What a female hormone panel tests, and when it actually helps
Clinically reviewed by Pedro Alvarez, PA-C, Florida-licensed Physician Associate (PA9113765) · Last reviewed 2026-10-06
The short answer
A female hormone panel is one blood draw that measures nine things: estradiol, progesterone, FSH, LH, total and free testosterone, DHEA-S, SHBG, prolactin and TSH. It helps explain irregular periods, possible PCOS, and some symptoms around perimenopause. At Goza, in Florida, it costs $163.50 including a licensed provider’s review. No insurance is needed.
What is in the panel
| Test | What it looks at | Why it is useful |
|---|---|---|
| Estradiol | The main estrogen before menopause | Helps evaluate conditions linked to estrogen that is too high or too low |
| Progesterone | A hormone that rises after ovulation | Shows ovulation only when drawn about a week before your next period; see timing below |
| FSH | A pituitary hormone that drives the ovaries | Used to look into irregular or stopped periods and the menopause transition |
| LH | A pituitary hormone that rises just before ovulation | Read alongside FSH |
| Total and free testosterone | Testosterone in the blood, and the part that is active | High androgens are one feature of PCOS |
| DHEA-S | A hormone made mostly in the adrenal glands | Shows whether extra androgens may be coming from the adrenals |
| SHBG | A protein that binds testosterone | Changes how much testosterone is free and active |
| Prolactin | A pituitary hormone | High levels can cause irregular or absent periods |
| TSH | Thyroid-stimulating hormone | Thyroid problems can look like hormone problems |
When this panel helps
- Irregular or missing periods. FSH, LH, prolactin and TSH help find the cause.
- Possible PCOS. The international guideline requires at least two of three features in adults: signs or blood evidence of high androgens, irregular cycles or ovulation, and a polycystic appearance of the ovaries. Blood tests cover the androgen part and help rule out other causes.
- Trouble conceiving. These tests are a starting point. A full fertility evaluation is done in person.
- Symptoms before age 45 that could be early menopause.
When it does not help much
We would rather be straight about this.
- Menopause at 45 or older. Most women begin the menopausal transition between ages 45 and 55. UK national guidance says that in otherwise healthy women aged 45 or over with menopause symptoms, perimenopause and menopause are identified from symptoms and period changes, without laboratory tests, and that estradiol should not be used to identify menopause at that age. Hormone levels swing widely during perimenopause, so one result can mislead.
- If you use hormonal birth control. The same guidance says not to use an FSH blood test to identify menopause in people using combined estrogen and progestogen contraception, and to consider FSH only at ages 40 to 45 with symptoms, or under 40. Hormonal birth control also changes testosterone and SHBG results, so androgen testing for PCOS is not reliable while you are on it. Do not stop birth control to take this test without talking to a provider first.
- As a general wellness check. No national guideline recommends hormone panels for women without symptoms.
If hot flashes, night sweats or vaginal dryness are your main concern and you are in your mid-40s or older, you may not need labs at all. A visit to discuss treatment may serve you better.
This panel is not a pregnancy test.
How to prepare
- Go in the morning after an overnight fast if you can. Quest prefers an overnight fast for the prolactin test. It is not required for the other tests.
- If you have regular periods, go on day 2, 3 or 4 of your cycle. Day 1 is the first day of full bleeding. Fertility guidelines measure FSH and estradiol together on those days.
- Progesterone is the exception. It confirms ovulation only when drawn about one week before your next expected period. On days 2 to 4 it will be low, and that is normal. If confirming ovulation is your main question, tell us and your provider will advise on timing.
- If your periods are irregular, absent or have stopped, you can go on any day.
- Tell us about birth control and hormone therapy, including pills, patches, rings, hormonal IUDs and creams. Do not stop any of them on your own.
- Mind your biotin. Quest advises drawing at least 8 hours after a regular dose of biotin and at least 72 hours after a high dose.
- Tell us if you take DHEA. Quest notes that DHEA supplements can falsely raise the progesterone result.
- No appointment is needed at Quest.
What happens after your draw
- Results usually arrive in 1 to 3 business days.
- A licensed Goza provider reviews them and sends you a written explanation of what is in range, what is not, and what to do next.
- If a result needs follow-up, you choose what happens next. You can book a video visit with a Goza provider to go over it and discuss any treatment we can offer by telehealth. Or we refer you to your primary care provider, or to other in-person care when that fits better. Either way, we say plainly which one applies.
Lab results are information, not a diagnosis on their own, and this panel is not for emergencies. If you have chest pain, trouble breathing, or any urgent symptom, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
What it costs
- $163.50 all-in on Fullscript, our lab partner. That covers the lab tests, the draw at Quest, and the provider’s review of your results.
- Goza members: $114.50. The $49 clinician review fee is waived for members on every lab order.
- At-home blood draw is available for an extra $85.
- No insurance is needed, and nothing is billed to insurance.
About Goza
Goza is a Florida telehealth practice. Florida-licensed clinicians treat common conditions by message visit ($79) or video visit ($99), and review every lab panel ordered through Goza. We care for adults 18 and older who are physically in Florida, in English or Spanish. No insurance is needed. Goza does not prescribe controlled substances.
Frequently asked questions
Can this panel tell me if I am in menopause?
Under 45, FSH can help confirm it. At 45 or older, guidelines identify menopause from symptoms and period changes, not from blood tests, so this panel is not the way to answer that question.
I am on the pill. Will the results be accurate?
Hormonal birth control changes several of these results. Tell us what you use and your provider will advise whether to test now.
Can it diagnose PCOS?
It covers the blood-test part. PCOS is diagnosed from a combination of features, so your provider looks at your cycle history too, and an ultrasound may be suggested.
Which day of my cycle should I go?
Day 2, 3 or 4 if your periods are regular. Any day if they are irregular, absent or have stopped.
Do I need to fast?
An overnight fast is preferred, because of the prolactin test. It is not strictly required.
Ready to order?
ORDER THIS PANEL
Female Hormone Panel
$163.50 Members $114.50
Labs, blood draw at Quest and provider review included · no insurance needed
Sources
- Quest Diagnostics. Test Directory, patient preparation and collection instructions for each test in this panel, read 2026-10-06. https://testdirectory.questdiagnostics.com/
- Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Fertility evaluation of infertile women: a committee opinion. Fertil Steril. 2021;116(5):1255-1265. https://www.asrm.org/practice-guidance/practice-committee-documents/fertility-evaluation-of-infertile-women-a-committee-opinion-2021/
- Teede HJ, et al. Summary of the 2023 international evidence-based guideline for the assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome. Med J Aust. 2024;221(7). https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2024/221/7/summary-2023-international-evidence-based-guideline-assessment-and-management
- MedlinePlus. Estrogen Levels Test. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/estrogen-levels-test/
- MedlinePlus. Progesterone Test. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/progesterone-test/
- MedlinePlus. Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Levels Test. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/follicle-stimulating-hormone-fsh-levels-test/
- MedlinePlus. Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Levels Test. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/luteinizing-hormone-lh-levels-test/
- MedlinePlus. Prolactin Levels. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/prolactin-levels/
- MedlinePlus. DHEA Sulfate Test. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/dhea-sulfate-test/
- MedlinePlus. SHBG Blood Test. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/shbg-blood-test/
- MedlinePlus. TSH (Thyroid-stimulating hormone) Test. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/tsh-thyroid-stimulating-hormone-test/
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. How do health care providers diagnose PCOS? https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pcos/conditioninfo/diagnose
- National Institute on Aging. What Is Menopause? https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/menopause/what-menopause
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (UK). Menopause: identification and management (NG23), Recommendations 1.3.1, 1.3.4, 1.3.5 and 1.3.6. Last updated 15 April 2026. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/chapter/Recommendations
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Biotin Interference with Troponin Lab Tests (links the FDA safety communication that biotin may interfere with lab tests). https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/in-vitro-diagnostics/biotin-interference-troponin-lab-tests-assays-subject-biotin-interference
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