Female Comprehensive Hormone Profile I | 8 Hormones inc. Cortisol & DHEA-S

Test ID: B-242 | Sample Type: Dried Blood Spot | Test Method: LC-MS/MS | Results: 3–5 Working Days | Laboratory: ZRT Laboratory – CLIA Certified | Report: Specialist Doctor Comment Included | Suitable For: Women | Collect Sample At Home: No Clinic Visit Required

What This Test Measures

Eight essential hormones from a single finger-prick dried blood spot 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 estradiol and progesterone balance
• SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) — determines how much estradiol and testosterone is biologically available to your tissues

Could a Hormone Imbalance Be Behind Your Symptoms?

Female hormonal health is rarely a single-hormone issue — estradiol, 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

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.

Who Should Consider This Test?

• Symptoms of perimenopause or menopause — hot flushes, night sweats, low mood
• PMS, irregular cycles, or fertility concerns
• Persistent fatigue, low libido, or unexplained weight gain
• Normal standard blood tests but ongoing hormonal symptoms
• Monitoring hormone levels during or after HRT or hormone therapy
• Wanting a proactive, data-driven baseline of overall female hormonal health

How It Works

1. Order your kit — delivered to your door
2. Collect your sample at home — a simple finger-prick dried blood spot; no clinic or GP visit needed
3. Post your sample to ZRT Laboratory using the return instructions provided
4. Receive your results by email within 3–5 working days of the lab receiving your sample

What You Receive

• All eight hormone levels displayed clearly in graphics and numbers with sex-specific reference ranges
• Written interpretation by a Hormone Specialist PhD Doctor
• Guidance on what your results mean and what to do next
• Laboratory fee included — no hidden charges

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. ZRT is qualified for the CDC Hormone Standardization (HoSt) Program for testosterone and estradiol.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to collect my sample?
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. Postmenopausal women or those with irregular cycles can collect at any time. Detailed timing guidance is included with your kit.

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 estradiol 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 estradiol and progesterone, which will be reflected in your results.

Does the price include the laboratory fee?
Yes. The full laboratory analysis fee is included. You are only responsible for posting your sample to the laboratory.

How long is the kit valid for?
The kit must be used within 12 months of the purchase date.