HRT Blood Test

Name: HRT Blood Test
Brand: Medichecks
SKU: HRT
Price: 89.0 GBP
Availability: InStock

£89

Link

Are you taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT)? This test measures your oestradiol, progesterone, and FSH levels while you're on treatment.

While HRT is usually adjusted according to your symptoms rather than blood test results alone, this test can provide additional information about your hormone levels. It can be useful for establishing a baseline, monitoring changes over time, and supporting conversations with your prescriber if your symptoms persist.

For more information on hormone testing when on HRT, visit our blog.

Results in 2 working days (estimated)
Convenient testing options
Bespoke doctor’s report
Free delivery

Measure your levels of oestradiol, progesterone and FSH while you're taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

How do you want to take your sample?

Collect your own finger-prick blood sample at home
Free

We’ll send you everything you need to collect your blood sample from your finger at home.
Book a venous draw at a clinic Venous
+£35

Visit one of our national clinic partners for a nurse to take your venous blood sample from a vein in your arm. We’ll email you instructions on how to book after we’ve processed your order.

Find my clinic
Book a venous draw at home with a nurse Venous
+£59

Book a home nurse appointment for a nurse to take your venous blood sample from a vein in your arm.
Self-arrange a professional sample collection Venous
Free

Make an appointment at a phlebotomy clinic to have your venous blood sample taken. You will be responsible for arranging your appointment and any additional fees.

Results only (without doctor's comments)

18+ Only. T&Cs apply.

Over 14,000 5 star reviews

Established in 2001

Accredited labs

Fast turnaround time.

Your health, expertly explained

Go beyond the numbers

Get ready to elevate your health understanding with a personalised doctor's report. Go beyond results and tap into expert insights tailored just for you.

Actionable advice
Expert support
Tailored recommendations

Blood testing made easy

How it works

You have the flexibility to choose what works best for you. Enjoy the comfort of having a friendly nurse visit your home for a quick blood draw, opt for a convenient visit to one of our nationwide partner clinics, or self-arrange a draw at a location that suits you.

Take control of your health with Medichecks – order your blood test today!

Our portal, your results

Track, improve, and monitor your health over time.

MyMedichecks is your personal online dashboard where you can view your results, access clear and simple explanations about individual health markers, monitor changes in your health, and securely store information about your medical history, lifestyle and vital statistics.

Supported by a team of specialist and qualified doctors

Dr Natasha Fernando
Medical Director
Dr Tina Ghela
Digital Clinician Lead
Dr Susanna Hayter
Digital Clinician

What's in the test?

Hormones

FSH

Learn more

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.

Oestradiol

Learn more

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.

Progesterone

Learn more

Progesterone is a steroid hormone produced in the corpus luteum and the adrenal glands. Its main role is to prepare the body for and support a pregnancy. It is produced in increasing amounts in the second half of the menstrual cycle. Although progesterone is considered a female hormone, men also produce progesterone in the adrenal glands and the testes. Progesterone in men plays a role in testosterone production.

How to prepare for your test

Prepare for your HRT Blood Test by following these instructions.

Sample collection and timing

Avoid taking a finger-prick sample from a finger used to apply hormone gels/pessaries/patches in the past 4 weeks. Use gloves to apply these.

Medications and supplements

Do not take biotin supplements for two days before this test, discuss this with your doctor if it is prescribed.

Test limitations

Current guidance from the British Menopause Society and NICE recommends adjusting HRT primarily according to symptoms rather than blood hormone results.

Oestradiol levels vary depending on the type and dose of HRT, the timing of your last application or dose, and individual differences in absorption and metabolism. Therefore, levels do not always correlate with symptom control. A result within a typical range does not guarantee symptoms are well managed, and a lower result does not necessarily mean your HRT is not working.

If you take oral oestrogen (tablets), blood oestradiol is not a reliable measure of treatment response because much of the oestradiol is converted to oestrone before it reaches the bloodstream.

If you are perimenopausal, this test cannot distinguish between oestrogen produced naturally by your body and oestrogen from HRT.

Finger-prick samples may be affected by contamination if the sampling finger has come into contact with hormone gels, sprays or pessaries within the previous 4 weeks, even after washing.

Despite these limitations, many people find this test useful. It can provide a baseline for monitoring over time, help identify possible absorption issues if HRT does not seem to be working as expected, or support discussions with a prescriber when symptoms persist despite higher-dose treatment. This test is not a substitute for clinical review, and we recommend discussing your results alongside your symptoms with your HRT prescriber before making any changes to your treatment.

Reviews

FAQs

What can I learn from this test?

Our test checks for three hormones: oestradiol, progesterone, and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

Who should take this test?

Our test can be taken once you have reached menopause. If you have applied hormone gels, pessaries, or patches in the past four weeks, avoid taking your blood sample from the same finger you used to apply them. If you take biotin supplements, then we recommend that you don't take them for two days before this test. If you have been prescribed the supplements, discuss this with your doctor before you alter your dosage.

What is HRT?

Broadly, HRT means the replacement of any deficient hormone. More commonly and in the case of our test, it refers to using oestrogen and progesterone to relieve menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, lethargy, sleep disturbance, and vaginal dryness. Oestrogen hormones also help to prevent osteoporosis and atherosclerosis.

Will this test tell me if my HRT dose is right for me?

Not on its own. Current guidance from the British Menopause Society and NICE recommends that HRT is adjusted mainly based on symptoms rather than blood hormone levels, because oestradiol results vary considerably and don't reliably predict how well someone's symptoms will be controlled. This test is best used as a snapshot or baseline - for example, to check for possible absorption issues, to track change over time, or as a starting point for a conversation with your HRT prescriber, especially if your symptoms aren't well controlled.

I'm on oral HRT (tablets) - is this test still useful for me?

Blood oestradiol testing is generally not considered useful for people taking oral oestrogen, because most oral oestradiol is converted to a different hormone (oestrone) in the liver before it reaches the bloodstream, so the result doesn't reflect your treatment well. If this applies to you, your progesterone and FSH results may still be of interest, but we'd suggest focusing on your symptoms when discussing your oral HRT dose with your prescriber.