What blood tests are used for PCOS?

Testosterone is the main blood test for raised male hormones, often with SHBG and the free androgen index. FSH, LH and prolactin can help look at other causes of irregular periods, and a doctor makes the diagnosis using your symptoms and sometimes an ultrasound scan as well.

What day of my cycle should I have a hormone blood test?

FSH, LH and oestradiol are usually checked at the start of your cycle, on day 1 to 4. Progesterone, which checks ovulation, is measured about 7 days before your next period, which is day 21 of a 28-day cycle.

Can I have a hormone blood test while on the pill?

You can, but hormonal contraception changes FSH, LH, SHBG and progesterone, which makes results harder to interpret. Tell us what you take, and do not stop contraception without speaking to your GP.

Hormones & fertility

Private blood test

Hormone Profile Blood Test

Key reproductive hormones, including oestradiol, progesterone and testosterone, often checked for cycle, menopause or hormonal symptoms.

8 biomarkers
No fasting needed

£69Includes sample collection

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We confirm your appointment and any preparation, such as fasting, before you attend.

What’s included

8 biomarkers in this test.

No fasting needed

Hormones & fertility8

Reproductive, stress and adrenal hormones.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone
Free Androgen Index
Luteinising Hormone
Oestradiol
Progesterone
Prolactin
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)
Testosterone

About this test

Is the Hormone Profile Blood Test right for you?

Who it’s for

Your periods have become irregular, infrequent or have stopped, and you want to look at the hormones that control your cycle.
You have symptoms that can be linked to PCOS (which the NHS now calls PMOS), such as irregular periods, excess hair on your face or body, acne or difficulty getting pregnant.
You are under 45 and have symptoms that could be the menopause, such as hot flushes or changes to your periods. This is the age group where blood tests are sometimes used.
You are planning a pregnancy and want a picture of your reproductive hormones before speaking to your GP or a fertility clinic.
You are a man with symptoms such as low sex drive or erection problems, and want to check testosterone alongside the hormones that control it.

What it can show

FSH and LH are signals from the pituitary gland that control the ovaries and testes. FSH rises as the ovaries stop working around the menopause, and the pattern of FSH and LH helps show where a hormone problem starts.
Oestradiol shows how the ovaries are working. Progesterone rises after ovulation, so a raised level taken about a week before your period suggests you have ovulated.
Testosterone and SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) are used to calculate the free androgen index, an estimate of active testosterone. In women, raised testosterone is one of the features doctors look for when considering PCOS.
Prolactin is a pituitary hormone. A raised level can be linked to irregular periods, breast milk production or low sex drive, and has several possible causes, including some medicines and an underactive thyroid.

What it can’t tell you

Female hormones change throughout the menstrual cycle, so results only make sense when we know which day of your cycle the sample was taken.
If you are 45 or over with typical symptoms, NICE says the perimenopause and menopause are usually identified from your symptoms without blood tests. Hormone levels can swing during the perimenopause, so one normal result does not rule it out.
Hormonal contraception and HRT change these hormones. NICE advises against using FSH to identify the menopause if you use combined hormonal contraception or high-dose progestogen.
Stress, recent exercise and even the blood test itself can raise prolactin, so a mildly raised result is usually repeated.
Results need to be interpreted alongside your symptoms. PCOS is diagnosed using your symptoms and sometimes an ultrasound scan as well as blood tests, and diagnosis and treatment are with your GP or specialist.

Before your test

You do not need to fast. Eat and drink as normal unless another test you are having needs fasting.
If you have regular periods, book for day 1 to 4 of your cycle (day 1 is the first day of bleeding) to look at FSH, LH and oestradiol. If you mainly want to check whether you are ovulating, book about 7 days before your next period is due instead.
Book a morning appointment if you can, and tell us about any hormonal contraception, HRT or other medicines you take, and whether you could be pregnant, as pregnancy changes most of these hormones.
Biotin (vitamin B7), found in many hair, skin and nail supplements, can make testosterone and SHBG results inaccurate. If you take a high dose (5mg or more a day), stop it for 1 week before your test if it is safe to do so, and tell us if you take any biotin.

Your results

Usually within a couple of working days. We email your results once a doctor has reviewed them.

How it works

From booking to results in three steps.

Step 1
Request your test
Send a booking request online or call us. We confirm your clinic, appointment time and any preparation.
Step 2
Visit the clinic
A short appointment for professional sample collection at Greysteel or Letterkenny. No GP referral needed.
Step 3
Receive your results
Usually within a couple of working days, emailed to you once a doctor has reviewed them.

Common questions

Questions about this test.

If you are 45 or over with typical symptoms, NICE says blood tests are usually not needed and the menopause is identified from your symptoms. An FSH test may be considered if you are under 45, and our doctor interprets the result alongside your age, symptoms and periods.