What does a full hormone panel include?
A full panel with me goes beyond just checking hormones. I run a comprehensive panel that looks at the body as a whole: estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid function, DHEA, metabolic markers, inflammation markers, kidney and liver function, vitamin D, and a more in-depth assessment of your lipid profile.
Depending on your symptoms and history, I may also recommend additional testing such as cortisol evaluation, nutrient testing, insulin resistance markers, or GI mapping.
The goal is not to look at one lab value in isolation. It is to identify patterns, connections, and areas that may be contributing to how you feel, so we can build a more complete and personalized treatment plan.
Hormones regulate each other. Thyroid affects cycle. Cortisol affects thyroid. Estrogen and progesterone are only interpretable in relation to one another and to where you are in a cycle. Measuring one and calling it an assessment is like checking a single instrument and declaring the aircraft fine.
Timing matters too. For someone still cycling, when in the cycle a sample is drawn changes what the numbers mean, so we plan the draw rather than take it whenever is convenient. And the results come back to you in plain language — you should leave understanding what was measured, what it showed, and what we are going to do about it.
Related
- What is the difference between an optimal and a normal lab range?Optimal range vs. normal range
- What should I expect at a first hormone or wellness appointment?Your first wellness or hormone consult
- Why is a normal TSH not the whole thyroid picture?Thyroid testing beyond TSH
Nurse Niki AI & this site provide general information, not medical advice.