What Is Hormone Testing?

Written by

Arva Health Team

29-Mar-2024

Cherries frozen in ice cubes, creating a refreshing and visually appealing image.
Cherries frozen in ice cubes, creating a refreshing and visually appealing image.
Cherries frozen in ice cubes, creating a refreshing and visually appealing image.

Considering egg freezing?

You're not alone.

As women like you and me prioritize their career and education, egg freezing is becoming a popular choice to preserve fertility for later.

But before diving into the process, understanding your hormonal health is crucial.

This is where we come in. At Arva, we know the absolute need to check up on your hormonal health to understand where you are in your fertility journey.

So we demystified how hormonal testing in India, looks like!

Read on to know!

Why is hormone testing important before egg freezing?

Hormone testing involves analyzing blood samples to measure the levels of specific hormones in your body.

Now imagine hormones as these tiny, chemical messengers that transport information throughout the body. They play a vital role in regulating various bodily functions, including fertility.

When it comes to egg freezing, a healthy hormonal balance is essential for optimal egg quality and quantity.

So what does hormone testing do?

Hormone testing helps assess your ovarian reserve, how well your ovaries are functioning, and identify any potential underlying hormonal imbalances that could impact egg retrieval success.

When should you get a hormone test done?

Ideally, before egg freezing.

It’s important to talk to your doctor about getting a hormone, specifically, a fertility test before you begin the egg freezing process. This baseline assessment can help determine if egg freezing is the right option for you and guide your doctor in personalizing your egg stimulation protocol during the procedure.

Where Arva’s Fertility test comes in as your one stop solution

Finding a comprehensive and convenient hormone testing option in India can be overwhelming, we get it.

We were on that journey ourselves before we realized that millions of women are going through the same. The lack of right resources at the right time, and the right place.

That’s why we created Arva’s fertility test!

Our fertility test offers a complete and convenient solution. This single test analyzes a total of 11 key hormones, providing a holistic overview of your hormonal health for egg freezing.

Here’s how we go about it:

Hormones tested in Arva’s fertility test:

  1. Estradiol (E2): Estradiol is the primary female sex hormone. It plays a crucial role in egg development and maturation. Normal E2 levels indicate healthy ovarian function and a favorable environment for egg growth.

  2. Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH): FSH is produced by the pituitary gland and stimulates the follicles in your ovaries to develop eggs. Higher FSH levels can indicate a decline in ovarian reserve, meaning fewer eggs are available.

  3. Luteinizing Hormone (LH): LH works alongside FSH to trigger ovulation. A surge in LH leads to egg release from the ovary. Monitoring LH levels helps determine the timing of egg retrieval during the egg freezing process.

  4. Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEA-S): DHEA-S is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands and converted into other hormones like estrogen. It can influence egg quality and may be used as an indicator of overall ovarian health.

  5. Free Thyroxine (Free T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3): These thyroid hormones regulate metabolism and other bodily functions. Abnormal thyroid function can disrupt ovulation and egg quality.

  6. Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH): TSH is produced by the pituitary gland and regulates the production of T4 and T3. Testing TSH levels helps assess overall thyroid function and identify potential imbalances.

  7. Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR Index): This index estimates your body's insulin sensitivity. Insulin resistance is linked to hormonal imbalances like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which can affect egg quality.

  8. Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH): AMH is produced by developing follicles in the ovaries. It reflects the number of remaining eggs and is a good indicator of ovarian reserve. Lower AMH levels may suggest a lower number of eggs available for retrieval.

  9. Prolactin: Prolactin is a hormone involved in milk production after childbirth. High prolactin levels can suppress ovulation, potentially impacting egg retrieval success.

Why Choose Arva for Your Fertility Test Before Egg Freezing?

Here's what makes Arva's fertility test a compelling choice for women considering egg freezing in India:

  1. Affordable and convenient: Compared to traditional clinic-based testing, Arva's home test provides a cost-effective option. Simply book an appointment, a friendly phlebotomist from our diagnostic partners will collect a blood sample at the comfort of your home.

  2. Pan-India availability: No matter where you are in India, Arva's test is accessible. You can easily book an appointment online.

  3. Comprehensive hormone panel: The test analyzes all the crucial hormones needed to assess your ovarian reserve and overall hormonal health for egg freezing.

  4. Personalized report: You'll receive a detailed and easy-to-understand report less than 48 hours later on your hormone levels. This report can be shared with your doctor to discuss your egg freezing journey.

Why choose Arva on your fertility journey

By understanding your hormonal profile through Arva's fertility test, you can make informed decisions about egg freezing and take proactive steps towards achieving your future family goals.

But remember, everyone’s journey is unique, and while this can be a starting step, it’s essential to consult a qualified healthcare professional to discuss your individual needs and tailor your egg freezing plan accordingly.

They can interpret your hormone test results, address any concerns, and guide you through the entire process.

With a clear understanding of your hormonal health and a personalized plan in place, we hope you can approach egg freezing with all the right knowledge, confidence and optimism.

You’ve got this!

TL;DR:

  • Women are having children later than ever — that, coupled with our sedentary lifestyles, stressful jobs and lack of information is making pregnancy harder as time goes by.

  • A Fertility Test is a blood test that determines the levels of certain hormones in your body and how they can impact your health.

  • Arva’s Fertility Test has been curated with the best doctors and specialists in the country to ensure we look for the right indicators, specifically for Indian women.

  • It’s a simple 3-step process:

    • Book an appointment

    • Track your cycle

    • Collect the sample

FAQs

1. What tests need to be done before egg freezing?

A comprehensive hormone panel including Estradiol (E2), FSH, LH, DHEA-S, Thyroid hormones (Free T4, T3, TSH), HOMA-IR, AMH, and Prolactin is needed before egg freezing. These hormones provide insights into your ovarian reserve (egg quantity), overall hormonal health, and potential factors affecting egg quality.


2. What hormone is tested for egg quality?

There isn't a single hormone solely dedicated to egg quality. However, a combination of hormones can indirectly indicate egg health. Estradiol (E2) reflects a favourable environment for egg growth within the ovaries. FSH levels can suggest a decline in ovarian reserve, potentially impacting egg quality. AMH levels directly correlate with the number of remaining eggs, and lower levels may suggest a decrease in quality as well.


3. What AMH level is needed for egg freezing?

There's no single AMH cut-off point for successful egg freezing. However, AMH levels generally provide an idea of your ovarian reserve and AMH levels (above 1.5-2 ng/mL) typically indicate a better response to ovarian stimulation medication and potentially a higher number of eggs retrieved.


4. What is the blood test for egg fertility?

There isn't a specific blood test solely for "egg fertility." However, a fertility test can help analyze the hormones involved, to check for any potential hormonal imbalances, and overall reproductive health.

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Fertility care, reimagined for India—on your timeline.

This site is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you're looking for medical advice, we suggest talking with a qualified physician.

55, 4th A Main, 5th Block, Koramangala, Bangalore, 560095

© 2023 Arva Health

Fertility care, reimagined for India—on your timeline.

This site is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you're looking for medical advice, we suggest talking with a qualified physician.

55, 4th A Main, 5th Block, Koramangala, Bangalore, 560095

© 2023 Arva Health

Fertility care, reimagined for India—on your timeline.

This site is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you're looking for medical advice, we suggest talking with a qualified physician.

55, 4th A Main, 5th Block, Koramangala, Bangalore, 560095

© 2023 Arva Health