Last updated on 29 December 2025 by Brisbane Livewell Clinic Editorial Team
How to Get Hormone Levels Checked in Australia – Estrogen, Cortisol and More
If you’re experiencing fatigue, mood changes, weight fluctuations, or irregular cycles, your hormones might be out of balance. Getting your hormone levels checked in Australia is straightforward when you know where to start—and choosing the right type of test can give you clarity about what’s going on in your body. At Brisbane Livewell Clinic, our Naturopaths help you test your hormone levels using saliva, urine or blood, then interpret the results as part of a broader Wellness Plan to support hormonal balance and better daily function.
Key Takeaways
Hormone testing can be done using blood, saliva or dried urine depending on your symptoms.
Tests are available privately without a referral and can be ordered through Brisbane Livewell Clinic.
We assess hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, DHEA and thyroid markers.
Saliva and urine tests are ideal for mapping daily hormone rhythms and identifying functional issues.
Hormone testing can explain fatigue, anxiety, PMS, weight gain, low libido and cycle irregularities.
Introduction
Hormonal imbalances don’t always show up on standard blood tests—and many people are told “everything looks normal” despite feeling tired, moody, wired or off-track. That’s because conventional panels often only test a narrow snapshot of hormones, without capturing fluctuations or interactions between them.
Functional hormone testing looks deeper. At Brisbane Livewell Clinic, we use more comprehensive hormone assessments to help identify what’s really going on—and then guide you through a plan to rebalance your system naturally.
Signs You Might Need Hormone Testing
Some of the most common symptoms linked to hormone imbalance include:
- Irregular or painful menstrual cycles
- Fatigue that doesn’t improve with sleep
- Anxiety, irritability or mood swings
- PMS, PMDD or perimenopause symptoms
- Low libido or sexual dysfunction
- Insomnia or difficulty staying asleep
- Weight gain around the middle
- Skin breakouts or hair thinning
- Feeling overwhelmed or burnt out
- Difficulty building muscle or recovering from training
Hormones are chemical messengers. When they’re off balance, they affect nearly every part of your body—from your gut and brain to your energy and mood.
Types of Hormone Tests Available in Australia
There are three main ways to test your hormones:
1. Blood Testing
- Typically ordered by a GP or Naturopath
- Measures total hormone levels at a single point in time
- Common for testing oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone, LH, FSH, TSH, prolactin and vitamin D
- Best for structural markers or confirming major imbalances
- May be covered under Medicare with GP referral, or ordered privately
2. Salivary Hormone Testing
- Measures free (active) hormone levels at multiple points in the day
- Commonly used for cortisol, DHEA, oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone
- Ideal for mapping adrenal rhythm, identifying oestrogen dominance or progesterone deficiency
- Non-invasive and done at home
- Highly useful for perimenopause, stress and PMS cases
3. DUTCH Test (Dried Urine Testing)
- Comprehensive hormone panel analysing hormone metabolites
- Measures cortisol, melatonin, sex hormones and their pathways
- Offers insight into methylation, detoxification and hormone conversion
- Ideal for complex cases or when blood/saliva results are inconclusive
- Done at home and sent to a functional pathology lab
Brisbane Livewell Clinic offers all three types of testing and can help you choose the best option based on your history and symptoms.
Key Hormones We Commonly Test
For Women:Oestrogen (E1, E2, E3)
Supports mood, bones and cycle regularityProgesterone
Calms the nervous system, supports fertility and balances oestrogenTestosterone
Influences libido, muscle tone and motivationDHEA
Adrenal hormone precursor to oestrogen and testosteroneCortisol
Stress hormone that affects energy, mood and metabolismFSH and LH
Regulate ovulation and hormone production Thyroid (TSH, T3, T4, rT3) Affects energy, weight, mood and hair For Men:Testosterone (total and free)
Essential for energy, libido, muscle mass and mental clarityOestrogen
In excess can affect mood, weight and prostate healthDHEA
Adrenal health and hormone precursorCortisol
Chronic stress can suppress testosterone and libidoThyroid hormones
Critical for metabolism and motivation These tests provide a clear map of what’s working—and what needs support.
When Is the Best Time to Test?
Hormones fluctuate across the day and month, so timing is important:
For cycling women:
Test around day 19–21 of your cycle to capture peak progesterone
For postmenopausal women or men:
Testing can be done anytime
For cortisol:
Multiple samples across the day show your adrenal rhythm
For DUTCH testing:
Urine is collected over 24 hours to capture full hormone picture
Your Brisbane Livewell Clinic Naturopath will give you exact instructions based on your situation.
How We Use Hormone Test Results
Once we have your results, we create a targeted Wellness Plan which may include:
- Herbal medicine to balance oestrogen, progesterone or testosterone
- Nutrients such as zinc, magnesium, B6, vitamin C or adaptogens
- Dietary changes to support hormone metabolism
- Stress management techniques
- Sleep and circadian rhythm support
- Detoxification or gut microbiome support
- Collaboration with GPs or specialists where needed
We don’t just treat numbers—we treat the patterns, symptoms and the person as a whole.
Can Hormone Testing Help If I’m Already on Medication?
Yes. Many of our patients are on the pill, HRT or thyroid medication. Testing can still be valuable to track how these interventions are affecting your body—or where additional support is needed.
We also help patients come off hormonal medication safely, where appropriate, using nutrition and herbs to minimise side effects.
Conclusion
If you’re struggling with symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, poor sleep or irregular cycles, hormone testing can provide the missing information you need to move forward. At Brisbane Livewell Clinic, we make it simple to test, understand your results, and take real steps toward balance. Whether you’re in your 20s or 50s, testing your hormones can help you feel more in control of your health, your energy and your life.
FAQs
1. How do I get my hormone levels checked in Australia
You can test hormones through blood, saliva or urine. Brisbane Livewell Clinic offers all options privately, with or without a referral.
2. What symptoms indicate I should test my hormones?
Fatigue, anxiety, PMS, weight gain and sleep issues often point to hormone imbalance. Testing helps confirm which hormones are involved.
3. Is hormone testing covered by Medicare?
Basic blood tests ordered by a GP may be partly covered. Saliva and DUTCH tests are privately billed.
4. Can I test hormones at home?
Yes, saliva and urine hormone tests are completed at home. We provide kits and full instructions through the Clinic.
5. What hormones should I test for mood swings and anxiety?
Cortisol, oestrogen, progesterone and thyroid hormones affect mood. Your Naturopath will help select the right tests.
6. Do I need to be on my period to test hormones?
For cycling women, testing is usually done in the luteal phase (days 19–21). We’ll guide you on timing.
7. Can men benefit from hormone testing too?
Yes, men benefit from testing testosterone, DHEA, cortisol and thyroid hormones. These affect energy, mood and muscle mass.
8. Is hormone testing accurate?
Yes, we use high-quality labs and interpret results in context. Saliva and urine tests are clinically validated.
9. Can I still test hormones if I’m on the pill or HRT?
Yes, though results are interpreted differently. We help you understand how your treatment is affecting your body.
10. What’s the difference between blood and saliva hormone tests?
Blood shows total hormone levels at a single time. Saliva shows free, active hormones across the day.
11. How do I book hormone testing?
Book a consultation at Brisbane Livewell Clinic. We’ll recommend the right test and help you get started.
