The balance of hormones in the female body changes periodically, so it is very important to check the blood for hormones when planning a pregnancy. After all, from the necessary level of hormones can depend on the possibility of conception, as well as the normal course of the gestation process.
In particular, attention should be paid to changes in the hormonal background to those women who had previously experienced menstrual disorders, unsuccessful pregnancies, or for a long time the couple can not conceive a child.
What hormones need to be checked when planning a pregnancy?
What hormones should I check when planning a pregnancy? How does this or that hormone affect the possibility of becoming pregnant?
To begin with, we list the hormones in the planning of pregnancy, the level recommended by specialists in gynecology and reproductive medicine.
- Estradiol.
- Progesterone.
- FSG.
- LG.
- Testosterone.
- Prolactin.
- Hormones of the thyroid gland.
- DHEA-S.
Women after 30 years of age during pregnancy planning may also be assigned AMG analysis.
List of hormones in pregnancy planning
Consider what kind of hormones they are, what they answer for, and why we need to know about their quantity.
Estradiol - the amount of this hormone in the female body is unstable and depends on the monthly phase. Estradiol is synthesized in adipose tissue, as well as in ovaries and follicles under the influence of other hormones - LH and FSH. Under the influence of estradiol, the uterine cavity is prepared for implantation, a natural growth of the endometrial layer occurs. Most often, the blood for estradiol is taken at 2-5 or on the 21-22 day of the cycle. The analysis is taken in the morning on an empty stomach, on the eve you can not eat fatty foods, take alcohol, smoke and engage in heavy physical labor.
Progesterone - this hormone is synthesized by the ovaries and in a smaller amount by the adrenal glands. In pregnant women, progesterone synthesizes the placenta. It helps implant the egg, activates the uterus during pregnancy, protects it from excessive contractile activity, which contributes to the preservation of the fetus in the uterus. The analysis for the hormone is taken during ovulation (approximately on day 14), and also after 22 days, depending on the duration of the monthly cycle. Venous blood for analysis is taken in the morning before meals.
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) - activates the development of follicles and the production of estrogens in the body. The normal level of this hormone contributes to ovulation. Blood for study is given for 2-5 or 20-21 days of the monthly cycle, on an empty stomach.
Luteinizing hormone (LH) - together with follicle-stimulating hormone takes part in the growth of follicles, ovulation, the formation of the yellow body of the ovaries. The peak amount of the hormone is observed during ovulation, while during pregnancy LH levels decrease. The analysis on LH is prescribed, as a rule, along with FSH, since one hormone without another is of little indication. It is much more important to determine the quality of the ratio of the two hormones. We will talk about the norms of hormonal parameters below.
Testosterone - is rightly considered a male sex hormone, although it is formed in a woman, in the ovaries and adrenal glands. A high level of hormone can disrupt the process of ovulation and provoke miscarriage in the early stages. The greatest amount of the hormone in the body is formed during the luteal phase and in the ovulatory period.
Prolactin is a hormone synthesized in the pituitary gland. It provides development of mammary glands in women, activates the production of breast milk. The amount of this hormone is closely related to the amount of estrogens and thyroid hormones. The analysis is taken in the morning before meals. The day before the analysis is not recommended to have sex and stimulate the mammary glands, and also not to be nervous, because because of this, the hormone levels can be high. Most often, prolactin is given on the 5th-8th day of the cycle.
Thyroid hormones - they must be given to all patients who turn to a doctor with violations of the monthly cycle, with miscarriage or unsuccessful attempts to become pregnant. First of all, we need the indices of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and, at the doctor's discretion, free T4 and T3. The hormone TTG takes part in stimulating the production of prolactin, the necessary hormone for pregnancy. Disorders in the functioning of the thyroid gland can adversely affect ovulation and the functioning of the yellow body.
DHEA-S - adrenal hormone, androgen, its name stands for dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. Thanks to this hormone, a pregnant woman starts producing estrogen by the placenta. Analysis for this hormone is often used to diagnose the pathology of the ovaries. Blood serum is taken on an empty stomach, for 24 hours alcoholic drinks and fatty foods are excluded, for an hour and a half before the study you can not smoke and exercise.
The level of anti-Muller hormone (AMG) is checked, mainly, in women who plan pregnancy after 30 years. As is known, female ovaries can not indefinitely produce follicles, and sooner or later their reserve runs low, a woman can not become pregnant herself. So the amount of AMG determines the ovarian reserve of the ovaries, that is, indicates how likely the maturation of the follicles and the onset of ovulation, and also indicates the possibility of early menopause.
The norm of hormones in the planning of pregnancy
Estradiol (E2):
- in the follicular phase - 12.5-166.0 pg / ml;
- in the ovulatory phase - 85.8-498.0 pg / ml;
- in the luteal phase - 43.8-211.0 pg / ml;
- the period of menopause - up to 54.7 pg / ml.
Progesterone:
- in the follicular phase - 0.2-1.5 ng / ml;
- in the ovulatory phase - 0.8-3.0 ng / ml;
- in the luteal phase - 1,7-27,0 ng / ml;
- the menopause period is 0.1-0.8 ng / ml.
Follicle-stimulating hormone:
- in the follicular phase - 3.5-12.5 mIU / ml;
- in the ovulatory phase - 4,7-21,5 mIU / ml;
- in the luteal phase - 1.7-7.7 mIU / ml;
- in the period of menopause - 25,8-134,8 mIU / ml.
Luteinizing hormone:
- in the follicular phase - 2.4-12.6 mIU / ml;
- in the ovulatory phase - 14,0-95,6 mIU / ml;
- in the luteal phase - 1.0-11.4 mIU / ml;
- in the period of menopause - 7,7-58,5 mIU / ml.
To determine the ratio of FSH / LH, the FSH index is required to be divided by the LH index. The resulting value must match:
- 12 months after puberty - from 1 to 1.5;
- 2 years after puberty and before the onset of menopause - from 1.5 to 2.
Testosterone:
- in the follicular phase - 0.45-3.17 pg / ml;
- in the luteal phase - 0.46-2.48 pg / ml;
- in the period of menopause - 0.29-1.73 pg / ml.
Prolactin:
- women before pregnancy - from 4 to 23 ng / ml;
- women in the period of pregnancy - from 34 to 386 ng / ml.
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (thyrotropin, thyroid hormone TSH) - 0.27-4.2 μIU / ml.
Thyroxine free (thyroid hormone FT4) is 0.93-1.7 ng / dl.
DHEA-S, normative indicators:
- in women from 18 to 30 years - 77.7-473.6 μg / dl;
- in women from 31 to 50 years - 55.5-425.5 mcg / dl;
- in women from 51 to 60 years - 18.5-329.3 mcg / dl.
Antimulylerov a hormone (AMG, MIS):
- in women of reproductive age - 1.0-2.5 ng / ml.
The reference values can be different in different laboratories, so the interpretation of the results and the diagnosis should be done only by your treating doctor.
Hormones before pregnancy planning: abnormalities
Exceeding the norm of estradiol may indicate:
- continuation of the existence of the unadulterated follicle;
- presence of endometrioid cysts of appendages;
- The presence of a tumor of appendages that is capable of secretion of hormones.
Decrease in the norm of estradiol:
- when smoking;
- at large physical exertion, unusual for the body;
- with increased production of prolactin;
- with insufficient luteal phase;
- at risk of spontaneous abortion of hormonal etiology.
Excess of the norm of progesterone may indicate:
- pregnancy;
- risk of uterine bleeding;
- violations of placenta formation;
- adrenal and kidney diseases;
- presence of cystic formation of the yellow body.
Decrease in progesterone:
- anovulatory cycle;
- disorders of the functionality of the yellow body;
- chronic inflammation in the appendages.
Violation of the ratio of FSH and LH may speak of insufficient pituitary function, of hypothyroidism, of amenorrhea syndrome or of renal insufficiency.
An increase in testosterone levels may be a sign:
- strengthening the function of the adrenal glands;
- tumors of appendages;
- hereditary predisposition.
Low testosterone values can talk about the following situations:
- presence of endometriosis;
- increased estrogen content;
- development of uterine fibroids or breast tumors;
- osteoporosis.
Elevated levels of prolactin can be observed in such pathologies:
- a pituitary tumor;
- decreased thyroid function (hypothyroidism);
- polycystic adnexa;
- anorexia;
- liver and kidney disease.
A low level of prolactin deserves attention only in cases when its indicators decrease against the background of other hormones (for example, thyroid hormones). This may indicate a disease of the pituitary system.
A thyroid-stimulating hormone can be increased:
- with renal insufficiency;
- with tumors;
- with some diseases of the psyche.
A decrease in thyrotropin may indicate:
- violation of the thyroid gland;
- trauma to the pituitary gland.
An increased amount of thyroxin indicates the presence of hyperthyroidism, and a decreased amount of hypothyroidism.
An increased amount of DHEA-S indicates a phenomenon of increased production of androgens due to disruption of the adrenal glands: this can lead to the inability to tolerate pregnancy.
The lowered antimulylerovogo hormone indicates:
- about the onset of menopause;
- a reduced ovarian reserve;
- o exhaustion of the ovaries;
- about obesity.
An increased amount of AMG can be observed:
- with anovulatory infertility;
- in polycystic ovaries;
- with tumors of appendages;
- at violations of LH receptors.
Women who plan a healthy pregnancy, to conduct a blood test can be already 3-6 months before the alleged attempted conception.
Appointment and evaluation of tests for hormones can only be a qualified doctor gynecologist or reproductologist. To hand over hormones at planning of pregnancy it is possible practically in all modern clinics and laboratories.