Infertility Panel for Women

A Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate test measures the levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) in the blood. DHEAS is a steroid hormone that is present in both males and females. It is primarily produced by the adrenal glands, with smaller amounts produced by ovaries in females and testicles in males. 

DHEAS plays a role in developing male secondary sexual characteristics at puberty. The body can convert it into more potent androgens like testosterone and androstenedione. Also, it can be converted into the female hormone estrogen. 

A Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate test helps diagnose and differentiate certain endocrine disorders, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of hormonal balance in the body.

The AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone) test measures the levels of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) in the body. This hormone is produced by the testes in men and the ovaries in women. In women, the test shows how many eggs are left in the ovaries, helps check fertility and predicts how the body may respond to treatments like IVF. It can also help diagnose conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In boys and men, AMH reflects Sertoli cell function; low levels in infants/children can indicate testicular dysfunction, undescended testes, or some disorders of sex development. AMH interpretation in adult men is different and must be correlated with other tests.

An E2 (Estradiol) test measures estradiol levels, a hormone produced in men and women. It helps assess early or delayed puberty, menstrual problems, symptoms associated with menopause, or certain cancers like ovarian cancer. This test provides valuable information about ovarian function and aids doctors in evaluating menstrual issues, such as abnormal bleeding or missed periods. The test can also assess the health of the testes, ovaries, or adrenal glands. Most diseases associated with estrogen/estradiol, such as PCOS, infertility, some cancers, etc., can be prevented by lifestyle modifications, menopausal hormone therapy, or other supplements such as calcium, vitamin D, and micronutrients.

The Follicle Stimulating Hormone test measures the level of FSH in your body. FSH is produced and subsequently released into the blood by the pituitary gland. Its production is controlled by a feedback mechanism involving a hormone situated in the hypothalamus in the brain. The released FSH travels through your blood and then attaches to receptors in the ovaries and testes. It exerts functional effects on the reproductive organs, such as sexual development, puberty, and maturation. FSH levels vary throughout the menstrual cycle in response to estradiol and progesterone. Any disruption or issue in this feedback mechanism can prevent the normal function of the testicles or ovaries. Thus, determining its level provides crucial information regarding your health.

The Serum Prolactin test measures how much prolactin hormone is in the blood. During pregnancy, prolactin works along with estrogen and progesterone to prepare the body for breastfeeding. After delivery, prolactin helps start and maintain milk production. If a woman does not breastfeed, her prolactin levels drop soon after birth.

Besides pregnancy, the most common cause of high prolactin is a prolactinoma. It is a non-cancerous tumor in the pituitary gland. These tumors are more common in women but can also occur in men. If the tumor becomes large, it may press on the optic nerve, causing headaches and vision problems. It can also affect the production of other hormones.

The TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) Ultrasensitive test measures the levels of TSH hormone in the blood. TSH is produced by the pituitary gland located at the base of the brain. Its function is to stimulate and regulate the functioning of the thyroid gland. It signals the thyroid gland to increase or decrease the production of thyroid hormones T3 and T4 when their levels are low or high, respectively. Therefore, when the levels of T3 & T4 decrease, the pituitary gland is stimulated to release TSH. This high TSH level, in turn, stimulates the thyroid gland to release more thyroid hormones (T3 & T4). It conversely happens when the levels of thyroid hormones increase.

The Luteinising Hormone test determines the level of luteinizing hormone that promotes the functioning of the gonads, i.e., testes in men and ovaries in women. LH is produced by the pituitary gland, a pea-sized gland situated at the base of the brain. The production and release of LH are controlled by a system known as the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. A hormone called GnRH is released from the hypothalamus of the brain and binds to the cell receptors in the anterior pituitary gland, which in turn prompts the synthesis and release of luteinizing hormone. LH then travels across the blood and attaches to its target cells in the testes in men and ovaries in women to facilitate optimal sexual and reproductive activities.

The Testosterone Total test measures the level of testosterone hormone available in the blood. This includes two forms of testosterone: free testosterone and bound testosterone. Bound testosterone is attached to proteins, mainly to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and albumin. It cannot enter the body's cells or directly affect tissues and organs. Instead, it acts as a store of testosterone in the blood and can be released when the body needs it. Free testosterone is not attached to any proteins and is the active form. It can easily transport to various tissues, and affects key functions like sex drive, muscle growth, bone strength, and energy levels.