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Testing & Lab Work Checklist

Track which tests to request, when to schedule them, and document your results all in one place

1

Personal Information

2

Hormone Panel

⏰ Timing Matters
Most hormone tests should be done on Day 2-5 of your cycle (Day 1 = first day of period) for accurate baseline results. FSH, LH, and estradiol are particularly time-sensitive.
Reproductive Hormones

Tests ovarian reserve and menopause status. Best tested Day 2-5.

Important for PCOS diagnosis and ovulation assessment.

Primary estrogen marker. Varies throughout cycle.

Best tested Day 21 (or 7 days post-ovulation) to confirm ovulation.

Ovarian reserve marker. Can be tested any day of cycle.

Androgen Panel (for PCOS, hair loss, acne)

Overall testosterone level.

Bioavailable testosterone. Often more sensitive for PCOS.

Adrenal androgen. Elevated in some PCOS cases.

Low SHBG can indicate insulin resistance or PCOS.

3

Thyroid Panel

💡 Request the Full Panel
TSH alone is not enough! Many thyroid issues are missed when only TSH is tested. Request the full panel below.

Primary screening test. Optimal range: 0.5-2.5 mIU/L (some sources say up to 4.0).

Main hormone produced by thyroid.

Active thyroid hormone. Important for symptoms assessment.

Tests for Hashimoto's thyroiditis (autoimmune).

Additional autoimmune marker.

4

Metabolic Panel

🍽️ Fasting Required
Most metabolic tests require 8-12 hours of fasting. Water is usually okay. Schedule morning appointments for accuracy.

Blood sugar levels. Normal: under 100 mg/dL.

Critical for detecting insulin resistance. Often not ordered unless requested!

3-month average blood sugar. Prediabetes: 5.7-6.4%.

Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides.

5

Nutritional & Vitamin Status

Optimal: 40-60 ng/mL. Deficiency is very common.

Important for energy and nervous system. Optimal: over 500 pg/mL.

Optimal: 50-150 ng/mL. Low ferritin causes fatigue even with "normal" iron.

Complete picture of iron status.

Important for fertility and cell function.

6

Additional Tests

Add any other tests your provider recommends or that you want to track.

7

Questions for Your Doctor

Self-Advocacy Tips for Lab Work
  • Always request a copy of your actual results, not just "everything is normal"
  • "Normal" range doesn't always mean "optimal" - ask about optimal ranges
  • If a test comes back borderline, ask about retesting or investigating further
  • Keep your own records - labs can get lost or misfiled
  • Ask about timing: when in your cycle, fasting requirements, time of day
  • If denied a test, ask: "Please document in my chart that I requested this test and it was declined"