Sex Hormone Profile
Assessment Stage: Baseline Assessment — where clinically appropriate
Included in Future Health Assessment: Where indicated
Partner: DHM Pathology / Bloody Good Blood Tests
Provider: DHM Pathology / Bloody Good Blood Tests
Approximate Cost: Medicare where eligible; private fees may apply for non-rebatable testing
What is it?
A sex hormone profile measures selected reproductive and endocrine hormones according to the clinical question. The exact panel differs between women and men and may also depend on menstrual cycle stage, menopause status, medications and symptoms.
What does it measure?
Depending on the clinical indication, testing may include:
Oestradiol
Progesterone
Testosterone
Free testosterone or calculated free testosterone
Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG)
Luteinising Hormone (LH)
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
Prolactin
DHEAS where appropriate
Why is it important?
Sex hormones influence:
Menstrual and reproductive function
Menopause and perimenopause
Sexual function
Fertility
Bone health
Muscle mass
Mood
Energy
Body composition
Hormone testing is most useful when it answers a specific clinical question rather than as untargeted screening.
Who may benefit?
Testing may be appropriate for people with:
Irregular or absent periods
Fertility concerns
Suspected menopause or ovarian insufficiency
Symptoms of androgen excess
Low libido or erectile dysfunction
Suspected testosterone deficiency
Galactorrhoea or menstrual disturbance
Monitoring of selected hormone treatment
What happens during the test?
A routine blood sample is collected.
Some hormones may need to be measured:
In the morning
On a particular menstrual-cycle day
Before taking a scheduled hormone dose
More than once because levels fluctuate
Preparation
Preparation depends on the hormones being assessed.
Patients should provide information about:
Menstrual cycle timing
Hormonal contraception
Menopausal hormone therapy
Testosterone therapy
Fertility medication
Supplements that may interfere with assays, including biotin
Advantages
Objective endocrine assessment
May identify treatable hormone disorders
Supports fertility, menopause and sexual-health assessment
Can assist treatment monitoring
Limitations
Hormones naturally fluctuate.
A single result may be misleading.
Results must be interpreted alongside symptoms and treatment.
Routine broad hormone panels are rarely useful without a clinical indication.
How Future Health uses this investigation
Future Health selects the smallest clinically relevant hormone panel and interprets it alongside:
Symptoms
Cycle stage
Menopause status
Medication use
Bone health
Body composition
Sexual and reproductive goals
Future Health Summary
A targeted sex hormone profile can clarify specific reproductive, sexual or endocrine concerns, but results are most meaningful when interpreted within the correct clinical context.