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Start with the complete report
Hormone values change with the stage of the menstrual cycle and treatment. Send the complete laboratory report, including the collection date, result, units and laboratory reference range.
Tell the team which cycle day the sample was taken and whether you were using medication. The same isolated number cannot describe every stage of a cycle.
The reproductive hormone panel
| Test | Question discussed in the assessment |
|---|---|
| FSH — follicle-stimulating hormone | Ovarian function, reviewed with the timing and other findings |
| LH — luteinizing hormone | Ovulation-related changes and the wider hormonal picture |
| E2 — estradiol | The estrogen environment at the relevant stage of the cycle |
| P — progesterone | Changes before and after ovulation and the timing of assessment |
| T — testosterone | Androgen-related findings considered with symptoms and other examinations |
| PRL — prolactin | A separate hormone result considered within the clinical review |
These tests have different purposes. A reference range from another laboratory or cycle stage may not match the report being reviewed.
AMH and antral follicle count
AMH is a blood test used in ovarian reserve assessment. Antral follicle count (AFC) comes from ultrasound. They contribute different information and are reviewed with age, menstrual history and earlier response to treatment.
Ovarian reserve and egg quality are different questions. A low AMH value does not replace a full clinical assessment, and a higher value does not by itself describe embryo development or chromosome findings.
How to organize your records
- Keep the complete report with the laboratory name and collection date.
- Include the units and the printed reference range.
- Note the cycle day and medication being used at the time.
- Share earlier results as well if the physician is reviewing a change over time.
- Include the ultrasound report rather than only a handwritten follicle count.
Existing results and repeat examinations
The hospital reviews reports from other institutions. The team checks whether they are recent enough and complete for the proposed treatment, and identifies any examinations that need repeating.
Do not repeat every test simply because you are consulting a different hospital. Share the available records first and request the current checklist.
Questions for your doctor
Ask what each result contributes to the assessment, whether its timing affects interpretation, and which findings would change the proposed plan. If results appear inconsistent, send the complete reports so that the differences can be reviewed together.
What the different hormone names refer to
The six-hormone panel discussed in the hospital’s examination information includes hormones with different roles. A result should be reviewed in relation to the clinical question, the menstrual-cycle stage, medication and the laboratory’s reporting units.
Scroll across to view all columns.
| Report label | Role in the assessment | Useful context |
|---|---|---|
| FSH | Part of ovarian-function assessment. | The collection date, cycle stage and the other ovarian findings. |
| LH | Related to ovulation and the hormonal assessment. | The treatment stage; an LH-to-FSH ratio is not a diagnosis on its own. |
| Estradiol / E2 | Reviewed in relation to follicular and hormone findings. | Whether the sample is a baseline or a later monitoring result. |
| Progesterone / P | Related to ovulation and the luteal or treatment phase. | The cycle stage and any prescribed progesterone. |
| Testosterone / T | Part of the review of androgen-related findings. | Symptoms and the wider clinical history as well as the number. |
| Prolactin / PRL | A hormone considered within the endocrine assessment. | The collection circumstances and instructions from the clinician. |
Sending a report that can be reviewed
Send the complete report rather than a cropped number. Keep the test name, collection date, result, units and laboratory reference range visible. Include the medication instructions and ultrasound report when they belong to the same monitoring visit.
For the next steps, see medication and monitoring, ovarian reserve assessment and preparing for treatment.