Hormone Testing Guide
Testosterone, cortisol, thyroid hormones, estrogen, and more — understanding hormone blood tests.
What Is a Testosterone Blood Test?
Testosterone testing: normal total testosterone 300-1000 ng/dL for men. Test in the morning, fast if possible, confirm low with second test.…
What Is a Cortisol Blood Test?
Cortisol testing: normal morning 6-23 µg/dL. Timing is critical — cortisol peaks in morning, drops at night. High = Cushing's, low = Addison…
What Is an Estradiol Blood Test?
Estradiol (E2) testing: the primary female sex hormone. Normal ranges vary by menstrual cycle phase, pregnancy, and menopause.…
What Is a DHEA Blood Test?
DHEA-S testing: an adrenal hormone precursor. Normal ranges vary by age and sex. High DHEA-S suggests PCOS or adrenal tumors.…
What Is an hCG Blood Test?
hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) testing: confirms pregnancy, monitors high-risk pregnancies, and screens for certain tumors. Quantitative…
What Is a Free Testosterone Blood Test?
Free testosterone measures the unbound, active form. Only 1-3% of total testosterone is free. SHBG affects free T — high SHBG lowers free T …
What Is an Estradiol Test?
Estradiol (E2) is the primary female sex hormone. Testing used for fertility, IVF, menopause confirmation, and hormone therapy monitoring.…
What Is Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) Antibody?
Anti-TPO antibodies attack the thyroid enzyme thyroid peroxidase. Present in 90-95% of Hashimoto's patients. Also found in 10-15% of healthy…