Blood test home kit UK
Female Hormone and Metabolic Blood Test Home Kit UK
A seven marker panel connecting reproductive hormone signals with androgen context, HbA1c and vitamin D.
Irregular periods, acne, hair changes and weight concerns may cross reproductive and metabolic pathways. The test helps organise those questions, but cycle timing and clinical history determine whether the numbers are meaningful.
When the test may be useful
Begin with the question you are trying to answer
- Irregular or absent periods
- Acne or increased facial hair with cycle changes
- A previous hormone result needing cycle context
- Glucose risk concerns alongside reproductive symptoms
Choose a clinical route instead when
- Diagnosing PCOS, menopause, infertility or diabetes
- Interpreting hormones without cycle day or medicine history
- Severe pelvic pain, possible pregnancy or very heavy bleeding
The panel at a glance
How the included markers are organised
Timing is part of the result
How menstrual cycle context changes interpretation
Colour coded, clinically cautious
What the result indicators mean
Colours help you scan the report. They do not decide the diagnosis. Reference intervals vary with the laboratory, method, age, sex, cycle stage and clinical circumstances.
Marker by marker
Indicators and what they may mean
Open a marker to view a concise explanation, the colour scale and the supplier derived interpretation bands.
Luteinising hormone
Luteinising hormone, known as LH, is produced by the pituitary gland. In women it helps regulate the menstrual cycle and triggers ovulation. Levels vary substantially according to cycle stage and are naturally highest around the midcycle surge. LH may provide context when reviewing irregular cycles, ovulation, pituitary signalling, ovarian function or menopause. It is not diagnostic of infertility or polycystic ovary syndrome by itself.
A lower result can be normal at some cycle stages. It can also occur with reduced pituitary stimulation, low energy availability, significant weight change, chronic illness or certain medicines.
Review the finding with a doctor in the context of cycle day, symptoms and medicines.The result falls within the reference interval for the recorded cycle stage or postmenopausal status.
Continue to consider symptoms and the accompanying FSH and androgen results.A raised result can reflect the normal midcycle LH surge. Outside that context it may occur after menopause, with reduced ovarian function or in some people with polycystic ovary syndrome.
Review the finding with a doctor before drawing conclusions.Free androgen index
Free androgen index, known as FAI, is a calculation using total testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin. It estimates the proportion of circulating testosterone that may be more readily available to tissues. FAI can provide additional context where symptoms suggest androgen excess, such as acne, increased facial or body hair, scalp hair thinning or irregular cycles. It is not diagnostic of polycystic ovary syndrome or an ovarian or adrenal condition by itself.
A lower result can reflect lower testosterone, higher SHBG, hormone treatment, pregnancy, thyroid or liver factors, or normal individual variation.
Review the finding with your GP if symptoms are present.The calculated value sits inside the reporting laboratory’s reference interval.
A value in range does not exclude every cause of symptoms.The calculation could not be produced or cannot be interpreted reliably, often because testosterone or SHBG was outside the analytical range or the required information was incomplete.
Review the finding with a clinician and follow any laboratory recommendation for repeat testing.A raised result can reflect higher testosterone, lower SHBG or both. It can occur with polycystic ovary syndrome, some medicines, hormone use or less common ovarian or adrenal conditions.
See your GP for clinical assessment before making treatment decisions.HbA1c
HbA1c reflects average blood glucose exposure over approximately the previous two to three months. It can provide metabolic context and may identify results within a high risk or diabetes range when the test is clinically appropriate. It does not explain the cause of a raised result and should not be used alone to diagnose a complex endocrine condition.
A lower result can be normal for some people, but can also be influenced by shortened red blood cell survival, blood loss or another medical factor.
Discuss an unexpectedly low result with your doctor.The result is below the laboratory threshold used for high risk or diabetes range results.
Seek medical advice if you have increased thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss or persistent tiredness.An HbA1c of 42 to 47 mmol/mol is commonly described in UK guidance as indicating a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Discuss risk reduction, follow up and repeat testing with your GP.An HbA1c of 48 mmol/mol or above is within the range used to diagnose diabetes when the test is suitable. Confirmation may be required when symptoms are absent.
Arrange a medical review as soon as possible if diabetes has not already been diagnosed.For someone already living with diabetes, interpretation depends on the personalised target agreed with the diabetes team.
Review the finding with your GP, diabetes nurse or specialist.Vitamin D
Vitamin D supports calcium absorption and normal bones, teeth and muscles. It is obtained through sunlight exposure, food and supplements. Low vitamin D is common in the United Kingdom, particularly during autumn and winter, in people with limited sunlight exposure and in people with darker skin.
A result in the lowest band can sometimes reflect significant deficiency and requires assessment of the cause and any related bone or muscle effects.
Review the finding with a doctor as soon as possible.A result below 25 nmol/L is commonly regarded in UK guidance as deficient. Symptoms can include muscle weakness or bone pain, although many people have no specific symptoms.
Discuss treatment and further assessment with a doctor or pharmacist.The result is below the preferred interval and may be associated with limited sunlight exposure, diet, poor absorption or increased requirements.
Discuss suitable next steps with a healthcare professional.A result between 25 and 50 nmol/L is commonly regarded as insufficient for some people.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist about diet, safe sunlight exposure and appropriate supplementation.Significant deficiency has not been identified.
Persistent symptoms still require a wider medical assessment.The result is sufficient for most people and supports normal bone and muscle health.
Maintain it with sensible lifestyle measures.The laboratory has placed the value inside its stated reference interval.
Avoid unnecessary high dose supplements.The result falls within the interval regarded as favourable by the reporting laboratory.
Continue sensible measures to maintain the level.A high result is most commonly associated with excessive supplementation and can disturb calcium balance.
Arrange medical review and stop non prescribed high dose supplements until advised.The result is within a range where vitamin D toxicity must be considered. Possible effects include nausea, weakness, thirst, frequent urination, confusion and kidney problems.
Obtain an immediate medical review.Sex hormone binding globulin
Sex hormone binding globulin, known as SHBG, is a protein produced mainly by the liver. It binds testosterone and oestradiol and influences how much hormone is available to tissues. SHBG is used with total testosterone to calculate FAI. It can be influenced by thyroid function, liver health, weight, insulin resistance, pregnancy and hormone medicines.
A lower SHBG value can be seen with insulin resistance, higher body weight, an underactive thyroid, androgen exposure or some medicines. It can increase the calculated FAI.
Review the finding with your GP in the context of symptoms and other results.The value sits inside the interval expected by the reporting laboratory and supports interpretation of testosterone and FAI.
A normal SHBG result does not exclude every hormone related condition.A raised SHBG value can be seen with pregnancy, an overactive thyroid, liver conditions or oestrogen containing treatment. It can reduce the calculated FAI.
Review the finding with your GP if it is unexpected.Total testosterone
Testosterone is present in women as well as men. In women it is produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands and contributes to sexual function, muscle, bone and other physiological processes. Total testosterone includes both protein bound and unbound testosterone. It should be interpreted with SHBG, FAI, symptoms, cycle information and medicines.
A lower result can occur with ovarian or adrenal factors, illness, some medicines, hormone treatment or normal individual variation. Symptoms such as low libido and tiredness have many possible causes.
Discuss persistent symptoms with your GP.The laboratory has placed the value inside its stated reference interval.
A value in range does not exclude every cause of acne, hair changes, irregular cycles or other symptoms.A raised result can occur with polycystic ovary syndrome, anabolic steroid or testosterone exposure, some medicines or less common ovarian or adrenal conditions.
See your GP for clinical assessment and possible further testing.Follicle stimulating hormone
Follicle stimulating hormone, known as FSH, is produced by the pituitary gland. In women it supports the growth of ovarian follicles and changes throughout the menstrual cycle and across reproductive life. FSH may provide context when reviewing cycle irregularity, ovarian function, pituitary signalling or menopause. It is not a direct measure of fertility and cannot predict whether a person will conceive.
A lower result can be normal at some cycle stages. It can also occur with reduced pituitary stimulation, low energy availability, significant weight change, chronic illness or certain medicines.
Review the finding with a doctor in the context of cycle day and symptoms.The result falls within the reference interval for the recorded cycle stage or postmenopausal status.
Interpret it with LH, symptoms and medical history.A raised result can occur as ovarian function declines, including around menopause. It can also occur after some ovarian treatments or with other ovarian conditions.
Review the finding with your GP, particularly if cycles are irregular or absent.From order to report
How the home test pathway works
Choose with purpose
Review the exact markers, the collection method and the important limitations before ordering.
Receive and register
The kit is dispatched with the required equipment and registration instructions for the relevant laboratory pathway.
Prepare correctly
Follow the product specific timing, fasting, medicine and supplement guidance. Preparation affects interpretation.
Collect at home
Collect the finger prick capillary blood sample exactly as instructed. Insufficient or incorrectly labelled samples may not be suitable for analysis.
Return promptly
Use the supplied return materials and remain within the stated sample stability window.
View results securely
The report is delivered through the secure digital results pathway once laboratory processing and quality checks are complete.
Fact checked and medically reviewed
Clinical and editorial oversight
This page was prepared using the supplier specification and the UK medical, regulatory and professional sources listed below. Medical review is attributed to Dr Laura Geige, Veronika Matutyte, Dr Rimas Geiga. The wider clinic advisory team is shown in a compact format to preserve readability.
Dr Laura Geige Medical Director, Senior Practitioner and Skin Expert Page reviewer
Dr Giedre Narkiene Medical Doctor, Board Certified Dermatologist and Advisory Board Member Advisory contributor
Veronika Matutyte Medical Doctor, Healthcare Management Expert and Advisory Board Member Page reviewer
Dr Snieguole Geige Aesthetic Dentist, Medical Doctor and Advisory Board Member Advisory contributor
Dr Rimas Geiga Medical Doctor, Nutritional Sciences Adviser and Advisory Board Member Page reviewerIt’s Me & You Clinic, Kingston upon Thames
Private health information with a doctor led perspective
The clinic offers a calm, consultation led setting in Kingston upon Thames for women who want results considered alongside menstrual history, symptoms and treatment rather than reduced to a single hormone label.
Find the clinic
Office 7, Siddeley House, 50 Canbury Park Road
Kingston upon Thames KT2 6LX
Questions, without the heavy boxes
Common questions
Which cycle day should I test?
Follow the timing supplied with the kit or the advice of your clinician. LH and FSH change across the cycle, so the recorded day forms part of interpretation.
Can this test diagnose PCOS?
No. PCOS assessment can involve symptoms, cycle history, examination, blood tests and sometimes ultrasound. One panel cannot confirm or exclude it.
Why is HbA1c included with hormones?
It adds longer term glucose context because metabolic and reproductive concerns can overlap in some presentations.
Can hormonal contraception affect the results?
Yes. Contraception, HRT, pregnancy and fertility medicines can substantially change reproductive hormone values.
What does an undefined free androgen index mean?
The calculation may not be reliable when testosterone or SHBG falls outside an analytical range or required information is incomplete. Follow the laboratory recommendation.
UK medical and laboratory sources
Evidence used for this page
- North Bristol NHS Trust guidance on FSH cycle timing
- NICE guidance on HbA1c and high risk of type 2 diabetes
- NICE guidance on diabetes range HbA1c results
- NHS laboratory guidance on vitamin D thresholds
- UKAS medical laboratory accreditation information
- CQC guidance on diagnostic and screening services
- UK government guidance on UKCA medical device conformity
Home testing provides laboratory information, not a diagnosis. Do not delay urgent care while waiting for a kit or result. Call 999 for a medical emergency. Use NHS 111 or an appropriate clinician when symptoms are urgent but not immediately life threatening. Do not start, stop or alter prescribed treatment solely because of a home result.
