Test ID: B-242 | Sample Type: Dried Blood Spot | Test Method: LC-MS/MS | Results: 3–5 Working Days | Laboratory: ZRT Lab — CLIA Certified
Could a Hormone Imbalance Be Behind Your Symptoms?
Female hormonal health is rarely a single-hormone issue — oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, DHEA-S, and SHBG all interact in a complex system. When one is off, the whole system is affected. If you recognise any of the following, this comprehensive panel could reveal the root cause:
- Hot flushes or night sweats
- Irregular, heavy, or painful periods
- Persistent fatigue or low energy
- Low libido or vaginal dryness
- Mood swings, anxiety, or depression
- Brain fog, poor concentration, or memory lapses
- Sleep disturbances or insomnia
- Unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight
- Bloating or PMS symptoms
- Fertility concerns or irregular ovulation
- Headaches, dizziness, or burnout
- Decreased stamina or mental fatigue
What This Test Measures
This panel tests eight essential hormones using highly accurate LC-MS/MS technology:
- Estrone (E1) – A post-menopausal oestrogen; elevated levels may indicate oestrogen dominance
- Estradiol (E2) – The primary reproductive oestrogen; key for cycle regulation, bone density, and mood
- Estriol (E3) – A weaker oestrogen that helps assess overall oestrogen balance, especially during perimenopause
- Progesterone (Pg) – Essential for cycle balance, fertility, and counteracting oestrogen dominance
- Testosterone (T) – Important for libido, energy, and muscle tone in women
- DHEA-S (DS) – An adrenal hormone that declines with age; linked to vitality, mood, and immune function
- Cortisol (C) – The stress hormone; chronically elevated cortisol disrupts oestrogen and progesterone balance
- SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) – Determines how much oestrogen and testosterone is biologically available to your tissues
Why a Comprehensive Panel Matters
Hormonal imbalance in women is frequently misdiagnosed or dismissed. Symptoms like fatigue, low mood, weight gain, and irregular cycles are often attributed to stress or lifestyle — when the root cause may be hormonal. A single hormone test rarely tells the full story. This panel gives you a complete picture, enabling more informed conversations with your GP or specialist.
How It Works
- Order your kit — delivered to your door
- Collect your sample at home — a simple finger-prick blood spot; no clinic or GP visit needed
- Post your sample to our CLIA-certified laboratory using the instructions provided
- Receive your results by email within 3–5 working days of the lab receiving your sample
What You Get With Your Results
Your personalised report includes:
- All eight hormone levels displayed clearly in graphics and numbers
- A written interpretation by a Hormone Specialist PhD Doctor
- Guidance on what your results mean and what to do next
View a Sample Test Result Report
Who Is This Test For?
This test is suitable for women who want to:
- Investigate symptoms of perimenopause, menopause, PMS, or hormonal imbalance
- Understand why they feel unwell despite normal standard blood tests
- Assess fertility-related hormones alongside stress and adrenal markers
- Monitor hormone levels during or after HRT or other hormone therapy
- Take a proactive, data-driven approach to their hormonal health
Key Information
- Collect your sample from home and post to our lab — no clinic visit required
- Results delivered by email within 3–5 working days
- Laboratory fee included — no hidden costs or additional charges
- Valid for 12 months from the date of purchase
- Analysed by ZRT Laboratory — CLIA certified, with over 11 million tests performed
- Customers are responsible for posting their sample to the laboratory
Why We Use ZRT Laboratory
All testing is performed by ZRT Laboratory — a globally recognised, CLIA-certified diagnostic laboratory founded in 1998 by Dr. David Zava, PhD. ZRT has performed over 11 million tests and is trusted by healthcare professionals in 96+ countries.
- Pioneers of at-home dried blood spot (DBS) hormone testing
- Advanced LC-MS/MS and ICP-MS technology for clinical-grade accuracy
- Qualified for the CDC Hormone Standardization (HoSt) Program for testosterone and estradiol
- Personalised reference ranges based on age and sex
Through our partnership with ZRT Laboratory, Hormone Lab UK delivers internationally recognised, research-backed hormone testing to women across the UK and Europe — from the comfort of home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hormones does this test measure?
Eight hormones from a single blood spot: Estrone (E1), Estradiol (E2), Estriol (E3), Progesterone, Testosterone, DHEA-S, Cortisol, and SHBG — providing a complete picture of oestrogen balance, adrenal function, and hormonal availability.
When is the best time to take this test?
For women with a regular cycle, days 19–21 (counting from the first day of your period) captures the mid-luteal peak when progesterone is most informative. Post-menopausal women or those with irregular cycles can collect at any time.
How accurate is this test compared to a standard NHS blood test?
This test uses LC-MS/MS — the same gold-standard technology used in specialist hospitals, and more sensitive than standard NHS immunoassay methods, particularly for oestrogen fractions and testosterone in women.
What does it mean if my oestrogen is high but my progesterone is low?
This is oestrogen dominance — one of the most common hormonal imbalances in women. It can cause heavy periods, bloating, breast tenderness, mood swings, and weight gain. Your specialist report will explain what your specific levels mean and what steps to consider.
Is this test suitable for women on HRT or the contraceptive pill?
Yes. HRT monitoring is one of the most common uses for this panel. If you are on the combined contraceptive pill, note that synthetic hormones can suppress natural oestrogen and progesterone, which will be reflected in your results.
What is SHBG and why does it matter?
SHBG binds to oestrogen and testosterone, making them unavailable to your cells. High SHBG can mean that even with normal total hormone levels, your body cannot use them — causing low libido, fatigue, and mood changes. This test measures SHBG alongside your sex hormones for a true picture of hormonal availability.