Test ID: SB-647 | Sample Type: Saliva + Dried Blood Spot | Technology: LC-MS/MS | Results Time: 3–5 Working Days After Laboratory Receives Sample | Laboratory: ZRT Laboratory – CLIA Certified | Hormone Specialist Doctor Interpretation: Included | Suitable For: Adults and Children | Collect Sample At Home: No Clinic Visit Required
What Does This Test Measure?
Saliva — Sex Hormones & 4-Point Cortisol (LC-MS/MS): Estradiol (E2), Estriol (E3), Estrone (E1), Progesterone, Testosterone, DHEAS, Cortisol (Morning, Noon, Evening, Night).
Blood Spot — Full Thyroid Panel: TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Total T4, TPO Antibodies, Thyroglobulin Antibodies.
13 markers total — a complete picture of female sex hormone balance, adrenal cortisol rhythm, and autoimmune thyroid function in a single at-home kit.
Related Symptoms
Persistent fatigue, unexplained weight gain, PMS, heavy or irregular periods, breast tenderness, perimenopausal or menopausal symptoms (hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness), low libido, brain fog, low mood, anxiety, insomnia, hair thinning, dry skin, feeling cold, acne, excess facial hair, fertility difficulties, or symptoms of thyroid dysfunction with inconclusive standard blood results.
Who Should Consider This Test?
- Persistent fatigue or exhaustion that does not improve with sleep or rest
- Unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight despite diet and exercise
- PMS, heavy, irregular, or absent periods
- Breast tenderness, bloating, or mood swings in the second half of the cycle
- Perimenopausal or menopausal symptoms: hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, low mood
- Low libido or reduced sexual interest
- Brain fog, poor concentration, or memory issues
- Anxiety, irritability, or emotional volatility
- Insomnia, night waking, or unrefreshing sleep
- Hair thinning, dry skin, or brittle nails
- Feeling cold all the time or temperature sensitivity
- Acne, excess facial hair, or scalp hair loss
- Fertility difficulties or recurrent miscarriage
- Diagnosed or suspected PCOS or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
- Currently on HRT, the contraceptive pill, or thyroid medication and wanting a full hormonal picture
- Chronic stress or burnout
Why This Test Is Particularly Important for Women
- All three estrogens together reveal the full picture — Estradiol (E2) is the dominant premenopausal estrogen; Estriol (E3) reflects estrogen conversion and tissue activity; Estrone (E1) becomes the dominant estrogen after menopause; measuring all three reveals dominance, deficiency, and conversion patterns that E2 alone cannot show
- Progesterone is the essential counterbalance to estrogen — low progesterone relative to estrogen (estrogen dominance) drives PMS, heavy periods, breast tenderness, anxiety, insomnia, and weight gain; caused by chronic stress, anovulation, and perimenopause
- Cortisol suppresses progesterone and thyroid T3 conversion simultaneously — chronic stress is one of the most common causes of progesterone deficiency, estrogen dominance, and hypothyroid-like symptoms in women
- The full thyroid panel catches what TSH alone misses — cortisol suppresses T4-to-T3 conversion; Hashimoto’s (detected by TPO and Tg antibodies) can be present for years before TSH becomes abnormal; estrogen affects thyroid-binding globulin; FT3, FT4, TT4, and both antibodies are all required for a complete assessment
- DHEAS is the adrenal androgen precursor — declining from the mid-30s and directly linked to fatigue, low libido, worsening perimenopausal symptoms, and poor stress resilience
Not Sure Which Test Is Right for You?
Email us at info@hormonelab.co.uk with your gender, age, symptoms, medications, and any current treatments. We will forward your enquiry to our doctors and respond within 24 hours.
How It Works
- Order your kit — delivered directly to your door
- Collect saliva at four time points (morning before 9am, noon, evening, night) and blood spot via finger-prick. Guidance on optimal cycle timing is included
- Post your samples to ZRT Laboratory using the return instructions provided
- Receive your full report by email within 3–5 working days
What You Receive
- All 13 marker results with female-specific reference ranges
- Visual charts for all seven saliva hormones, your full 4-point cortisol curve, and the full thyroid panel
- Clinical interpretation of how your estrogens, progesterone, cortisol, and thyroid markers interact
- Integrated interpretation by a Hormone Specialist PhD Doctor
- Personalised next-step recommendations
- 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.
- Pioneers of at-home dried blood spot (DBS) and saliva hormone testing
- Advanced LC-MS/MS technology for clinical-grade accuracy
- Qualified for the CDC Hormone Standardization (HoSt) Program
- 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 people across the UK and Europe — from the comfort of home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why measure all three estrogens?
Measuring only Estradiol (E2) gives an incomplete picture. Estrone (E1) is the dominant postmenopausal estrogen and drives estrogen-dominant symptoms in older women; Estriol (E3) reflects estrogen metabolism and tissue activity. Together the three values reveal dominance, deficiency, and conversion pathway dysfunction that E2 alone cannot assess.
When in my cycle should I collect my samples?
Guidance on optimal cycle timing is included in the kit. For most women, collection in the luteal phase (days 19–21 of a 28-day cycle) provides the most clinically useful progesterone and estrogen values.
Why is TSH alone not enough?
TSH measures the pituitary signal to the thyroid, not the active hormone reaching cells. Cortisol-driven T3 suppression produces functional hypothyroidism with a normal TSH. Hashimoto’s causes progressive thyroid damage for years before TSH becomes abnormal. Both patterns are invisible to TSH alone.
Can I use this test if I am on HRT, the contraceptive pill, or thyroid medication?
Yes. HRT and the pill significantly affect estrogen, progesterone, and thyroid binding — which is precisely why a comprehensive panel is more informative than standard blood tests for women on hormonal treatment.
Why saliva instead of blood for sex hormones?
Saliva measures bioavailable (free, active) hormones — the fraction actually reaching your cells. Blood tests measure total hormone including the bound, inactive fraction, which can mask imbalances most relevant to symptoms. Saliva LC-MS/MS is the gold standard for assessing bioavailable sex hormones and cortisol.
Does the price include the laboratory fee?
Yes. The full laboratory analysis fee is included. There are no additional charges. You are only responsible for posting your samples to the laboratory.
How long is the kit valid for?
The kit must be used within 12 months of the purchase date.
