Female Hormone & CardioMetabolic Test | Specialist Doctor Report Included

Test ID: SB-651 | Saliva LCMS Hormones 7 with 4-Point Cortisol + Blood Spot CardioMetabolic Panel

The Female Hormone & CardioMetabolic Test is the most comprehensive at-home combined hormone and metabolic health profile available for women, measuring 16 key hormones and markers across three interconnected systems: sex hormone balance, the full daily cortisol rhythm, and cardiometabolic health. It combines saliva LCMS (Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry) sex hormone and cortisol testing with a blood spot cardiometabolic panel — providing the complete picture of how female hormones, stress physiology, and metabolic function interact to determine energy, body composition, cardiovascular risk, and long-term health.

What makes this test uniquely valuable for women is the clinical connection it reveals. Cortisol, oestrogen, progesterone, and insulin do not operate in isolation — they form a tightly coupled metabolic-hormonal network in which disruption to one system cascades directly through the others. Cortisol drives insulin resistance and visceral fat. Insulin resistance increases aromatase activity and oestrogen dominance. Oestrogen decline after menopause raises LDL, reduces HDL, increases triglycerides, and elevates hsCRP. And progesterone deficiency — worsened by cortisol — allows all of these processes to accelerate. This test measures the full network in a single kit, revealing root causes that single-system tests consistently miss.

Test from home with confidence — no clinic visit required. Results within 3–5 working days.

Why Female Hormones and Cardiometabolic Health Must Be Assessed Together

In women, sex hormones and metabolic markers are not separate health concerns — they are mechanistically linked:

• Oestrogen is the primary cardiovascular protector in women — and its decline is the primary cardiovascular risk driver — oestradiol supports HDL cholesterol, suppresses LDL oxidation, maintains vascular elasticity, and inhibits systemic inflammation via hsCRP; as oestradiol declines in perimenopause and menopause, HDL falls, LDL rises, triglycerides increase, and hsCRP elevates in a predictable pattern that raises cardiovascular disease risk to match or exceed that of men — yet women are far less likely to be monitored or treated
• Cortisol is the primary driver of insulin resistance and visceral fat in women — chronic cortisol elevation impairs insulin receptor sensitivity, drives glucose into storage as abdominal fat, raises triglycerides, suppresses HDL, and elevates hsCRP; simultaneously, cortisol suppresses progesterone — creating oestrogen dominance — and depletes DHEAS, accelerating the hormonal ageing process that worsens metabolic risk
• Insulin resistance is hormonally amplified in women at every life stage — PCOS is defined by insulin resistance even in lean women; the luteal phase naturally reduces insulin sensitivity under progesterone influence; perimenopause removes oestrogen’s insulin-sensitising effect; and postmenopause creates a sustained insulin-resistant state that raises HbA1c, fasting insulin, triglycerides, and cardiovascular risk simultaneously
• hsCRP connects the hormonal and metabolic systems in women — elevated C-reactive protein in women reflects the convergence of cortisol dysregulation, insulin resistance, visceral fat, oestrogen decline, and DHEAS depletion; it is a stronger independent predictor of cardiovascular disease in women than LDL cholesterol, and is directly modifiable through hormonal and metabolic intervention
• DHEAS and progesterone are the anti-inflammatory, anti-metabolic-ageing hormones in women — both decline under chronic stress; low DHEAS reduces the androgen and oestrogen precursor pool available to peripheral tissues; low progesterone allows oestrogen dominance to drive inflammation and fat storage; together their depletion accelerates insulin resistance, cardiovascular risk, and the hormonal deterioration of perimenopause

What This Test Measures

Saliva LCMS — Sex Hormones

• Oestradiol (E2): The primary and most potent oestrogen in premenopausal women — driving reproductive health, bone density, cardiovascular protection, insulin sensitivity, and mood stability. Declining E2 in perimenopause triggers hot flushes, night sweats, low mood, and the cardiometabolic risk shift that characterises the postmenopausal years. Measured by LCMS for bioavailable (free) fraction accuracy.
• Oestriol (E3): Reflects oestrogen conversion pathways and metabolic activity. E3 is a product of oestrogen and progesterone metabolism; its ratio relative to E2 and E1 provides insight into how oestrogen is being processed and whether protective conversion pathways are functioning optimally.
• Oestrone (E1): The dominant postmenopausal oestrogen, produced by conversion of androgens in adipose tissue. Elevated E1 in women with higher body fat or on HRT can drive oestrogen-dominant symptoms and proliferative risk; declining E1 in lean postmenopausal women reflects the total oestrogenic deficit that drives cardiometabolic vulnerability.
• Progesterone (Pg): The essential counterbalance to oestrogen and a key anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective hormone in women. Progesterone supports insulin sensitivity, reduces vascular inflammation, inhibits cortisol-driven fat storage, and promotes restorative sleep. Low progesterone — from anovulation, chronic stress, luteal phase deficiency, or perimenopause — worsens oestrogen dominance, raises hsCRP, and accelerates cardiometabolic risk.
• Testosterone (T): Essential in women for energy, libido, muscle mass, and metabolic rate. Low testosterone is associated with fatigue, low libido, poor exercise response, and reduced lean mass; elevated testosterone (as in PCOS) drives insulin resistance, visceral fat, and cardiometabolic risk directly. LCMS measures the bioavailable fraction for clinical accuracy.
• DHEAS (DS): The primary adrenal androgen precursor in women, declining from the mid-30s and depleted under chronic stress. Low DHEAS is associated with fatigue, reduced testosterone precursor availability, poor stress resilience, and accelerated metabolic ageing. DHEAS has direct anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitising effects — making its decline a significant contributor to the metabolic deterioration of perimenopause and beyond.

Saliva — 4-Point Cortisol Profile

• Morning Cortisol: The Cortisol Awakening Response — sets blood sugar, insulin sensitivity, and hormonal tone for the day. A blunted morning response signals HPA burnout and impaired metabolic activation; an exaggerated response drives morning blood sugar dysregulation, progesterone suppression, and insulin resistance from the first hours of the day.
• Noon Cortisol: Elevated noon cortisol in women drives blood sugar instability, afternoon energy crashes, sugar cravings, and visceral fat deposition. Simultaneously impairs T4-to-T3 thyroid conversion, suppresses progesterone, and raises triglycerides — effects amplified in the luteal phase and during perimenopause.
• Evening Cortisol: Should be declining to allow progesterone, melatonin, and growth hormone to rise — supporting overnight metabolic restoration, anti-inflammatory repair, and hormonal recovery. Elevated evening cortisol in women prevents this shift, maintaining the catabolic, insulin-resistant state into the night.
• Night Cortisol: Elevated night cortisol drives overnight blood sugar dysregulation, suppresses the deep sleep during which growth hormone mediates overnight fat metabolism, and prevents the anti-inflammatory resolution that should occur during sleep — directly elevating fasting insulin and hsCRP in women.

Blood Spot — CardioMetabolic Panel

• Fasting Insulin: The earliest detectable marker of insulin resistance in women — elevated years before HbA1c or fasting glucose becomes abnormal. In women, fasting insulin is directly driven by cortisol excess, low progesterone, oestrogen decline, and PCOS. Elevated fasting insulin promotes visceral fat, raises triglycerides, suppresses HDL, and is the primary driver of the PCOS hormonal cycle in women.
• HbA1c (Glycated Haemoglobin): Reflects average blood sugar regulation over the preceding 8–12 weeks. Women’s risk of pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes rises markedly in perimenopause and postmenopause as oestrogen’s insulin-sensitising effects are lost; HbA1c provides the medium-term blood sugar picture that contextualises the fasting insulin result.
• HDL Cholesterol: The protective cardiovascular fraction directly supported by oestradiol. HDL falls significantly after menopause as oestrogen declines, removing a key cardiovascular protection. Low HDL is also a primary metabolic syndrome marker in women — directly worsened by insulin resistance, visceral fat, and cortisol elevation.
• Triglycerides: Strongly associated with cortisol elevation, insulin resistance, and oestrogen decline in women. Triglycerides often rise before LDL changes and are a primary cardiometabolic risk marker — particularly relevant for perimenopausal, postmenopausal, and PCOS women.
• Total Cholesterol: Provides overall lipid context. Rising total cholesterol in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women is a direct, predictable consequence of declining oestradiol and requires integrated hormonal and metabolic assessment.
• hsCRP (High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein): The gold standard systemic inflammation marker and a stronger independent predictor of cardiovascular disease in women than LDL cholesterol. Elevated hsCRP in women reflects the convergence of cortisol dysregulation, insulin resistance, visceral fat, oestrogen decline, and progesterone deficiency — and is a key target for combined hormonal and lifestyle intervention.

Who Should Consider This Test?

This test is particularly relevant for women who experience:

• Persistent fatigue or exhaustion that does not improve with sleep or rest
• Unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight, particularly around the abdomen
• Sugar cravings, energy crashes, or afternoon slumps
• Elevated cholesterol or triglycerides on previous testing
• Blood sugar irregularities, a history of gestational diabetes, or pre-diabetes
• 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
• Chronic stress or burnout
• Diagnosed or suspected PCOS or oestrogen dominance
• Currently on HRT and wanting to monitor metabolic and inflammatory markers
• Family history of diabetes, heart disease, or metabolic syndrome
• Women over 35 wanting a comprehensive hormonal and cardiometabolic health baseline

Key Features

• 16-marker combined saliva LCMS hormone and cortisol panel plus blood spot cardiometabolic panel
• Saliva LCMS — the gold standard for bioavailable sex hormone measurement in women
• All three oestrogens (E1, E2, E3) for complete oestrogen metabolism and dominance assessment
• 4-point cortisol profile revealing the full daily adrenal rhythm and its metabolic consequences
• Six cardiometabolic markers — fasting insulin, HbA1c, HDL, triglycerides, total cholesterol, hsCRP
• Results within 3–5 working days after lab receipt
• Expert analysis by a Hormone Specialist PhD Doctor
• Clear graphical and numerical results with personalised commentary
• All-inclusive price — laboratory fees included, no hidden costs
• Valid for 12 months from purchase

How It Works

1. Order the kit online — delivered directly to your door.
2. Collect your saliva samples at four time points (morning, noon, evening, night) and your blood spot sample via a simple finger-prick, following the detailed instructions provided. Guidance on optimal cycle timing is included.
3. Post your samples to the lab using the return instructions included in your kit.
4. Receive your results within 3–5 working days, with specialist commentary and clear next-step guidance.

What Your Report Includes

• All 16 marker results with female-specific reference ranges
• Visual charts for all six sex hormones, your full 4-point cortisol daily curve, and all six cardiometabolic markers
• Clinical interpretation of how your oestrogens, progesterone, cortisol, and cardiometabolic markers interact as an integrated female metabolic-hormonal system
• Oestrogen-progesterone dominance ratio analysis
• Insulin resistance pattern assessment based on fasting insulin and HbA1c
• Cardiovascular risk profile including HDL, triglycerides, and hsCRP in hormonal context
• Specialist commentary by a Hormone Specialist PhD Doctor
• Personalised next-step recommendations

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this test measure?

Oestradiol (E2), Oestriol (E3), Oestrone (E1), Progesterone, Testosterone, DHEAS (saliva LCMS) plus 4-point Cortisol (saliva: morning, noon, evening, night) plus Fasting Insulin, HbA1c, HDL Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Total Cholesterol, and hsCRP (blood spot) — 16 markers in total.

Why should women test hormones and cardiometabolic markers together?

In women, sex hormones and cardiometabolic health are mechanistically inseparable. Oestradiol protects HDL and suppresses cardiovascular inflammation; its decline after menopause directly raises cardiovascular risk. Cortisol drives insulin resistance and visceral fat; low progesterone worsens oestrogen dominance and inflammation. Testing both systems together reveals whether cardiometabolic symptoms are driven by hormonal root causes — something that testing either system alone cannot determine.

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 meaningful progesterone and oestrogen values alongside the metabolic markers.

Can I use this test if I am on HRT or the contraceptive pill?

Yes. HRT and the contraceptive pill significantly affect oestrogen, progesterone, HDL, triglycerides, and insulin sensitivity — which is precisely why monitoring both hormonal and cardiometabolic markers together is more informative than standard blood tests for women on hormonal treatment. Follow the timing guidance in your kit.

Is this test suitable for women with PCOS?

Yes — this test is particularly valuable for women with PCOS. PCOS is fundamentally a condition of insulin resistance, androgen excess, and oestrogen-progesterone imbalance — all of which are directly assessed by this panel. Fasting insulin is often the most clinically important marker in PCOS and is measured alongside the full sex hormone and cortisol profile.

When will I get my results?

Within 3–5 working days after your samples reach the laboratory.

Are there hidden costs?

No. Laboratory analysis and specialist review are fully included. You are responsible for postage to the lab.

How long is the kit valid?

12 months from purchase.

Why We Partner with ZRT Laboratory

At Hormone Lab UK, every home test kit is analysed by ZRT Laboratory, a globally recognised, CLIA-certified diagnostic and research laboratory specialising in hormone testing, thyroid testing, fertility testing, adrenal function, neurotransmitter analysis, cardiometabolic health, heavy metals, and wellness testing. Founded in 1998 by renowned biochemist and breast cancer researcher Dr. David Zava, PhD, ZRT has become one of the world’s leading laboratories for advanced functional health testing.

With more than 11 million laboratory tests performed and healthcare professionals in over 96 countries relying on its expertise, ZRT is recognised for scientific excellence, analytical accuracy, and continuous innovation. The laboratory pioneered at-home saliva hormone testing, introduced the first commercially available dried blood spot (DBS) hormone tests, and developed Dried Urine Testing (DUTS), helping make advanced laboratory diagnostics more accessible and clinically meaningful.

Every sample is analysed using state-of-the-art LC-MS/MS and ICP-MS technology under rigorous quality control standards. ZRT collaborates with the CDC, NIH, and leading universities, supporting ongoing research and advances in laboratory medicine.