How to Tell If Your Hormone Levels Are too High

Hormone levels fluctuate in women during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, as well as with monthly cycles. There are several conditions that cause hormone levels to become too high, ranging from thyroid disease to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Symptoms stemming from high hormone levels should be addressed by a doctor.

Things You'll Need

• Pen and paper
• Physician
• Blood work

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Instructions

How to Tell If Your Hormone Levels Are Too High

• 1

  Take an inventory of any symptoms that you are having. Take note if you experience the following hormone related symptoms, as found on Harvard Consumer Health: missing or irregular periods, feeling too hot or too cold, weight gain or loss, mood swings, thinning hair or hair growth on the body, changes in sexual desire, acne, skin dryness, or changes in bowel movements (constipation or diarrhea).

• 2

  Contact your physician and make an appointment to discuss your symptoms. Your physician will perform an exam to check any physical symptoms and will ask you to get blood work done to check hormone levels in the blood. Tests may also check for hormone levels in the urine or saliva.

• 3

  Ask your doctor if there is a specific time during your cycle to obtain the blood tests, as some hormone testing must be done during the beginning of the menstrual cycle.

• 4

  Have your blood work taken.

• 5

  Follow up with your physician to learn the results of your hormone testing, and the next steps for treatment.