What is the Day 2 Hormone Test?
The Day 2 hormone test is a blood test to check egg count and hormone levels, done on the second day of your menstrual cycle- meaning the second day of full bleeding, not just spotting.
This test checks a set of key hormones that govern your reproductive cycle, egg development, and ovulation. It’s often referred to as the period Day 2 test, egg testing for fertility, or egg reserve count panel.
The core hormones tested:
-
FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)
-
LH (Luteinizing Hormone)
-
Estradiol (E2)
-
AMH (Anti- Müllerian Hormone) – can be tested any day, but often bundled with Day 2 labs
-
TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)
-
Prolactin
Depending on symptoms, doctors may also test:
-
Free Testosterone
-
DHEA- S
-
Insulin or HbA1c
-
Vitamin D, B12, or Cortisol (in some cases)
Many women refer to this as a female egg count test, egg reserve count test, or even a test to determine egg count- especially when trying to find out how many eggs you have left.
Why Day 2? What’s special about it?
Your menstrual cycle isn’t just about your period- it’s a complex hormonal orchestra. And Day 2 is when the curtains rise.
1. It’s the baseline
Day 2 falls in the early follicular phase, when hormones like FSH and LH are at their resting levels. This gives the clearest baseline to assess ovarian function- crucial if you're doing an egg cell count test, ovarian count test, or other fertility- related labs.
2. Your brain is just beginning to give instructions
On Day 2, your pituitary gland begins signaling your ovaries to recruit follicles. Measuring hormones now helps assess how your body is responding- especially in a blood test to determine egg count.
3. Testing too early or too late can skew results
If you test before your period starts or too late in the cycle, hormone levels may reflect different phases. That can distort results in a test to check egg count or test that tells you how many eggs you have left.
For example:
-
FSH might look falsely low
-
Estradiol might be elevated
-
LH may surge unpredictably
For accurate ovum count testing or an egg count test for women, timing matters.
What does each hormone tell you?
Each marker offers a specific insight, especially when you're using this panel as an at home egg count test, or to check how many eggs you have left.
-
FSH tells us how hard your brain is working to recruit an egg. Higher levels can indicate a lower ovarian reserve, commonly flagged in low egg count tests.
-
LH works with FSH to help the egg mature. A high LH:FSH ratio is often seen in PCOS and can influence your ovulation patterns.
-
Estradiol is estrogen produced by developing follicles. If it's elevated too early, it might suggest cysts or prematurely stimulated follicles.
-
TSH is key to thyroid health, which directly affects ovulation, cycles, and miscarriage risk.
-
Prolactin at high levels can interfere with ovulation and regular cycles.
-
AMH reflects your egg reserve count and is stable throughout the cycle, often included in egg count test near meor ovarian count panels.
What do Day 2 results actually mean?
Let’s say your FSH is high and estradiol is low- that could mean your ovaries are struggling to respond, a pattern common in reduced ovarian reserve. If LH is high and FSH is normal, especially with an LH:FSH ratio above 2:1, it might indicate PCOS.
An elevated estradiol result early in the cycle could suggest a cyst, or it could be masking a high FSH level, giving a false impression of a "normal" egg count.
These kinds of patterns are why a Day 2 hormone test is often used to test to count your eggs, especially in prep for IVF or egg freezing.
How do I prepare?
-
Book your egg count test on Day 2 or Day 3 of your cycle
-
Day 2 = second day of full bleeding (not spotting)
-
Avoid heavy exercise or high stress right before the test
-
Share any meds or supplements with your doctor- they may affect results
-
Track symptoms like acne, hair fall, or irregular periods- they help interpret the labs
Do I need to repeat it every cycle?
Usually, no. This test gives a reliable egg reserve snapshot. But you may need a repeat if:
-
You’ve started new medications
-
Your cycles have changed significantly
-
You're preparing for IVF or egg freezing, where timing is more critical
What about doing an egg count test at home?
At- home fertility test kits are becoming increasingly popular- especially for people looking for a test to check your egg count in a private, stress- free way. These at home egg count tests typically include AMH testing, and sometimes a full hormone panel like this Day 2 test.
Just make sure you go with a trusted provider who offers accurate sampling and reliable reporting.
Final Word from Arva
The Day 2 hormone test isn’t just another blood test- it’s one of the most insightful ways to understand your current fertility status. Whether you’re 25 and just curious, or 35 and exploring IVF or egg freezing, it gives you data to make informed, confident decisions.
Still unsure how to interpret your results? At Arva, our fertility care team can walk you through every number and what it means- judgement- free, clear, and focused on you.
Because knowing your ovarian reserve count is one thing. Knowing what to do with that information? That’s where care begins.