Evidence-Based Supplement & Herb Guides

Menopause Hormone Test Panel: FSH, Estradiol, LH, AMH, Symptoms, and Results

Learn when FSH, estradiol, LH, and AMH testing helps assess menopause and perimenopause, including result patterns, symptoms, limitations, and follow-up.

A menopause hormone test panel may include follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, luteinizing hormone (LH), and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH). These markers reflect ovarian activity and...

Ovarian Reserve Test Panel: AMH, FSH, Estradiol, Inhibin B, and Results

Learn how AMH, FSH, estradiol, and inhibin B ovarian reserve tests are timed and interpreted, including low, high, and discordant results.

An ovarian reserve test panel estimates how the ovaries may respond to fertility treatment by measuring anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, and...

Ovulation Blood Test Panel: LH Surge, Progesterone, Estradiol, and Results

Understand how LH, progesterone, and estradiol blood tests track ovulation, when each test should be timed, and what high, low, or mismatched results mean.

An ovulation blood test panel uses luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone, and estradiol to determine whether an egg is developing, whether an LH surge is...

PCOS Hormone Test Panel: Testosterone, DHEA-S, LH/FSH Ratio, Insulin, and Results

Learn how testosterone, DHEA-S, the LH/FSH ratio, insulin, and glucose tests are used in PCOS, what abnormal patterns mean, and which mimics must be excluded.

A PCOS hormone test panel may include total and free testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), LH, FSH, glucose testing, and sometimes...

Precocious Puberty Hormone Test Panel: LH, FSH, Estradiol, Testosterone, and Results

Learn how LH, FSH, estradiol, and testosterone are used to distinguish central from peripheral precocious puberty and what testing, imaging, and follow-up may involve.

A precocious puberty hormone test panel measures luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, or testosterone to determine whether a child’s reproductive hormone system...

Progesterone Blood Test: High, Low, Normal Range, Ovulation, and Results

Understand progesterone blood test timing, normal ranges, ovulation thresholds, and possible causes of high or low results in menstrual cycles, fertility care, and pregnancy.

A progesterone blood test measures a hormone that rises after ovulation and supports the uterine lining in early pregnancy. The result is most useful...

Prolactin Blood Test: High, Low, Normal Range, Fertility, Pituitary, and Results

Learn what high or low prolactin blood test results mean, how prolactin affects fertility and pituitary function, and when repeat testing, MRI, or treatment is needed.

A prolactin blood test measures a pituitary hormone best known for stimulating breast milk production. Outside pregnancy and breastfeeding, persistently high prolactin can suppress...

Reproductive Hormone Panel: Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone, FSH, LH, Prolactin, and Results

Learn how estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, FSH, LH, and prolactin results are interpreted together for fertility, periods, gonadal function, and pituitary health.

A reproductive hormone panel measures estrogen—usually estradiol—progesterone, testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and prolactin. The panel can help evaluate irregular periods, infertility,...

Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG) Test: High, Low, Normal Range, and Results

Learn what high or low SHBG blood test results mean, how SHBG changes free testosterone, common causes, normal-range limits, and appropriate follow-up testing.

A sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) test measures a liver-made protein that binds testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and estradiol in the bloodstream. SHBG helps determine how much...

Testosterone Blood Test: High, Low, Normal Range, Fertility, and Results

Learn how total and free testosterone blood tests are timed and interpreted, including high and low causes, normal-range limits, fertility effects, and appropriate follow-up.

A testosterone blood test measures total testosterone and, when needed, free or bioavailable testosterone. Testosterone is produced mainly by the testes in men and...

Beta-hCG Test: Pregnancy, Ectopic Pregnancy, Miscarriage, and Results

Understand beta-hCG testing for early pregnancy, expected rises and falls, ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage patterns, result limits, and when urgent care is needed.

A beta-hCG test measures the beta portion of human chorionic gonadotropin, the hormone that usually becomes detectable after an embryo implants. Clinicians use it...

Early Pregnancy Blood Test Panel: hCG, Progesterone, Estradiol, and Results

Learn how an early pregnancy blood panel combines hCG, progesterone, and estradiol, what result patterns may mean, and why ultrasound and clinical follow-up remain essential.

An early pregnancy blood test panel may measure human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), progesterone, and estradiol to provide a broader view of implantation and early...

Ectopic Pregnancy Blood Test Panel: hCG Trends, Progesterone, and Results

Understand how serial hCG and progesterone are used in ectopic pregnancy assessment, what trend patterns may mean, and why ultrasound and urgent symptom review are essential.

An ectopic pregnancy blood test panel usually centers on serial quantitative human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), with progesterone sometimes added as a supporting marker. These...

Estradiol Test in Pregnancy: Estrogen Levels, Placenta Function, and Results

Understand estradiol testing in pregnancy, including normal variability, fertility-treatment effects, low and high results, placental biology, and appropriate clinical follow-up.

An estradiol test measures estradiol, or E2, the most biologically active estrogen before pregnancy and one of several estrogens that rise during gestation. The...

Estriol Test in Pregnancy: Placenta Health, Fetal Screening, and Results

Learn what unconjugated estriol measures in pregnancy, how low and high results affect quad-screen risk, and which ultrasound, screening, or diagnostic follow-up may be offered.

An estriol test in pregnancy usually measures unconjugated estriol, or uE3, as one component of second-trimester prenatal screening. Estriol is an estrogen produced through...

Free Beta-hCG Test: First-Trimester Screening and Results

Understand free beta-hCG first-trimester screening, MoM values, high and low results, trisomy risk calculations, and follow-up testing options.

The free beta-hCG test measures one portion of human chorionic gonadotropin in maternal blood and is mainly used as part of first-trimester chromosome screening....

hCG Doubling Time Test: Early Pregnancy Levels, Trends, and Results

Learn how hCG doubling time is calculated, expected early pregnancy rises, slow or falling trends, ultrasound timing, and when ectopic symptoms need urgent care.

An hCG doubling time test is not a separate laboratory assay. It is an interpretation of two or more quantitative serum human chorionic gonadotropin...

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) Blood Test: Positive, Negative, Levels, and Results

Learn how an hCG blood test reports positive, negative, and borderline results, how early pregnancy levels change, and when repeat testing or ultrasound is needed.

A human chorionic gonadotropin blood test detects hCG, a hormone made mainly by placental tissue after an embryo implants. Serum testing can identify very...

Human Placental Lactogen (hPL) Test: Placenta Function, Pregnancy Hormone, and Results

Learn what human placental lactogen does, why hPL testing is uncommon, what low or high results may mean, and how placental function is assessed in pregnancy.

Human placental lactogen, or hPL, is a protein hormone made by the placenta that helps shift maternal metabolism so the fetus has a steady...

Inhibin A Test in Pregnancy: Quad Screen, Down Syndrome Risk, and Results

Understand inhibin A in the quad screen, MoM values, high results, Down syndrome risk calculations, placental associations, and follow-up testing options.

Inhibin A is a placental and ovarian protein measured in maternal blood as one part of the second-trimester quad screen. The laboratory combines inhibin...