Sports Hormone Profile

ALT is an enzyme found mainly in the liver. Raised levels can occur when liver cells are irritated or damaged, so ALT is commonly used as part of a liver-function assessment.

Albumin is a protein made by the liver that helps keep fluid within the bloodstream and transports hormones, vitamins and medicines. Abnormal levels can be associated with liver disease, kidney disease, inflammation or poor nutritional status.

ALP is an enzyme found particularly in the liver and bones. Abnormal levels can be associated with liver or bile-duct problems, altered bone activity and several other conditions.

AST is an enzyme found in the liver, heart and skeletal muscle. It can rise with liver injury or muscle damage and is usually interpreted with other liver and muscle markers.

GGT is an enzyme found mainly in the liver and bile ducts. It can increase with liver or biliary problems and may also be affected by alcohol and some medicines.

Globulins are a group of blood proteins involved in immune function and transport. Abnormal levels can be seen with inflammation, infection, immune disorders and some liver or kidney conditions.

Bilirubin is produced when red blood cells are broken down and is processed by the liver. Raised bilirubin can occur with liver or bile-duct problems or increased red-cell breakdown.

Total protein measures the combined amount of albumin and globulin in the blood. It provides an overview of major circulating proteins and can support assessment of liver, kidney, nutritional and immune health.

Free T4 measures the unbound form of thyroxine, one of the main hormones produced by the thyroid gland. It is interpreted with TSH to assess thyroid function.

TSH is produced by the pituitary gland and signals the thyroid to make thyroid hormones. It is one of the main markers used to assess whether the thyroid is underactive or overactive.

DHEA-S is an androgen-related hormone produced mainly by the adrenal glands. It acts as a precursor for other sex hormones and can help assess adrenal and androgen activity.

FSH is produced by the pituitary gland and plays a central role in ovarian follicle development and sperm production. Levels are used in fertility assessment and when investigating ovarian, testicular or menopausal function.

The free androgen index is a calculation based on total testosterone and SHBG. It provides an estimate of biologically available androgen activity and is often used when investigating androgen excess or deficiency.

Calculated free testosterone estimates the fraction of testosterone not tightly bound to proteins and therefore more readily available to tissues. It is calculated using total testosterone together with binding proteins such as SHBG and albumin.

LH is a pituitary hormone involved in ovulation in women and testosterone production in men. It is commonly assessed as part of fertility and reproductive-hormone testing.

Oestradiol is the main circulating oestrogen during the reproductive years. It is involved in the menstrual cycle, fertility, bone health and sexual function and is interpreted alongside other reproductive hormones.

Prolactin is produced by the pituitary gland and is best known for its role in breast-milk production. Abnormally high levels can affect periods, fertility, libido and testosterone production.

SHBG is a protein made mainly by the liver that binds sex hormones, including testosterone and oestradiol. Its level affects how much hormone is available to tissues and is useful when interpreting total testosterone.

Testosterone is an androgen hormone involved in sexual function, fertility, muscle mass, bone health and energy. Levels vary with age, sex and time of day and are interpreted alongside symptoms and other hormone results.