is the best time to take this test? The test can be taken at any point in your menstrual cycle. For reproductive hormones, timing may affect interpretation but won't invalidate results.
Can I take this test if I'm on birth control? Yes, but hormonal contraceptives may affect certain hormone levels. Discuss timing with your healthcare provider for optimal interpretation.
What should I do with abnormal results? Share all results with a qualified healthcare provider who can interpret findings within your clinical context and recommend appropriate next steps.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
The Hormone #3 Extreme Blood Test Panel provides a comprehensive evaluation of your hormonal health by measuring 21 critical biomarkers across multiple systems. This advanced panel assesses reproductive hormones (estradiol, progesterone, testosterone), stress hormones (cortisol), thyroid function (TSH, Free T3, Free T4), growth factors (IGF-1), and metabolic markers (insulin, hemoglobin A1c).
Research shows that up to 80% of women experience hormonal imbalances during their lifetime, with many cases remaining undiagnosed for years (Endocrine Society Clinical Guidelines 2024). This comprehensive assessment helps identify underlying causes of symptoms like irregular periods, unexplained fatigue, mood disturbances, and weight changes.
Who would benefit from this test?
This panel is particularly valuable for women experiencing hormonal symptoms or seeking proactive health management. Primary candidates include women with irregular menstrual cycles, fertility concerns, unexplained fatigue, mood swings, or weight changes. It's especially beneficial for those in perimenopause or menopause, women with family histories of hormonal disorders, and individuals with conditions like PCOS, which affects 6-13% of reproductive-aged women globally (WHO Fact Sheet on PCOS 2024).
The test is also recommended for women seeking baseline hormone levels for future comparison, those monitoring existing hormonal conditions, and individuals wanting to optimize their overall health and wellness through comprehensive hormonal assessment.
When should I order the Hormone #3 Extreme Blood Test Panel for Women?
Consider ordering this test if you're experiencing irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, unexplained weight changes, chronic fatigue, sleep disturbances, decreased libido, or unusual hair loss. The panel is also valuable for baseline health assessment, monitoring chronic conditions like PCOS or thyroid dysfunction, and evaluating symptoms that may indicate hormonal imbalances.
Given that thyroid dysfunction affects approximately 1 in 8 women during their lifetime, with risk being 10 times higher than in men (Journal of the American Medical Association 2021), regular hormonal assessment is crucial for early detection and management.
How do I interpret the results?
Results should always be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider who can assess individual biomarkers within your clinical context. The panel provides laboratory reference ranges for each hormone, but interpretation requires consideration of your symptoms, age, menstrual cycle timing, and overall health status.
Hormone: Estradiol
- Normal Range: 43-180 pg/mL
- Low Levels May Indicate: Menopause, ovarian dysfunction
- High Levels May Indicate: Ovarian tumors, pregnancy
Hormone: Progesterone
- Normal Range: 0.1-25 ng/mL
- Low Levels May Indicate: Anovulation, luteal phase defect
- High Levels May Indicate: Ovarian cysts, pregnancy
Hormone: Total Testosterone
- Normal Range: 20-130 ng/dL
- Low Levels May Indicate: Decreased libido, fatigue
- High Levels May Indicate: PCOS, adrenal disorders
Hormone: TSH
- Normal Range: 0.4-4.5 mIU/L
- Low Levels May Indicate: Hyperthyroidism
- High Levels May Indicate: Hypothyroidism
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.
Pre-test preparation
Fast for at least 12 hours before your blood collection, consuming only water during this period. Discontinue biotin supplements 72 hours prior to testing, as biotin can interfere with certain hormone assays (Clinical Chemistry Guidelines 2024).
Avoid testing during acute illness, extreme stress, or immediately after intense exercise, as these factors can temporarily alter hormone levels. While the comprehensive nature of this panel provides valuable information regardless of menstrual cycle phase, consider timing for optimal reproductive hormone interpretation if applicable.
How often should I get tested?
Testing frequency depends on your individual circumstances and health goals. Here are general recommendations:
- Baseline/preventive screening: Every 1-2 years
- Monitoring hormonal symptoms: Every 3-6 months
- Hormone therapy monitoring: Every 3-4 months initially
- PCOS or thyroid conditions: Every 6-12 months
- Perimenopause/menopause: Every 6-12 months
Why early detection matters
Early detection of hormonal imbalances is crucial for preventing long-term health complications and optimizing quality of life. Untreated hormonal imbalances can lead to serious conditions including osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and fertility issues.
Research demonstrates that insulin resistance affects 35-80% of women with PCOS, directly contributing to reproductive dysfunction and increasing type 2 diabetes risk (PMC Study on PCOS and Insulin Resistance 2024). Similarly, untreated thyroid dysfunction can impact heart health, bone density, and cognitive function.
Related tests you may consider
Female Fertility Blood and Urine Test Panel – Combines blood and urine tests to evaluate hormone levels and ovulatory function, helping to assess menstrual cycle regularity, ovarian reserve, and overall reproductive health in women trying to conceive or investigate fertility concerns.
Thyroid Antibodies Blood Test Panel Plus Reverse T3 — includes thyroid antibodies (TPO, thyroglobulin) and reverse T3 for comprehensive thyroid function assessment beyond basic markers.
Cardio Plus Blood Test Panel — offers detailed cardiovascular risk assessment, inflammatory markers, and metabolic function evaluation, particularly valuable for women with insulin resistance concerns.
