IMULAB
Perimenopause
Perimenopause
How do you want to take your sample?
Please choose one option below-
Collect your own sample at home Free
Self sampling kit containing everything you need to take your own finger prick blood sample sample at home.
-
Sample collection at a Superdrug Clinic +£35.00
Visit one of Superdrug's clinics across the UK where a healthcare professional will take your sample from a vein in your arm. We’ll email you instructions on how to book after we’ve processed your order.
-
Sample collection at home with a nurse +£59.00
Book an appointment for one of our nurses to visit your home and take your blood sample from a vein your arm.
-
Sample collection with your own healthcare professional Free
Make an appointment with a healthcare professional of your choice to have your venous blood sample taken. You will be responsible for arranging your appointment and any additional fees.
Couldn't load pickup availability
This test measures five hormones: FSH, LH, oestradiol, TSH and free thyroxine. It shows where your hormones sit at the point you test, and checks whether your thyroid is contributing to your symptoms.
What the markers show
FSH and LH are released by the pituitary gland to stimulate the ovaries. As the ovaries become less responsive, the pituitary produces more of both, so levels tend to rise as menopause approaches.
Oestradiol is the main form of oestrogen during the reproductive years. It falls over time, but during perimenopause it fluctuates considerably, sometimes rising above the usual range before it drops.
TSH and free thyroxine assess thyroid function. Thyroid disorders are common in women in midlife and produce many of the same symptoms as perimenopause, including fatigue, low mood, weight change and irregular periods. Checking both together means you are less likely to attribute a treatable thyroid problem to hormonal change, or the reverse.
Who this test is for
Women experiencing hot flushes, night sweats, irregular periods, broken sleep, low mood, anxiety, difficulty concentrating or fatigue that rest does not resolve.
It is also worth considering if you are under 45 and your cycle has changed, or if there is a family history of early menopause.
What this test can and cannot tell you
It shows your hormone levels on the day you tested, and it identifies or rules out a thyroid cause for your symptoms. It gives you objective results to discuss with a healthcare professional.
It does not diagnose perimenopause. Hormone levels fluctuate significantly during this stage, so a single set of results can look unremarkable in a woman who is clearly perimenopausal. In women over 45, perimenopause is generally recognised from symptoms and cycle changes rather than from blood results. Under 45, hormone results carry more weight and are more often used to inform the picture.
Results should be read alongside your symptoms and discussed with a healthcare professional before any decisions are made about treatment.
When to take your sample
Timing affects the result. If you still have a reasonably regular cycle, take your sample between days 2 and 5, counting the first day of proper bleeding as day 1. Day 3 is best. If your cycle is irregular or has stopped, any day is suitable.
Take the sample in the morning. Sample Monday to Thursday and post it the same day, so it does not sit in the postal system over a weekend.
How to give your sample
The standard option is an at-home finger-prick kit, posted to you with everything required to take and return the sample, including the return shipping label. It takes around ten minutes.
If you would rather have a venous sample taken, you can book a phlebotomist at a Superdrug health clinic or arrange a mobile nurse visit at home. Both carry an additional fee. If you know a healthcare professional qualified to take a venous sample, they can use the kit instead.
Your results
Results are normally ready within two working days of your sample reaching our laboratory. Every result is reviewed by a doctor and released with a comment in plain language, so you are not left to interpret the numbers on your own.
Results are delivered through our secure online portal. They are yours to keep and to share, including with your GP.
This test is not a substitute for medical care. If anything in your results is clinically concerning, we will tell you and advise you to see your GP.
Hormones
FSH
LH
Luteinising Hormone (LH) is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that plays a crucial role in male and female fertility. In females, LH levels increase sharply around the middle of the menstrual cycle, causing ovulation to occur. It is also responsible for the formation of the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone to prepare the uterus for pregnancy. In males, LH stimulates the production of testosterone in the Leydig cells of the testes, which is essential for the development of male reproductive organs and secondary sexual characteristics.
Oestradiol
Oestradiol is a steroid hormone that is primarily produced in the ovaries of women and to a lesser extent in the testes of men. It is one of three types of estrogen and has important functions in regulating the female reproductive system, as well as promoting breast tissue growth and maintaining bone density. Oestradiol levels naturally fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle, peaking at ovulation in pre-menopausal women. As women age, their oestradiol levels decrease and eventually stop altogether with menopause. Low levels of oestradiol can lead to symptoms commonly associated with menopause such as hot flushes, night sweats, and mood swings. Additionally, low levels of oestradiol can increase the risk of developing osteoporosis.
Thyroid Hormones
TSH
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that regulates the production of thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) by the thyroid gland. TSH levels increase when thyroid hormone levels are low, and decrease when thyroid hormone levels are high. Abnormal TSH levels can indicate problems with the thyroid gland, such as under or overproduction of thyroid hormones. It can also be a result of pituitary gland disorders.
Free thyroxine
Thyroxine (T4) is one of the two primary hormones produced by the thyroid gland. It plays a vital role in regulating metabolic processes in the body. T4 is mostly bound to carrier proteins in the blood, and only a small amount of it exists in its free or unbound form. In contrast to free T3, free T4 is relatively inactive, but it is still essential for normal body function. When the body requires thyroid hormone, free T4 is converted to the more active form, free T3.
Sampling special instructions
Prepare for your Hormone Panel Blood Test by following the instructions included in your test kit. It is recommended to schedule the test between days 2 and 5 of your menstrual cycle, where day 1 is the first day of your period. If you are not menstruating, the test can be taken at any time. Fasting is not required for this test, but it is important to inform your healthcare provider about any medications or hormonal therapies you are currently taking, as they may affect the test results. Avoid vigorous exercise on the day before the test, as it may impact hormone levels. Ensure that you are well-hydrated before the test by drinking plenty of water.