Description

What is it?

The hormonal study of advanced women is a key test to check the state of hormonal health of women and assess the levels of female hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle, which can determine certain pathologies such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), infertility or insulin resistance (HOMA).

The study is performed by analyzing a blood sample to check the values of reproductive hormones and to verify if there are alterations in the ovarian cycle or fertility problems, as well as hormonal changes.

The hormonal study of the woman should be performed between the third and fifth day of the menstrual cycle, that is, between 3 and 5 days after the onset of menstruation. However, the analysis of the hormone progesterone should be done on the 21st day of the cycle to know if ovulation has occurred or not.

What do we analyze?

The study analyzes the following hormones:

Pituitary hormones:

TSH: thyroid stimulating hormone. In the first days of the cycle the values should be between 0.2 and 4.7 mUi/ml. Otherwise there may be hyperthyroidism (excess thyroid hormone) or hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone) in the blood.
Prolactin: hormone that takes relevance in pregnant women, since it is responsible for stimulating the production of breast milk, in addition to synthesizing progesterone. In non-pregnant women the values should be between 0 and 20 ng/ml and in pregnant women between 10 and 300 ng/ml.
FSH: hormone that promotes the growth of ovarian follicles in which eggs develop. Levels between 3 and 9 mUi/ml indicate a correct ovarian reserve.
LH: is the luteinizing hormone that participates in the preparation of the female corpus luteum for implantation of a fertilized egg. Values should range between 2 and 10 mUi/ml.
B-Estradiol: main estrogen hormone and its role is key in sexual development. At the beginning of the cycle levels should be between 27 pg/ml and 161 pg/ml.

Ovarian hormones:

Progesterone: steroid hormone that takes its prominence in the luteal phase, as it prepares the endometrium for the embryo to be implanted. If pregnancy does not occur, progesterone levels drop and the body prepares to receive menstruation. On day 21 of the cycle, adequate progesterone levels are between 5 and 20 ng/ml.
Testosterone: in women, it is produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands. Determining normal blood levels is not particularly relevant, since its effects also depend on other factors.
H. Antimullerian Hormone (AMH): plays an essential role in follicle formation. AMH is tested to check a woman’s ability to produce fertile eggs.
Inhibin B: values below 45 pg/ml show alterations in ovarian reserve or poor response to stimulation.

For whom is it indicated?

The hormonal study of women is recommended in the following cases:

Alterations in the menstrual cycle.
Early menopause.
When pregnancy is not achieved.
In assisted reproduction treatments.
Other alterations such as acne, excess body hair, alopecia, skin pigmentation disorders, etc.