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What the Panel Measures
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Luteinising hormone and follicle stimulating hormone
LH and FSH are produced in the brain and regulate the ovaries and the menstrual cycle. Measured together, they offer useful information about ovarian function, which is why timing the sample correctly matters. -
Testosterone
Women produce testosterone in small amounts, where it contributes to energy, muscle strength and libido. It forms an important part of the overall hormonal picture. -
Sex hormone binding globulin
SHBG is a protein that binds to circulating hormones and governs how much is available to your tissues. It provides essential context when interpreting the other results. -
Free androgen index
The free androgen index gives an indication of how much active testosterone is circulating, calculated from your testosterone and SHBG levels. -
Prolactin
Prolactin is produced in the brain and plays a role in reproductive health. It can influence the regularity of the menstrual cycle, so it forms a useful part of the wider picture.
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Who Might Consider This Test
Men choose hormone testing for a range of reasons. It may be of interest if you have noticed:
- Persistent tiredness or low energy
- A reduction in libido
- Difficulty building or maintaining muscle
- Reduced strength or slower recovery after exercise
- Changes in mood or motivation
- Unexplained changes in weight
- A general sense that something has shifted
Some men simply want a clearer picture of their health rather than an answer to a specific worry, and that is a perfectly good reason to test.
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How the Test Works
- Arrange a convenient appointment, taking cycle timing into account where it is relevant.
- A small sample is collected from a finger prick at the clinic.
- The sample travels to the laboratory, where each hormone is measured.
- Your written report follows, setting out every level alongside the range it is compared against.
Joyce talks you through your traffic light results in plain language. Where a reading falls outside the normal range, you will be encouraged to raise it with your GP, who can advise on whether anything further is needed.
Timing is particularly important for this panel, as several of these hormones vary across the menstrual cycle. If you are having periods, your sample should be taken on day three of your cycle, counting from the first day of your period. If you are not menstruating, the test can be taken at any time. Joyce will advise you when you book.
Price: the female hormone test is £55.
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What the Results Give You
- Measured hormone levels rather than assumptions
- Useful context for symptoms affecting daily life
- Information relevant to questions about perimenopause
- A written report to take to your GP or specialist
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Why Choose Swansea Chiropractic Clinic
We would rather help patients stay ahead of a problem than wait for it to announce itself. Testing sits comfortably alongside the hands on care we provide, giving you information you can act on, in a private appointment with parking and a straightforward booking process.
Results are usually available within five to seven days.
FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions
Will testing explain my symptoms?
It may contribute to the explanation. Testing shows whether particular hormones sit outside the expected range, but symptoms commonly have several possible causes, so results need to be read in the context of your wider health.
When in my cycle should I be tested?
That depends on which hormones are being measured and on your circumstances. You will be advised on suitable timing when you book, as testing on the wrong day can make a result difficult to interpret.
Is this test able to diagnose menopause or another condition?
No. It provides measurements that may support a discussion, but diagnosis rests with a doctor who can consider your symptoms, age and history alongside any results.
Team
Your practitioner
Your test is provided by Joyce Corrella. Joyce brings more than thirty years of experience in healthcare, much of it spent as a respected cardiac and diabetic nurse supporting patients with complex, long term conditions. She now focuses on blood testing and intolerance assessments, combining that clinical background with a thorough, supportive and patient centred approach. Joyce takes your sample at the clinic and talks you through your results clearly, so you leave with a proper understanding of what they mean and any sensible next step.