Question 1

Hormone Testing London

Accepted Answer

Hormone regulation is the cornerstone of our physiology, behaviour and ability to reproduce and thrive. Unfortunately, keeping our hormones balanced has become more and more difficult due to the modern environment we live in and its detrimental interaction with our genes and body systems. Hormonal imbalance will affect our energy levels, cause changes in our cells and tissues, leading to a whole range of symptoms.

Question 2

Types of Hormone Testing

Accepted Answer

When hormones are out of kilter we can feel run down, anxious and depressed, and suffer from a variety of symptoms including fatigue, low mood, irregular periods, migraines, skin conditions, blood sugar issues and weight gain.
To test adrenal, reproductive and sex hormones we usually have 3 options: blood, urine and saliva testing. In our experience, a combination of saliva and urine samples gives us the best and most accurate results in many cases. They are also the easiest and most convenient methods.
At the London Clinic of Nutrition, we use three key types of hormone tests. During your initial consultation, your practitioner will assess which hormone test is necessary and appropriate to investigate your hormonal health further.

Adrenal testing
This simple saliva test has been used for over 30 years and checks your levels of cortisol, the body’s key stress hormone, and DHEA, a hormone produced by your adrenal glands. It will tell us if your adrenal function or circadian rhythm are out of step and need addressing.

Sex Hormone & Adrenal hormone test - Dutch Complete
A more advanced test which analyses 35 different types of hormones. You provide four urine samples over the course of a day to give us a more complete view of your hormonal health. It’s ideal for post-menopausal women and men entering a new life stage. We test for:
oestrogen
testosterone
cortisol
progesterone
DHEA-S
their metabolites

Dutch Cycle mapping
This test compares your hormones over a monthly cycle, which is especially helpful for women with irregular periods, no menstrual bleeding or infertility. It can be combined with the Adrenal and Sex Hormone test if you want a more comprehensive assessment of your current hormonal health. We test for:

Oestrogen
Progesterone
Investigating both oestrogen and progesterone in the body can help us understand oestrogen-related cancer risks, autoimmunity, PMS, and fertility issues in our patients. Knowing these pathways can help us make the right suggestions for diet and lifestyle modification and supplementation.

Hormone blood test London
A simple blood test is one of the most common ways to test hormone levels and can detect testosterone, estrogen, cortisol, and thyroid levels. In general, blood samples are best taken in the 'first half' of the cycle (the follicular phase) when normal and abnormal hormone levels are more clearly separated. However, progesterone may be deliberately measured on day 21 in the middle of the 'second half' (luteal phase) to see if ovulation has occurred.

Question 3

Hormone testing near me

Accepted Answer

The London Clinic of Nutrition is a multi-disciplined health practice offering personalised nutrition and naturopathy using the functional medicine approach. Our relaxing clinic is located in Marylebone, London, a few minutes away from the renowned Harley Street. Our practitioners are based at our clinic in London and are also offering online consultations to all of our clients. 
Get in touch for a complimentary discovery call to discuss your health concerns and how to match you with the most suitable practitioner.

Question 4

Is hormone testing available on the NHS?

Accepted Answer

There are currently three main types of hormone tests available on the NHS.

Adrenal function test usually includes a cortisol blood test.  A cortisol blood test is only usually indicated to help diagnose diseases associated with adrenal insufficiency.

Our comment: Cortisol fluctuates throughout the day, therefore a one-off blood test won’t provide an accurate overview of adrenal health and circadian rhythm.

Thyroid function test usually includes markers such as thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TSH).

Our comment: : Up to 80% of thyroid complaints are misdiagnosed or go undetected because standard medical tests are not very reliable in giving the full picture. They only consider TSH, T4 & T3 levels, which can still appear ‘normal’ when thyroid dysfunction is occurring. In order to fully understand and treat the root cause of thyroid complaints, additional markers need to be considered.

Find out more about testing thyroid health here.

Sex hormones and infertility
To test male fertility, testosterone, luteinising hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and prolactin may be assessed through a blood test and often sperm analysis will also be included in the investigation. 
Our comment: The functional medicine approach digs deeper and explores less obvious causes of infertility. In our experience gut health, adrenal health and oxidative stress may also contribute to low sperm count and reduced fertility in men.

Find out more about female fertility tests available through the NHS, below.

Question 5

Female hormone specialists uk

Accepted Answer

Women’s reproductive systems are hugely complex, with several hormones fluctuating throughout the months. Many functional medicine experts refer to the menstrual cycle as “the fifth vital sign” because it provides a crucial piece of the puzzle in understanding the female body. 
Learning about your ovulation, the length of your cycle and how that relates to symptoms and hormonal health can help us get an insight into other mechanisms within the body. Hormonal health can impact fertility, thyroid function, mood, energy, immune system and even weight gain or loss.
Testing for female sex hormones allows us to understand what is going throughout a menstrual cycle. It gives us an indication of dominant and deficient hormones which ultimately leads us to the most appropriate and successful treatment plan. At the London Clinic of Nutrition, we often find that a combined test of adrenal function and sex hormone profile gives us the best overall picture.

Question 6

Is hormone testing available on the NHS?

Accepted Answer

To test female fertility in a hospital setting, initial investigations may include a blood test to measure levels of hormones involved in reproduction: luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, prolactin, oestradiol, and progesterone. Other measurements might be included to assess thyroid function (TSH and/or T4) and steroids such as testosterone and DHEA-S.

It’s important to note that a one-off blood test or even a repeated blood test, won’t provide accurate test results for female hormones as they fluctuate throughout the month. Also, metabolites of these hormones are sometimes difficult to detect with traditional medical methods but can be extremely important indicators for many hormone-related conditions. Certain metabolites can be harmful if they are produced in excess, which is one important reason to test for them. A urine test is the best method for testing reproductive hormone metabolites. Testing for these metabolites can give us an in-depth picture of why our patient’s overall hormones are elevated, lacking, or pointing toward specific symptoms.

Functional testing is a vital part of the jigsaw when working to achieve optimum health, and we are committed to assist our clients in all areas of health, including hormonal health. At the London Clinic of Nutrition, we use a range of tests to investigate adrenal and sex hormones that will help us assess your health needs and restore balance.
Get in touch for a complimentary discovery call to discuss your health concerns and how to match you with the most suitable practitioner for a comprehensive consultation.

Hormone Testing

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Types of Hormone Testing

Adrenal testing

Sex Hormone & Adrenal hormone test - Dutch Complete

Dutch Cycle mapping

Advanced Female Hormone Blood Test

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