Would you like to better understand your ovarian reserve and reproductive hormones? The Female Fertility IQ Test measures AMH, fertility-related hormones, thyroid function, iron status and essential vitamins and minerals to help identify factors that may be relevant when planning a pregnancy or investigating changes in your cycle.
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Trying to understand your fertility potential?
Look into your ovarian reserve with AMH
AMH is a key hormone linked to ovarian reserve and can offer valuable insight into your fertility health. While no single biomarker tells the whole story, knowing your AMH levels can help you better understand your body and make informed choices for the future.
More biomarkers, better answers
Thyroid and nutrition testing included
Our newly expanded Fertility IQ Test now includes thyroid and essential nutrition markers, including ferritin, iron, vitamin D, and folate. This broader view can help you better understand your overall health, fertility, and preparation for pregnancy.
Your cycle tells a story
Does when you take the test matter?
Fertility hormones fluctuate naturally during your cycle; some markers need to be tested at specific times for the most meaningful insight. For tests including LH, FSH or oestradiol, we recommend testing between days 2 and 5 of your menstrual cycle, ideally day 3.
What's in the test?
Hormones
AMH
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FSH
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Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) is produced in the pituitary gland and is important for women in the production of eggs by the ovaries and for men in the production of sperm. In the first half of the menstrual cycle in women, FSH stimulates the enlargement of follicles within the ovaries. Each of these follicles will help to increase oestradiol levels. One follicle will become dominant and will be released by the ovary (ovulation), after which follicle stimulating hormone levels drop during the second half of the menstrual cycle. In men, FSH acts on the seminiferous tubules of the testicles where they stimulate immature sperm cells to develop into mature sperm.
LH
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Luteinising Hormone (LH) is produced by the pituitary gland and is important for male and female fertility. In women it governs the menstrual cycle, peaking before ovulation. In men it stimulates the production of testosterone.
Prolactin
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Prolactin is a hormone which is produced in the pituitary gland and plays a role in reproductive health. Its primary purpose is to stimulate milk production after childbirth, and in pregnant and breastfeeding women prolactin levels can soar.
Oestradiol
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Oestradiol is the strongest of the three oestrogens. It's labelled a female hormone but it's made in both the ovaries and testes. It's responsible for the growth of breast tissue, the female reproductive system, and male sexual function.
In pre-menopausal women, oestradiol levels vary throughout the monthly cycle, peaking just before ovulation. Levels are lowest after menopause when the ovaries stop producing eggs. Low oestradiol levels in women can cause many symptoms associated with the menopause, including hot flushes, night sweats, and changes in mood. It can also increase the risk of osteoporosis (a condition where the bones become less dense).
In men, oestradiol levels tend to increase slightly with age as testosterone levels decline. Too much oestradiol in men can contribute to fertility problems, gynecomastia (enlarged breast tissue), and erectile dysfunction.
Testosterone
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Testosterone is a hormone that causes male characteristics. For men, it helps to regulate sex drive and has a role in controlling bone mass, fat distribution, muscle mass, strength and the production of red blood cells and sperm. Testosterone is produced in the testicles of men and, in much smaller amounts, in the ovaries of women. Testosterone levels in men naturally decline after the age of 30, although lower than normal levels can occur at any age and can cause low libido, erectile dysfunction, difficulty in gaining and maintaining muscle mass and lack of energy. Although women have much lower amounts of testosterone than men, it is important for much the same reasons, playing a role in libido, the distribution of muscle and fat and the formation of red blood cells. All laboratories will slightly differ in the reference ranges they apply because they are based on the population they are testing. The normal range is set so that 95% of men will fall into it. For greater consistency, we use the guidance from the British Society for Sexual Medicine (BSSM) which advises that low testosterone can be diagnosed when testosterone is consistently below the reference range, and that levels below 12 nmol/L could also be considered low, especially in men who also report symptoms of low testosterone or who have low levels of free testosterone.
Iron status
Ferritin
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Ferritin is a protein which stores iron in your cells and tissues. Usually, the body incorporates iron into haemoglobin to be transported around the body, but when it has a surplus, it stores the remaining iron in ferritin for later use. Measuring ferritin levels gives us a good indication of the amount of iron stored in your body.
Minerals
Magnesium - serum
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Magnesium is found in fibre-rich foods such as green leafy vegetables, avocados, bananas, wholemeal bread and brown rice as well as in fish and meat. Excess magnesium exposure can cause breathing problems, skin and eye irritation, flu-like symptoms and an upset stomach. Low magnesium can cause muscle aches and pains, fatigue, osteoporosis, an irregular heartbeat and high blood pressure. Low magnesium is associated with heart disease, artherosclerosis, stroke and diabetes.
Proteins
SHBG
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SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) is a protein which transports the sex hormones (testosterone, oestrogen and dihydrotestosterone (DHT)) in the blood.Hormones which are bound to SHBG are inactive which means that they are unavailable to your cells. Measuring the level of SHBG in your blood gives important information about your levels of free or unbound hormones which are biologically active and available for use.
Thyroid hormones
Free T3
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Triiodothyronine (T3) is the more active of the two thyroid hormones produced by the thyroid gland. Most T3 is bound to protein in the blood. Free T3 measures the level of T3 that is free, or unbound to protein, and is available to regulate metabolism.
Free thyroxine
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Thyroxine (T4) is one of two hormones produced by the thyroid gland. It works to speed up the rate of your metabolism. Most T4 is bound to carrier proteins in the blood - it is only the free, or unbound, T4 that is active in the body, which is measured in this test. Free T4 is the less active of the two main thyroid hormones. To have an impact on your cells it needs to convert to the more active T3 when your body needs it.
TSH
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Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is produced in the pituitary gland in order to regulate the production of thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) by the thyroid gland. If thyroid hormones in the blood are low, then more TSH is produced to stimulate the thyroid gland to produce more of them. If thyroid hormone levels are high, then the pituitary produces less TSH to slow the production of thyroid hormones. If TSH is too high or too low, it normally signifies that there is a problem with the thyroid gland which is causing it to under or over produce thyroid hormones. Sometimes a disorder of the pituitary gland can also cause abnormal TSH levels.
Vitamins
Folate - serum
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Folate is a B vitamin which acts as a coenzyme in the metabolism of amino acids. It is also vital for the synthesis of purines and pyrimidines which are essential for DNA synthesis and red cell formation. Folate is also especially important during the first trimester of pregnancy so if you are thinking of becoming pregnant it is important to make sure your folate levels are normal.
Vitamin B12 - active
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Vitamin B12 is important for production of red blood cells which carry oxygen around the body. B12 is also involved in metabolism and the nervous system and prolonged lack of vitamin B12 may cause nerve damage. Although Vitamin B12 is almost entirely found in animal-based foods, many vegetarian and vegan products, especially plant milks are now fortified with Vitamin B12.
Vitamin D
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Despite its name, vitamin D is actually a hormone that’s produced by your skin when it’s exposed to sunshine. Before your body can use vitamin D produced by sun exposure (known as vitamin D3), it must be converted into another form called 25 hydroxycholecalciferol (25 OH). Vitamin D (25 OH) is the major circulating form of vitamin D, and so your vitamin D (25 OH) level is considered the most accurate indicator of vitamin D supply to your body.
Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones and teeth, as it helps your body absorb calcium. It also plays a role in muscle health, immune function, and mental health.
Low vitamin D symptoms include muscle weakness, mood swings, and fatigue. Many people in the UK have low vitamin D levels, and people with dark skin and people who don’t spend much time outdoors are particularly at risk.
Small amounts of vitamin D can be obtained from food, especially oily fish, eggs, and vitamin-D fortified foods. But if you have a vitamin D deficiency, you’re unlikely to be able to improve your levels by food alone.
How to prepare for your test
Prepare for your Female Fertility IQ Test by following these instructions.
Sample collection and timing
- Take your sample between 6am and 10am.
- Take this test when any symptoms of short-term illness have settled.
- Avoid vigorous exercise or sexual activity for 48 hours beforehand – both can raise your prolactin level.
- Avoid nipple stimulation, as this can increase prolactin levels.
Periods and contraception
- Take this test two to five days after the start of your period, ideally on day three if you're taking this test to learn more about your fertility. It can be taken any time if you do not have periods.
- Hormonal contraception can affect the results of this test. Taking a break from this and waiting for your periods to restart before your blood test will give more accurate results.
Fasting and hydration
- Taking this test fasted is preferable but not compulsory as eating can impact prolactin levels.
Medications and supplements
- Do not take biotin supplements for two days before this test, discuss this with your doctor if it is prescribed.
- Do not take vitamin B12 for two weeks prior to this test. If your B12 is prescribed ask your doctor whether to stop.
- If you take levothyroxine or desiccated thyroid extract (DTE), take your blood test before your dose for the most accurate thyroid function results. If you have to take your blood test later in the day, aim to leave at least six hours between taking levothyroxine medication and your blood draw (or 12 hours after DTE/T3 medication). Please also let us know in the supporting information if you take amiodarone or lithium, as these can also affect your results.
- Take your sample at least 24 hours after any vitamin or mineral supplements.
Test limitations
This test can't confirm fertility, diagnose conditions such as PCOS or endometriosis, or assess egg quality. AMH reflects the quantity of your remaining eggs but not their quality or your chances of conceiving naturally. Progesterone isn't included as it's taken on day 21, so the test can't confirm whether ovulation is occurring.
FSH, LH and oestradiol are most informative when taken on days 2–5 of your cycle. If you use hormonal contraception or HRT, results may not reflect your baseline reproductive hormones.
Fertility is influenced by many factors beyond hormones and nutrition, so this test is best used as a starting point rather than a definitive answer. Results should be interpreted alongside a full clinical assessment if you have concerns.
FAQs
What does the Female Fertility IQ Test check?
This test checks AMH, reproductive hormones such as FSH, LH, oestradiol and testosterone, as well as thyroid function and nutritional markers. Together, these can help give a broader picture of factors that may be relevant to ovarian reserve, cycle health, and reproductive wellbeing.
Can this test tell me if I’m fertile?
No, this test can’t confirm whether you’re fertile or predict whether you’ll conceive naturally. Fertility depends on many factors, including ovulation, egg quality, sperm health, fallopian tube health, and overall health. This test can highlight useful hormone and nutritional insights, but it isn’t a definitive fertility assessment.
What does AMH show?
AMH gives an indication of ovarian reserve, which relates to the number of eggs remaining. It doesn’t measure egg quality, confirm ovulation or tell you your exact chances of getting pregnant naturally. AMH results are most useful when interpreted alongside your age, cycle history, and wider clinical picture.
Can this test diagnose PCOS or endometriosis?
No, this test can’t diagnose PCOS, endometriosis, or other fertility-related conditions. It may show hormone patterns that could support further investigation, but diagnosis usually requires a clinical review and sometimes additional tests, scans or specialist assessment.
Does this test confirm ovulation?
No, this test doesn’t include progesterone, which is the main blood marker used to check whether ovulation has occurred. Progesterone needs to be tested at a specific point in the cycle, usually around 7 days before your period, rather than at the same time as early-cycle fertility hormones.
When should I take this test?
FSH, LH and oestradiol are usually most informative when tested on days 2–5 of your menstrual cycle, and ideally on day 3. If your periods are irregular, absent, or you’re using hormonal contraception or HRT, your results may be harder to interpret and may not reflect your natural baseline hormone levels.
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