Key takeaways: The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of our throats Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is made in the pituitary gland in our brains and tells our thyroid gland what to do The thyroid releases important hormones like thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which have important roles in our metabolism, growth and (of course) our menstrual cycles These hormones can get out of balance and when we…
Author: Hertility
17 Posts
Can I test my hormones and fertility if I’m using contraception?
Read moreKey takeaways: There are 17 different types of contraception including hormonal and non-hormonal options. Hormonal contraception works by altering your natural hormone levels to either prevent ovulation and/or bring about bodily changes that discourage pregnancy. Non-hormonal contraception doesn’t alter your hormone levels and prevents pregnancy using a different set of methods. If you’re using hormonal, or non-hormonal contraception, you can still take a Hertility Hormone and Fertility test, but your…
Prolactin 101: Everything you need to know about prolactin
Read moreKey takeaways Prolactin is an important hormone that has roles all around the body and within the reproductive system Prolactin has a well-established role within breast growth and breast milk production during and after pregnancy Prolactin imbalances can interfere with our menstrual cycles and ovulation, impacting our fertility and chances of conceiving Testing our prolactin regularly with a hormone and fertility test can help us get to the bottom of…
Research News: Real-World Outcomes of Egg Freezing
Read moreOne of the big questions our doctors get asked by women in their 40s is: ‘is it worth me freezing my eggs?’ Egg freezing is a big decision both emotionally and financially, but the snag to date has been that there really isn’t enough data to answer this question confidently. So, in true Hertility fashion, where evidence doesn’t exist, we make it our mission to change that. This month, two…
What is AMH and what can AMH testing tell me?
Read moreKey takeaways Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) is a hormone produced by the follicles in our ovaries. It is produced by the follicles that house our eggs, so testing our AMH levels can help to determine the number of eggs we have left—our ovarian reserve. Along with our ovarian reserve, our AMH levels naturally decline with age after our mid 20s. High AMH levels and low AMH levels can both impact our…
My sample came back as haemolysed, what now?
Read moreKey takeaways With any type of blood collection, haemolysed samples can happen This is when the red blood cells burst or break down, meaning your sample is damaged and can not be analysed We will always contact you to let you know if your sample comes back haemolysed, and will offer a second kit free of charge to redo your test Check out our tips on how to take your…
Oestrogen 101: Everything you need to know about Oestrogen
Read moreKey takeaways There are lots of different types of oestrogen, but the main one in women and those assigned-female-at-birth is oestradiol (E2) E2 plays a big role in regulating our menstrual cycles, fertility, libido, skin health, heart health and bone density Our oestrogen levels fluctuate throughout our menstrual cycles and also naturally decline with age Imbalances in oestrogen levels are common and can be due to various underlying health conditions,…
Ice, Ice, Baby: What is egg freezing and is it right for me?
Read moreKey takeaways As people with ovaries, we’re born with all of the eggs we’ll ever have, but our egg quality and quantity decline with age. Egg freezing is what’s known as a ‘fertility preservation method’, which involves removing healthy eggs from our ovaries and freezing them for future use. Many people might benefit from egg freezing, like those with medical conditions that affect their ovarian reserve, or those of us…
What Do Your SHBG Levels Mean?
Read moreSex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is an important protein produced primarily by the liver but also in smaller quantities by the brain, uterus, placenta, breast and ovaries. Its role is to bind to your sex hormones including testosterone and oestradiol, and transports them around the body, but what can it mean if your levels are high or low? We’ve broken down all you need to know about SHBG levels. Why do…
Metformin and PCOS: A treatment right for you?
Read morePolycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) affects around 1 in 10 people with ovaries (1). Despite being named as an “ovarian” syndrome, PCOS has both reproductive and metabolic characteristics. Your metabolism describes the chemical processes that take place to keep you alive and your organs functioning normally, such as breathing, repairing cells and digesting food. Many PCOS sufferers are prescribed a drug called metformin to help treat symptoms of the condition. Metformin…