If you don’t have the option of working with a knowledgeable doctor to order tests and help you understand the results, a good alternative is to order tests directly yourself, from one of the companies below.   The highest priority tests are:

• Thyroid hormones and antibodies
• Vitamin D
• DHEA-S
• AMH

Self- Testing Options: United States 

There are two main ways to self-order lab tests in the U.S. — the first is to place the order with an online service that gives you a requisition form to take to a local blood draw facility (such as Quest or Labcorp).  Companies that offer this type of testing include Life Extension and Ulta Lab Tests.

The second is home-based testing services, such as Everlywell, which can be a little more expensive, but often more convenient because you send in a finger-prick blood sample you collect at home.

Everlywell Recommended Tests

• Vitamin D  $79
• Women’s Fertility Test (estradiol, FSH, TSH, LH, testosterone) $159
• Thyroid Test (TSH, TPO antibodies, FT3, FT4) $159

Life Extension Recommended Tests (take order to Quest or Labcorp)

• DHEA-S Test
• Vitamin D Test $35
• Thyroid Antibody Blood Panel Test $74
• Thyroid Panel (TSH, T4, Free T4, Free T3) $56
• OR:
• Weight Loss Basic Panel $98 (CBC, DHEA-S, free & total testosterone, progesterone, estrogen, TSH, free T3, insulin, HbA1C)

Self- Testing Options: United Kingdom

In the U.K, the best option is MediChecks, which offers over 80 different blood tests, using finger-prick samples you can collect yourself at home.  They have just launched a range of new fertility tests, with panels covering AMH, thyroid health, and vitamin D.

Recommended tests:

• Future Fertility Blood Test (AMH, FSH, Estrogen)
• DHEA Sulphate
• Preparing for Pregnancy Blood Test (FSH, TSH, Vitamin D)
• OR:  Thyroid Check Ultra Vite (Thyroid antibodies, TSH, FT3, FT4, Vit D, Ferritin, B12, Folate, CRP).

Medichecks is offering 20% off their fertility tests until 8th May, 2020, with code FERTILITY20

Normal Ranges for Lab Values

 DHEA-S:

• Age 18-29 years 44-332 µg/dL (1.19-9.00 µmol/L)
• Age 30-39 years 31-228 µg/dL (0.84-6.78 µmol/L)
• Age 40-49 years 18-244 µg/dL (0.49-6.61 µmol/L)

Testosterone:

• Testosterone (bioavailable): 0.8-10.0 ng/dL (0.03-0.35 nmol/L)
• Testosterone (free): 0.3-1.9 ng/dL (0.01-0.07 nmol/L)
• Testosterone (total): 8-60 ng/dL (0.3-2.1nmol/L)

Vitamin D:

• Deficient:          below 20 ng/ml (50 nmol/l)
• Insufficient:     20 –30 ng/ml (50–75 nmol/l)
• Sufficient:         at least 30 ngl/ml (75 nmol/l)
• Optimal:            at least 40 ng/mL (100 nmol/L).

TSH: 

• Hyperthyroid: below 0.5 mIU/L
• Optimal for fertility & miscarriage prevention:  ~ 1 mIU/L
• Normal: 1- 2.5 mIU/L
• Subclinical hypothyroid: 2.5-4.5 mIU/L
• Hypothyroid: >4.5 mIU/L