Concierge endocrinology · London
Hormonal blood tests, thyroid, adrenal, pituitary, reproductive and metabolic hormone panels.
A menu of blood tests measuring thyroid (TSH, fT4, fT3), adrenal (cortisol, ACTH), pituitary (prolactin, IGF-1), reproductive (FSH, LH, oestradiol, testosterone, AMH) and metabolic (insulin, HbA1c) hormones. Interpreted by an endocrinologist alongside history and imaging.
- Menu of endocrine hormone blood tests
- Timing matters — 9am cortisol, day-2 FSH/LH
- Cyclic and dynamic tests may be needed
- Consultant endocrinologist interpretation
- Complements pituitary and adrenal imaging
- Basis for HRT / testosterone / thyroid decisions
Why patients choose us
- 01
The right hands
We route you to a consultant endocrinologist — with hormone assays, who orders them and who reads them decides the answer.
- 02
Timing done properly
Cortisol at 9am, day-2 FSH/LH, fasting insulin — the sample time is half the test, and we book it right.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What a private hormonal blood test costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
A single hormone panel in our network: £120–£450, with a consultant reading within 48–72 hours.
| Panel type | Indicative range | Typical duration | Report turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thyroid panel (TSH, fT4, fT3, antibodies) | £120–£220 | 15 min | 24–48h |
| Adrenal panel (9am cortisol, ACTH, DHEAS) | £180–£320 | 15 min | 48–72h |
| Pituitary panel (prolactin, IGF-1, TSH, LH, FSH) | £220–£420 | 20 min | 48–72h |
| Female reproductive panel (FSH, LH, oestradiol, AMH) | £220–£450 | 20 min | 3–5 days |
| Male hormone panel (total & free testosterone, SHBG) | £200–£380 | 20 min | 48–72h |
| Metabolic panel (fasting insulin, HbA1c, lipids) | £160–£300 | 15 min | 48h |
Prices vary by clinic, the number of hormones on the panel, and whether a consultant endocrinology review is included. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
A hormone panel is only as good as the person reading it.
Hormone values sit in wide reference ranges and shift with time of day, cycle stage and medication. The numbers are the answer — and the endocrinologist interpreting them decides what they mean and what to do next.
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Thyroid symptoms — but "normal" bloods?
Fatigue, weight change, cold intolerance — we run the full panel, not just TSH, and read it properly.
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Low testosterone or perimenopause?
A single value is not a diagnosis. We time it, repeat it, and put it in context.
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Fertility or ovarian reserve question?
FSH, LH, oestradiol and AMH — cycle-timed, and reported alongside ultrasound.
The journey
From consultation to plan — what happens, in order.
One endocrinologist from first consultation to plan — with the sample timed properly.
Phase 1 · Before your draw
Consultation and preparation
Phase 2 · On the day
~15 minutes at the clinic
Phase 3 · After
Consultant reading and plan
- 01
Before
Endocrinology consultation
A consultant endocrinologist reviews your symptoms, history and any prior bloods before ordering anything.
- 02
Before
Timed blood draw
Morning cortisol at 9am, day-2 FSH/LH for cycling women — the sample time is set by the hormone, not by convenience.
- 03
On the day
Fasting for insulin and metabolic panel
Fasting from midnight for insulin, HbA1c and lipids — water is fine, medications as advised.
- 04
On the day
Withhold biotin 3 days
High-dose biotin (in hair and nail supplements) interferes with immunoassays. Stop it 72 hours before the draw.
- 05
On the day
Serum sample sent to accredited lab
UKAS-accredited endocrine reference lab, with clear reference ranges and turnaround times.
- 06
After
Consultant interpretation
Your endocrinologist reads the panel alongside history and any imaging — not a traffic-light PDF.
- 07
After
Structured plan
A written plan: replacement, medication, dynamic testing, imaging, or reassurance — and who does what next.
Typical end-to-end: 5–10 days. Urgent cases: same week.
What it shows
When a hormonal blood test is the right test.
Hormone panels answer specific endocrine questions — from thyroid function to pituitary tumours to ovarian reserve. These are the presentations we see most.
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Hypothyroidism / hyperthyroidism
TSH, fT4 and fT3 confirm under- or over-active thyroid and guide replacement or antithyroid therapy.
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Cushing’s syndrome (raised cortisol)
Elevated morning cortisol with loss of diurnal variation — dynamic testing usually follows.
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Addison’s disease (low cortisol)
Low 9am cortisol with raised ACTH — a synacthen test typically confirms adrenal insufficiency.
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Prolactinoma (raised prolactin)
Persistently elevated prolactin, especially with galactorrhoea or amenorrhoea, points to a pituitary adenoma.
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Acromegaly (raised IGF-1)
Elevated IGF-1 with clinical features — an oral glucose tolerance test with GH follows.
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Male hypogonadism (low testosterone)
Two morning total testosterone values below reference, with LH and SHBG, define hypogonadism.
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Female PCOS / ovarian reserve
Raised LH:FSH ratio, androgens, or a low AMH — interpreted alongside cycle history and ultrasound.
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Red flag: markedly elevated prolactin — pituitary MRI pathway
Prolactin above 5000 mIU/L, or with visual symptoms, needs urgent pituitary MRI — not a repeat blood test.
Panel types
Not all hormone panels are the same.
What each option on your referral is actually for.
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Thyroid panel
TSH, free T4, free T3 and thyroid antibodies (TPO, TRAb) — the standard first-line thyroid work-up.
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Adrenal panel
Morning cortisol, ACTH and DHEAS — screens for Cushing’s, Addison’s and adrenal androgen excess.
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Pituitary panel
Prolactin, IGF-1, TSH, LH, FSH and morning cortisol — a rounded pituitary screen.
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Female reproductive panel
FSH, LH, oestradiol, progesterone and AMH — cycle-timed for accuracy in fertility and menopause work-up.
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Male hormone panel
Total and free testosterone, SHBG, LH, FSH and prolactin — the proper testosterone work-up, not a single value.
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Metabolic panel
Fasting insulin, HbA1c, lipid profile and glucose — insulin resistance, prediabetes and metabolic syndrome.
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Dynamic function precursor
Baseline bloods before synacthen, OGTT-with-GH or dexamethasone suppression — the tests these panels lead into.
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Urgent same-week panel
Expedited draw and reporting when symptoms or a referral demand a rapid answer.
Next steps
What happens after the panel comes back.
The blood test is a decision-making tool. Depending on what it shows, the endocrinologist chooses from a short list of onward steps.
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Hormone replacement
Thyroxine, HRT or testosterone replacement — titrated to symptoms and repeat bloods.
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Antithyroid drugs
Carbimazole or propylthiouracil for hyperthyroidism, alongside beta-blockade if needed.
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Cabergoline for prolactinoma
Dopamine agonist therapy — the first-line treatment for prolactin-secreting adenomas.
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Pituitary surgery / radiotherapy
Transsphenoidal resection or stereotactic radiotherapy for macroadenomas or drug-resistant tumours.
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Adrenal replacement (hydrocortisone)
Physiological hydrocortisone replacement in Addison’s, with sick-day rules and an emergency kit.
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Metformin / GLP-1 agonists
For insulin resistance, prediabetes or PCOS — alongside lifestyle change.
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Structured endocrinology follow-up
Timed repeat bloods, symptom review and dose adjustment — not a one-off test.
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Fertility MDT for reproductive issues
Referral into a fertility multidisciplinary team when the panel points to ovarian or testicular causes.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of clinics, we picked them.
Endocrinology partners across central, north, west and south London. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every clinic in our network.
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Consultant endocrinologists — not GPs with an interest
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UKAS-accredited reference laboratory with published assay methods
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Timed draws (9am cortisol, day-2 FSH/LH) built into the booking
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Onward pathway to pituitary MRI, adrenal imaging or fertility MDT when indicated
Safety and eligibility
One of the lowest-risk tests in medicine — with a few real caveats.
A venous blood draw is exceptionally safe. The practical points are timing, medication effects, and when the endocrine picture is an emergency rather than a private appointment.
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Painless, low-risk
A single venous blood draw. Momentary discomfort, occasional small bruise — that is the whole risk profile.
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Timing is half the test
Cortisol at 9am, prolactin rested, day-2 FSH/LH — a badly-timed sample is a wasted one.
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Fasting for insulin panel
Nothing but water for eight hours before insulin, HbA1c and lipids. Take usual medications unless told otherwise.
-
Withhold biotin for 72 hours
High-dose biotin (hair and nail supplements) causes false thyroid, cortisol and troponin results. Stop three days before.
-
Adrenal crisis is an emergency
Sudden collapse, vomiting or shock in a known Addison’s patient — 999, not a private appointment.
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Cyclic testing for women
Reproductive hormones move across the cycle — a single value out of context can mislead.
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A normal panel is not a full clear
Static bloods miss episodic secretion (Cushing’s, phaeochromocytoma) — dynamic testing may still be needed.
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Imaging sometimes follows
Pituitary MRI, adrenal CT or reproductive ultrasound — the blood test points to it, but does not replace it.
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Bring prior results and medication list
Steroids, HRT, thyroxine, oral contraceptives and opiates all shift hormone results. We need to know.
Endocrine red flags
Symptoms and results that need urgent, not routine, attention.
- Adrenal crisis
- Thyroid storm
- Myxoedema coma
- Pituitary apoplexy
- Acromegaly with cardiac disease
- Cushing’s with severe hypertension
- Testosterone abuse
- Prolactin > 5000 mIU/L
- Ectopic hormone secretion (paraneoplastic)
Reading your report
A hormone report can look intimidating. It isn’t.
Whatever the finding, the report keeps to the same four parts.
A quiet reminder
The report is written for your doctor, not for you — and that’s normal.
If you would like us to talk you through it before your follow-up, just ask.
- 01 Header
Indication and clinical context
Your details, the presenting question, and the medications or hormone therapy that shape interpretation.
- 02 Technique
Assays and sample timing
Which hormones were measured, on which platform, and the time and fasting status of each sample.
- 03 Findings
Values against age- and sex-specific ranges
Hormone-by-hormone results with the correct reference intervals and any assay-specific caveats.
- 04 Impression
The conclusion: read this first
The endocrine diagnosis — or the next test to reach one — and the concrete next step.
Sources
Clinical guidance behind this page.
- Society for Endocrinology. Clinical practice guidelines and endocrine reference materials.
- NICE. Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic conditions guidance.
- European Society of Endocrinology. Clinical practice guidelines.
- Endocrine Society. Clinical practice guidelines.
Reviewed by Pulse Atlas Editorial Board, . Last reviewed 2026-07-30. Next review 2027-07-30.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover depends on your policy and clinic; we confirm with your insurer before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about hormonal blood tests.
Quick answers on cost, timing, fasting, biotin, and when dynamic testing follows the panel.
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What is a hormonal blood test?
A menu of blood tests that measure endocrine hormones — thyroid (TSH, fT4, fT3), adrenal (cortisol, ACTH), pituitary (prolactin, IGF-1), reproductive (FSH, LH, oestradiol, testosterone, AMH) and metabolic (insulin, HbA1c). Interpretation is by a consultant endocrinologist alongside your history and imaging.
-
Why does the time of day matter?
Cortisol is highest at 9am and falls through the day, prolactin rises with stress and sleep, and FSH/LH are meaningful only on day 2–5 of a menstrual cycle. A sample taken at the wrong time gives a value that cannot be interpreted.
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Do I need to fast?
Yes for the metabolic panel — fasting insulin, HbA1c, glucose and lipids need an eight-hour fast. Thyroid, cortisol and reproductive hormones do not require fasting, though many patients prefer to combine them in one morning draw.
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Why do I need to stop biotin?
High-dose biotin (7.5mg and above, common in hair and nail supplements) interferes with the immunoassays used to measure TSH, fT4, cortisol and troponin — giving false-high or false-low results. Stop it for at least 72 hours before the draw.
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What does the test cost privately in London?
A single-panel test in our network is typically £120–£450, depending on how many hormones and which platform. A rounded endocrine consultation with panels is £400–£900. We confirm a firm figure within one working day.
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When would dynamic testing be needed?
When static bloods hint at Cushing’s, Addison’s, acromegaly or a pituitary tumour, the endocrinologist will arrange a dynamic test — synacthen, dexamethasone suppression, OGTT-with-GH or an insulin tolerance test — to confirm.
Related tests
Looking for a different test?
-
Male hormone testing
Total and free testosterone, SHBG, LH, FSH — the proper male hormone work-up.
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Menopause diagnostics
FSH, oestradiol and AMH interpreted alongside cycle history and symptoms.
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Dynamic function tests
Synacthen, dexamethasone suppression, OGTT-with-GH — when static bloods aren’t enough.
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In practice, in London
The honest picture around hormonal blood tests in London
With hormonal blood tests, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it — not whether the scan is available. On the NHS, hormonal blood tests typically sits behind a triage step and a wait that can stretch from a few weeks into months. In London’s private sector, the same appointment often lands within days. That speed matters when symptoms are disrupting work, sleep, or a plan you’d already committed to — and it’s the single most common reason people call us in the first place.
A typical private booking for hormonal blood tests in London starts with a consultant conversation — sometimes in person on Harley Street or Marylebone, sometimes on video if that suits better. Any imaging or diagnostics happen at a nearby CQC-registered facility, and reports usually land within 24 to 72 hours. The whole loop, from first call to written report, is often done inside a fortnight. For hormonal blood tests specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.
Where a good concierge earns its keep is in the matching. There are dozens of consultants in London who see hormonal blood tests — but not all of them are the right fit for every case. We narrow it down based on subspecialty, insurer coverage, the specific question being asked, and whether continuity into treatment matters. The right first appointment saves you from repeating yourself later.