Hormonprov

Hormonprov is a medical procedure used to assess the function of the body's hormonal systems by measuring the levels of hormones in the blood, urine, or saliva. Tests can be static, capturing a single hormone concentration, or dynamic, involving provocation or suppression to evaluate how the endocrine system responds to a stimulus.

Static hormone tests are the most common. They typically measure hormones such as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroid hormones, prolactin, cortisol, testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). In some cases, total hormone levels are reported along with free or bioavailable fractions. Sample types include serum blood draws and, less frequently, saliva or urine, depending on the hormone and clinical question. Timing, fasting status, and diurnal variation (for example, cortisol in the morning) are important considerations.

Provocation or suppression tests are used when a static result is inconclusive or when the regulatory pathway needs to be tested. Examples include the ACTH stimulation test for adrenal reserve, the dexamethasone suppression test for hypercortisolism, the GnRH stimulation test for pituitary function, and oral glucose tolerance-based tests for growth hormone assessment.

Indications for hormonprov include suspected thyroid disease, adrenal or pituitary disorders, reproductive health issues (infertility, irregular cycles, menopause), and suspected hypogonadism. Results are interpreted by clinicians using reference ranges that are specific to the laboratory, patient age, sex, and sometimes pregnancy status. Pre-analytical factors, medications, and biological variability can affect results, so abnormal findings are often confirmed with repeat testing or additional analyses.