Test ID: SB-642 | Sample Type: Dried Blood Spot + Saliva | 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?
Blood Spot - Thyroid Panel: TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Total T4, TPO Antibodies, Thyroglobulin Antibodies.
Blood Spot - CardioMetabolic Panel: Fasting Insulin, HbA1c, HDL Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Total Cholesterol, hsCRP.
Saliva - 4-Point Cortisol Profile: Morning, Noon, Evening, and Night Cortisol.
13 markers total - a clinically complete picture of thyroid, metabolic, cardiovascular, and adrenal health for women in a single at-home kit.
Related Symptoms
Persistent fatigue, unexplained weight gain, brain fog, low mood, anxiety, cold intolerance, dry skin, hair thinning, irregular or heavy periods, perimenopausal or menopausal symptoms, PCOS, insomnia, night sweats, sugar cravings, elevated cholesterol or triglycerides, chronic stress, or burnout.
Who Should Consider This Test?
- Persistent fatigue or exhaustion that does not improve with rest or sleep
- Unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight
- Brain fog, poor concentration, or low mood
- Cold intolerance, dry skin, or hair thinning
- Irregular or heavy periods, or fertility difficulties
- Perimenopausal or menopausal symptoms
- PCOS or symptoms associated with insulin resistance
- Sugar cravings, energy crashes, or elevated cholesterol or triglycerides on previous testing
- Insomnia, night sweats, or unrefreshing sleep
- Chronic stress or burnout
- On HRT, the contraceptive pill, or levothyroxine and wanting comprehensive monitoring
- Diagnosed or suspected Hashimoto's thyroiditis, hypothyroidism, or autoimmune thyroid disease
- Family history of thyroid disease, heart disease, diabetes, or metabolic syndrome
Why This Test Is Particularly Important for Women
- Thyroid disease is up to 10 times more common in women than men - yet it is frequently misattributed to stress, depression, or perimenopause, with TSH alone missing the majority of clinically relevant thyroid dysfunction
- Cortisol suppresses T4-to-T3 conversion, oestrogen decline raises cardiovascular risk, and insulin resistance worsens across hormonal transitions - all three systems are interconnected and must be assessed together
- Hashimoto's thyroiditis is directly worsened by elevated cortisol and insulin resistance, and is present in women for years before TSH becomes abnormal
- Fasting insulin is the earliest detectable marker of insulin resistance - elevated years before HbA1c becomes abnormal, and directly driven by cortisol excess, PCOS, and oestrogen decline in women
- HRT and the contraceptive pill affect thyroid hormone binding and lipid profiles - making the combined panel essential for women on hormonal treatment
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 your blood spot via finger-prick and saliva at four time points across the day (morning before 9am, noon, evening, night); cycle timing guidance 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 your cortisol curve, thyroid panel, and cardiometabolic markers
- Written 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 test thyroid, cortisol, and cardiometabolic markers together?
In women, these systems are tightly interconnected through oestrogen, progesterone, and insulin. Cortisol suppresses T3 conversion; insulin resistance worsens with cortisol elevation and oestrogen decline; cardiovascular risk rises as thyroid and metabolic function deteriorates. Testing all together reveals the root cause in a single kit.
Can I use this test if I am on HRT, the contraceptive pill, or levothyroxine?
Yes. HRT and the pill affect thyroid hormone binding and lipid profiles, which is precisely why a comprehensive panel including FT3, FT4, and TT4 provides more useful information than TSH alone. Follow the timing guidance in your kit.
When should I collect my samples during my cycle?
Guidance on optimal cycle timing for both the blood spot and saliva samples is included in the kit instructions.
How accurate is the cortisol measurement?
Saliva cortisol is measured using LC-MS/MS - the gold standard for bioavailable hormone measurement, reflecting the free active fraction rather than total bound 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.
