Let’s explore “Hormones: questions before a protocol”

Female cycle-phase detail is on the next section. LC-MS/MS is preferred at low concentrations.

Female phase detail is on the next section. Exogenous progesterone route/timing matters.

Ask your clinician to read this result with testosterone or estradiol, FSH, cycle phase, and pituitary context.

Ask your clinician to read this result with age, ovarian status, testosterone/estradiol, and pituitary context.

Stress, sleep, nipple stimulation, medications, pregnancy, and macroprolactin matter.

M 18-30: 105-728; F 18-30: 83-377. Values decline substantially with age.

Assay-specific and age-dependent.

Female follicular <80; luteal <285; postmeno <51. Morning timing and stimulation testing may be needed.

Methods and units vary. Ask why DHT was measured and whether a target is relevant to your health question.

Assay-specific, especially at low concentrations.

No broadly accepted wellness target. Ask your clinician to use exact assay and clinical indication.

No single normal cutoff fits every patient. Ask your clinician to use age, baseline, trend, prostate size, risk factors, and shared decision-making.