Hormonal Screening
|
Hormonal analysis is a fully automated process. |
Every hormone test is of course a blood test, for which a blood sample must be obtained.
On the other hand, not every blood test is for the analysis of hormones. See
preliminary investigations for an overview of which substances can be measured through blood screening.
Hormonal disturbances can occur in the brain, reproductive organs, thyroid or adrenal glands. If they occur in the brain, they can lead to menstrual dysfunction, affecting the egg ripening process and ovulation. If in the reproductive organs, problems can occur with embryo implantation.
Therefore, a hormonal screening test will be performed as standard during your first consultation at the CRG, assuming that one has not been performed elsewhere recently.
Hormone profile [blood test | Outpatient Clinic] This basis test will be scheduled at the beginning of the menstrual cycle, between days 2 and 4.
- the levels of certain hormones important for egg cell maturation will be determined: FSH, LH (produced in the brain) and oestradiol (an oestrogen which the ovaries produce).
- other hormones measured include progesterone, testosterone, andosterone, ... the latter two are better known as male hormones, but they are also present in the woman and are produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands respectively.
- Adrenal gland hormones
Imbalanced hormone production within the adrenal glands can cause disturbances in fertility. More specifically, excess male hormones lead to problems with egg ripening. Therefore, levels of DHEA-sulphate, testosterone, and andosterone are determined. - Stress hormone
Levels of prolactine are also screened, because this 'stress hormone' can cause fertility problems. Levels in the body are determined by external circumstances; sudden change in weight, erratic lifestyle and stress for example. Levels increase after eating, which is why you are required to fast for this blood test.
If prolactine levels are too high, it is necessary to investigate, in order to find the reason why. Apart from the reasons already mentioned, a small tumour (a prolactinoma) in the hypofyse can sometimes be responsible for excess levels. Treatment with medication will then be necessary to shrink the tumour.
- thyroid gland hormones
A hormone known as T4, produced in the thyroid gland, can lessen the chances of pregnancy and increase the chances of miscarriage, if levels are not as they should be. Therefore testing for this hormone is also routine in conjunction with fertility treatment.