Description
Female hormone results are only interpretable if the sample is taken at the right point in your cycle. Timing is not a detail here — it determines whether the test means anything at all.
What this test measures
FSH, LH, oestradiol and prolactin.
Who it is for
- Irregular, absent or changing periods
- Symptoms suggesting perimenopause
- Questions about fertility
- Suspected PCOS
- Unexplained milky nipple discharge, which prolactin assesses
Preparing for your test — timing matters
Sample on day 2 to 5 of your cycle, counting the first day of full flow as day 1. FSH, LH and oestradiol are interpreted against early-follicular reference ranges; a sample taken mid-cycle will not compare meaningfully.
If your periods have stopped entirely, sample any day. Take prolactin samples in the morning, avoiding stress, exercise and breast stimulation beforehand, all of which raise it transiently.
Worth knowing
Hormonal contraception suppresses these hormones and generally makes the test uninterpretable. If you are on the combined pill, the implant, the injection or a hormonal coil, tell us when you register — it may be worth deferring the test.
What happens next
Once the laboratory reports, a GP registered with the Irish Medical Council reviews your result alongside the information you gave us and explains what it means in plain English. GP review is included in the price — we do not release raw numbers without interpretation.
Important limitations
This is a screening test, not a diagnosis. A result in range does not rule out every cause of a symptom, and a result out of range does not by itself confirm a condition. If you feel unwell, see a doctor in person regardless of what this test shows. This service is not for emergencies — call 112 or 999 if you are seriously unwell.
