Clinical significance of the 6 sex hormone tests 1. Prolactin (PRL): secreted by the lactotropic cells of one of the anterior pituitary eosinophils, it is a simple protein hormone whose main function is to promote the proliferation of mammary glands, milk production and lactation. In the non-lactating period, the normal value of blood PRL is 0.08-0.92 nmol/L. Higher than 1.0 nmol/L is considered hyperprolactinemia, which can inhibit the secretion of FSH and LH, suppress ovarian function, and inhibit ovulation. High PRL levels are generally associated with overflow and amenorrhea, and menstruation can return to normal after a decrease in PRL with pharmacological treatment. [Requirement] Normally, fasting venous blood is collected in the morning or in the morning when the patient is quiet. 2, Folliculogenic hormone (FSH): It is a glycoprotein hormone secreted by basophilic cells in the anterior pituitary gland, and its main function is to promote follicle development and maturation in the ovary. The concentration of FSH ranges from 1.5 to 10 mIU/ml in the preovulatory period, 8 to 20 mIU/ml in the ovulatory period and 2 to 10 mIU/ml in the post-ovulatory period. 5 to 40 mIU/ml is the normal value. low FSH value is seen during estrogen and progestogen therapy and in the Silhan’s syndrome, etc. high FSH is seen in premature ovarian failure, ovarian insensitivity syndrome and primary amenorrhea, etc. FSH higher than 40mIU/ml is ineffective for ovulatory drugs such as clomiphene. Luteinizing hormone (LH): It is also a glycoprotein hormone secreted by basophilic cells in the anterior pituitary gland, which mainly promotes ovulation, forms the corpus luteum and secretes progesterone under the synergistic effect of FSH. The concentration of blood LH is 2~15mIU/ml in the preovulatory period, 30~100mIU/ml in the ovulatory period and 4~10mIU/ml in the late ovulatory period. LH/FSH ≥3 is one of the bases for the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome. 4. Estradiol (E2): secreted by the follicles of the ovaries, its main function is to promote the transformation of the endometrium into a proliferative phase and to promote the development of secondary female sexual characteristics. The concentration of blood E2 ranges from 48 to 521 picomoles/liter in the preovulatory period, 70 to 1835 picomoles/liter in the ovulatory period, and 272 to 793 picomoles/liter in the post-ovulatory period. Low values are seen in low ovarian function, premature ovarian failure, and Silhan’s syndrome. Estradiol (E2). Increased values are seen in: female precocious puberty, tumors of the ovaries and adrenal glands that secrete estradiol and other estrogens, gynecomastia, hepatic steatosis, after clomiphene and HCG application. Decrease: Turner syndrome, primary or secondary hypogonadism, etc. 5. Testosterone (T): Testosterone in women, 50% is converted from peripheral androstenedione, about 25% is secreted by the adrenal cortex, and only 25% comes from the ovaries. The main function is to promote the development of the clitoris, labia and mons pubis. It has an antagonistic effect on estrogen and has some effects on systemic metabolism. The normal blood T concentration in women is 0.7-3.1 nmol/L. A high blood T value is called hypertestosteronemia, which can cause infertility. In polycystic ovary syndrome, the blood T value is also increased. Increases are seen in: idiopathic male precocious puberty, familial male precocious puberty, adrenocortical hyperplasia, adrenocortical tumors (adenocarcinoma is significantly higher and adenoma is often higher), testicular tumors, testicular feminization, polycystic ovary syndrome, ovarian androgenic tumors, pineal tumors, idiopathic hirsutism, hypothyroidism, androgen, HCG and estrogen therapy, etc. Decreased in: trisomy 21, uremia, myotonic dystrophy, hepatic insufficiency, trapped testes, primary or secondary hypogonadism (Klinefelter’s syndrome, Kallman’s syndrome, etc.), after discontinuation of androgen therapy, etc. 6. Progesterone (P): secreted by the corpus luteum of the ovary, its main function is to promote the transformation of the endometrium from the proliferative phase to the secretory phase. The blood P concentration ranges from 0 to 4.8 nmol/L before ovulation and 7.6 to 97.6 nmol/L in late ovulation. Low values of blood P in late ovulation are seen in luteal insufficiency, ovulatory dysfunctional uterine bleeding, etc. Examination time and precautions Sex hormone levels are measured to understand female endocrine function and to diagnose diseases related to endocrine disorders. The six commonly used sex hormone tests, namely folliculogenic hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), testosterone (T), and prolactin (PRL), basically meet the needs of clinicians to screen for endocrine disorders and gain a general understanding of physiological functions. The best time to check endocrine secretion is on the 3rd-5th day after menstruation, which is the early follicular period and can reflect the functional status of the ovaries. However, for those who are not menstruating for a long period of time and are eager to know the results of the test, the test can be done at any time, which is by default the time before menstruation, and the results will be based on the results of the luteal phase test.