Women & Hormones

Why You Should See a Hormone Doctor, Not Just Your OB/GYN, for Accurate Hormone Testing

Let’s talk about something that’s often overlooked: hormone testing.

You’re feeling off. Maybe it’s fatigue that no amount of sleep can fix. Maybe your moods are all over the place. Maybe your libido just up and disappeared, or your cycle is all wonky, or you’re gaining weight even though you’re eating healthy. So you go to your OB/GYN, tell them what’s going on, and they run a “basic hormone panel.”

But here’s the thing: most OB/GYNs aren’t trained in the nitty-gritty of comprehensive hormone testing—especially not the kind that gives you the answers you’re actually looking for.

Why the “Traditional Route” doesn’t work:

Traditional OB/GYNs usually check only a few hormones—like estrogen, progesterone, and maybe TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone). But hormones don’t work in isolation. They work in a complex, interconnected orchestra that includes:

   •   Free and total testosterone

   •   DHEA

   •   Cortisol (stress hormone)

   •   T3, T4, Reverse T3 (active thyroid hormones)

   •   Insulin, glucose, and HbA1C (metabolic markers)

   •   FSH, LH (for ovulation and cycle regularity)

If only two or three players are tested, how can anyone expect the full symphony to sound right?

Why a Hormone Doctor (Endocrinologist or Functional MD) Matters:

A hormone specialist doesn’t just look at your numbers—they understand them in context: your symptoms, your history, your lifestyle, your cycle (or lack thereof). They know the difference between being “in range” and being optimal.

They know how to time your tests—because hormone levels change a lot depending on the day of your cycle or the time of day.

If you’re using at-home hormone test kits, it’s super important to have someone on board who knows how to read and act on those results. Saliva, blood spot, or dried urine (DUTCH) testing all need special knowledge.

Functional & Integrative Hormone Testing: A Whole-Body Perspective:

Traditional care might say, “Your labs are normal,” but a hormone doctor might say, “Sure, but this cortisol pattern tells me your adrenals are in trouble,” or “Your estrogen is technically in range, but it’s taking over your progesterone—hello mood swings and insomnia.”

This level of detail can be a game-changer, especially if you’ve been told, “It’s just aging” or “It’s all in your head.”

The Bottom Line?

If you’re dealing with fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, depression, weight gain, PMS, low libido, irregular cycles, or peri/menopausal symptoms, don’t settle for a surface-level evaluation.

You deserve a deep dive.

Partner with a provider who treats your whole system—not just your reproductive parts. Find a hormone-literate practitioner who understands the full hormone matrix and how to use testing as a tool, not a checkbox.

You’re not crazy, and you’re not broken. Your body is speaking. You just need the right translator.

I am living proof that you can get yourself “in balance.” I will say that it isn’t cheap but I remind myself every time I do bloodwork, it is an investment that I cannot pass up!

If you have any questions or you need help finding a doctor, email me anytime!