What to Expect from Functional Hormone Testing: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Danielle Bergman
- Sep 15
- 3 min read
Hormones are the body’s chemical messengers - and when they’re out of balance, they can impact everything from your energy and sleep to your mood, metabolism, cycle regularity, and ability to handle stress. Yet many women are told that their hormone symptoms are just part of getting older - or worse, “normal.” If you’ve been experiencing issues like fatigue, weight fluctuations, PMS, low libido, anxiety, or irregular cycles and have been told “your labs look fine,” you’re not alone.
At Solara Functional Wellness, we take a different approach. We look deeper - beyond surface symptoms and standard labs - to understand the root causes of imbalance and how your entire hormone system is working together.
What Is Hormone Testing in Functional Medicine?
Functional medicine isn’t about chasing symptoms. It’s about connecting the dots and identifying what’s driving your symptoms in the first place.
Hormone testing in our practice is used to uncover the full picture of what’s happening in your body so we can create a personalized plan to restore balance naturally.
Depending on your needs and symptoms, we may assess:
Sex hormones: estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA
Stress hormones: cortisol and cortisone throughout the day
Thyroid function: TSH, free T3, free T4, reverse T3, thyroid antibodies
Metabolic hormones: insulin, leptin, blood sugar markers
Other related factors: melatonin, pregnenolone, nutrient status
Because hormones are connected, we don’t isolate one - we examine how they all interact in your body.
Types of Hormone Tests Used
There’s no one-size-fits-all in functional medicine, and hormone testing is no exception. Based on your symptoms and goals, we may recommend one or more of the following:
Blood Testing: Often used to assess thyroid function, fasting insulin, glucose, and sex hormone levels. Best for capturing certain markers like SHBG, prolactin, and vitamin D. Collected in-office or via mobile phlebotomy.
Saliva Testing: Useful for measuring free, bioavailable cortisol at multiple points throughout the day (morning, afternoon, evening, bedtime). Helpful for tracking the body’s stress response.
Urine Testing: Our most comprehensive option. Advanced urine testing like the DUTCH Complete, allows us to evaluate sex hormones, cortisol patterns, hormone metabolites, melatonin, and markers of methylation. Ideal for uncovering how your body is producing and clearing hormones.
The Step-by-Step Testing Process at Solara Functional Wellness
We believe in keeping things simple, supportive, and personalized from day one.
Initial Consultation and Health History: We’ll dive deep into your current symptoms, cycle history, stress levels, lifestyle, and any past labs or diagnoses. This allows us to recommend the right test(s)—and avoid unnecessary ones.
Determining Which Tests Are Right for You: Whether it’s bloodwork, advanced urine testing, or a combination, we tailor your testing plan to your unique needs, not a template.
Sample Collection: Most tests are done from the comfort of your home with simple saliva or urine kits. If bloodwork is needed, we’ll help coordinate a draw at a local lab service or mobile service.
Lab Processing and Turnaround Time: Once your sample is submitted, results typically return within 2–3 weeks. During that time, we’ll stay in touch to prep you for next steps.
How Results Are Interpreted
This is where functional medicine truly stands apart. We don’t look at your results in isolation - we interpret them in context of your symptoms and health story. And we use functional ranges, which reflect optimal health, not just what’s "normal" for the average population.
We’re looking for:
Patterns of hormone dominance or deficiency
Cortisol rhythm disruptions
Poor hormone detox pathways
Thyroid markers that are “normal” but not optimal
The root cause beneath why your hormones feel off
You'll leave with clarity, not confusion.
What Happens After Testing?
Once your results are in, we’ll build a personalized plan designed to support your body’s natural hormone balance.
Your plan may include:
Nutrition and lifestyle strategies tailored to your test results
Professional-grade supplements to restore deficiencies or support hormone pathways
Mind-body support like nervous system regulation and adrenal care
Hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), if appropriate and desired
Ongoing tracking and follow-up to adjust your plan as needed
We don’t believe in quick fixes - we believe in empowering you to understand your body and thrive long term.
