Patient's question:
I am 32 years old this year, and my endocrine is always imbalanced. I have been very careful about my diet, but I don't excrete much. A lot of the food I eat just piles up in my stomach, making me feel very uncomfortable. So, I want to find a time to go to the hospital for a check-up, but I don't know which time is better to go, or how long the check-up will take, or how many issues need to be checked.Doctor's answer:
The most accurate time is on the third day of the menstrual period. The six hormones and their normal values: (Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH); Prolactin (PRL); Luteinizing hormone (LH); Estradiol (E2); Progesterone (P); Testosterone (T))1) Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): A glycoprotein hormone secreted by basophilic cells in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. Its main function is to promote the development and maturation of ovarian follicles. The concentration of blood FSH is 1.5–10 mIU/ml in the pre-ovulatory phase, 8–20 mIU/ml during ovulation, and 2–10 mIU/ml in the post-ovulatory phase. The normal range is generally 5–40 mIU/ml. Low FSH levels are seen during estrogen-progestogen therapy, Sheehan's syndrome, etc. High FSH levels are associated with premature ovarian failure, ovarian hyporesponse syndrome, primary amenorrhea, etc. If FSH is higher than 40 mIU/ml, it indicates that ovulation-inducing drugs like clomiphene will be ineffective.
2) Luteinizing hormone (LH): Also a glycoprotein hormone secreted by basophilic cells in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. Its primary role is to induce ovulation, and in conjunction with FSH, it forms the corpus luteum and secretes progesterone. The concentration of blood LH is 2–15 mIU/ml in the pre-ovulatory phase, 30–100 mIU/ml during ovulation, and 4–10 mIU/ml in the post-ovulatory phase. The normal range during the non-ovulatory phase is typically 5–25 mIU/ml. A level below 5 mIU/ml suggests hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, as seen in Sheehan's syndrome. If high FSH is combined with high LH, ovarian failure is highly confirmed, and further tests are unnecessary. An LH/FSH ratio of ≥3 is one of the diagnostic criteria for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
3) Prolactin (PRL): Secreted by lactotrophs, a type of acidophilic cell in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, it is a pure protein hormone. Its main function is to promote breast hyperplasia, milk production, and lactation. In non-lactating women, the normal range of blood PRL is 0.08–0.92 nmol/L. A level above 1.0 nmol/L indicates hyperprolactinemia. Excessive prolactin can inhibit the secretion of FSH and LH, suppress ovarian function, and inhibit ovulation.
4) Estradiol (E2): Secreted by ovarian follicles, its main function is to promote the transformation of the endometrium into the proliferative phase and to facilitate the development of female secondary sexual characteristics. The concentration of blood E2 is 48–521 pmol/L in the pre-ovulatory phase, 70–1835 pmol/L during ovulation, and 272–793 pmol/L in the post-ovulatory phase. Low levels are seen in ovarian hypofunction, premature ovarian failure, and Sheehan's syndrome.
5) Progesterone (P): Secreted by the corpus luteum of the ovary, its main function is to promote the transformation of the endometrium from the proliferative phase to the secretory phase. The concentration of blood P is 0–4.8 nmol/L before ovulation and 7.6–97.6 nmol/L in the post-ovulatory phase. Low levels of blood P in the post-ovulatory phase are seen in luteal phase deficiency and ovulatory dysfunctional uterine bleeding.
6) Testosterone (T): In women, testosterone accounts for 50% of the peripheral conversion of androstenedione, 25% from the adrenal cortex, and only 25% from the ovaries. Its main function is to promote the development of the clitoris, labia, and mons pubis. It has an antagonistic effect on estrogen and influences overall metabolism. The normal range of blood T in women is 0.7–3.1 nmol/L. High levels of blood T, known as hyperandrogenemia, can lead to infertility. In polycystic ovary syndrome, blood T levels are also elevated. Other hormones may be measured if clinically necessary.