How to Get Hormone Levels Tested

Hormone levels can be tested to determine what is going on inside a woman's body. Hormone level results can show if a woman is fertile, going through early menopause or perimenopause. Since hormone levels have a tendency to fluctuate, you should plan on getting your hormone levels tested several times.

Instructions

• 1

  Visit your doctor. Let her know your reasons for wanting to get your hormone levels tested. She will advise you on what type of tests you should get done.

• 2

  Note the timing of a hormone level test. For a menstruating woman, she needs to get the test done a week before her period. For women on hormone replacement therapy, they should get the test at the end of the treatment cycle.

• 3

  Make an appointment to get blood drawn. This is the standard procedure for testing a woman's hormone levels. A lab takes a sample of your blood and sends it out for analysis. Results show the number of active hormones in your body.

• 4

  Ask about a saliva test. A newer method of measuring hormone levels is to take a swab of a person's saliva. Saliva tests can show the level of progesterone, estradiol, DHEA, testosterone and coritsol in the body.

• 5

  Request a copy of the results. Keep all of your hormone level tests organized for easy tracking.

• 6

  Get a home kit. Most of the home kits will analyze your saliva to determine hormone levels.