Hormone Balance Test - Symptom Checker

Find Out if Your Symptoms Are Due to a Hormonal Imbalance

By John R. Lee, M.D., Dr. David Zava and Virginia Hopkins

  1. Read carefully through the list of symptoms in each group, and write down each symptom that you have. (If you write down the same symptom in more than one group, that’s fine.)

  2. Go back and count the number of symptoms you have in each group. In any group where you have two or more symptoms written down, there’s a good chance that you have the hormone imbalance represented by that group.

  3. The more symptoms you write down, the higher the likelihood that you have the hormone imbalance represented by that group. (Some people may have more than one type of hormonal imbalance.)

  4. It is recommended that you print these pages and use them as a reference.

  5. For Women, click on the “Women’s Answers” button below.
    For Men, click on the “Men’s Answers” button below.

saliva hormone tests, women, men, hormone balance test, symptom checker

Saliva testing is a simple, accurate way to determine your "free" or bioavailable hormone levels.

Please Note: The information contained in this Hormone Balance Test is not intended to replace a one-to-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, and is not intended as medical advice, but as guidelines for determining the underlying cause of your symptoms. You are encouraged to make your health care decisions in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

Hormone Balance Test For Women

  • Symptom Group 1

    ▫️ PMS
    ▫️ Insomnia
    ▫️ Early miscarriage
    ▫️ Painful and/or lumpy breasts
    ▫️ Unexplained weight gain
    ▫️ Cyclical headaches
    ▫️ Anxiety
    ▫️ Infertility

    If you have written down two or more symptoms in this group, turn to answers to find out what type of hormonal imbalance you may have.

  • Symptom Group 2

    ▫️ Vaginal dryness
    ▫️ Painful intercourse
    ▫️ Bladder infections
    ▫️ Hot flashes
    ▫️ Night sweats
    ▫️ Memory problems
    ▫️ Lethargic depression

    If you have written down two or more symptoms in this group, turn to answers to find out what type of hormonal imbalance you may have.

  • Symptom Group 3

    ▫️ Puffiness and bloating
    ▫️ Rapid weight gain
    ▫️ Mood swings
    ▫️ Anxious depression
    ▫️ Insomnia
    ▫️ Red flush on face
    ▫️ Weepiness
    ▫️ Cervical dysplasia (abnormal pap smear)
    ▫️ Breast tenderness
    ▫️ Heavy bleeding
    ▫️ Migraine headaches
    ▫️ Foggy thinking
    ▫️ Gallbladder problems

    If you have written down two or more symptoms in this group, turn to answers to find out what type of hormonal imbalance you may have.

  • Symptom Group 4

    ▫️ A combination of the symptoms in Groups 1 and 3

    Add the number of symptoms you wrote down in Symptom Group 1 PLUS Symptom Group 3. If the total is 4 or 5 or more, turn to answers to find out what type of hormonal imbalance you may have.

  • Symptom Group 5

    ▫️ Acne
    ▫️ Excessive hair on the face and arms
    ▫️ Thinning hair on the head
    ▫️ Ovarian cysts
    ▫️ Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
    ▫️ Hypoglycemia and/or unstable blood sugar
    ▫️ Infertility
    ▫️ Mid-cycle pain

    If you have written down two or more symptoms in this group, turn to answers to find out what type of hormonal imbalance you may have.

  • Symptom Group 6

    ▫️ Debilitating fatigue
    ▫️ Foggy thinking
    ▫️ Thin and/or dry skin
    ▫️ Brown spots on face
    ▫️ Unstable blood sugar
    ▫️ Low blood pressure
    ▫️ Intolerance to exercise

    If you have written down two or more symptoms in this group, turn to answers to find out what type of hormonal imbalance you may have.

Hormone Balance Test For Men

  • Symptom Group 1

    ▫️ Weight loss
    ▫️ Loss of muscle
    ▫️ Lower sex drive
    ▫️ Fatigue
    ▫️ Enlarged breasts
    ▫️ Lower stamina
    ▫️ Softer erections
    ▫️ Gallbladder problems

    If you have written down two or more symptoms in this group, turn to answers to find out what type of hormonal imbalance you may have.

  • Symptom Group 2

    ▫️ Hair loss
    ▫️ Prostate enlargement
    ▫️ Irritability
    ▫️ Puffiness/bloating
    ▫️ Headaches
    ▫️ Breast enlargement
    ▫️ Weight gain

    If you have written down two or more symptoms in this group, turn to answers to find out what type of hormonal imbalance you may have.

  • Please Note

    The information contained in this Hormone Balance Test is not intended to replace a one-to-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, and is not intended as medical advice, but as guidelines for determining the underlying cause of your symptoms. You are encouraged to make your health care decisions in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

Women’s Answers

Symptom Group 1

Progesterone deficiency: This is the most common hormone imbalance among women of all ages. You may need to change your diet, get off of synthetic hormones (including birth control pills), and you may need to use some progesterone cream. (This is explained in detail in Dr. Lee's books, What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause and What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About PREMenopause.)
We recommend testing by our Saliva Profile I – female/male, which tests for the most important sex and also adrenal hormones. Or our Saliva Profile II – female/male, which adds more evaluation of adrenal function. Or our Saliva Profile III – female/male, for the most in-depth assessment of the sex and adrenal hormones.
If you prefer testing in blood spots, we recommend our Female Blood Profile I. Or our Female Blood Profile II to also test your thyroid hormones.
If you’re on a limited budget, we recommend our Hormone Trio – Saliva in a saliva test with the three most crucial sex hormones for women and for men: estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone. If you prefer testing these same three hormones in blood spots, use our Hormone Trio – Blood Spot in a blood spot test.

Symptom Group 2

Estrogen deficiency: This hormone imbalance is most common in menopausal women, especially if you are petite and/or slim. You may need to make some special changes to your diet; take some women’s herbs; and some women may even need a little bit of natural estrogen (about one-tenth the dose prescribed by most doctors).
We recommend testing by our Saliva Profile I – female/male, which tests for the most important sex and also adrenal hormones. Or our Saliva Profile II – female/male, which adds more evaluation of adrenal function. Or our Saliva Profile III – female/male, for the most in-depth assessment of the sex and adrenal hormones.
If you prefer testing in blood spots, we recommend our Female Blood Profile I. Or our Female Blood Profile II to also test your thyroid hormones.
If you’re on a limited budget, we recommend our Hormone Trio – Saliva in a saliva test with the three most crucial sex hormones for women and for men: estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone. If you prefer testing these same three hormones in blood spots, use our Hormone Trio – Blood Spot in a blood spot test.

Symptom Group 3

Excess estrogen: In women, this is most often solved by getting off of the conventional synthetic hormones most often prescribed by doctors for menopausal women.
We recommend testing by our Saliva Profile I – female/male, which tests for the most important sex and also adrenal hormones. Or our Saliva Profile II – female/male, which adds more evaluation of adrenal function. Or our Saliva Profile III – female/male, for the most in-depth assessment of the sex and adrenal hormones.
If you prefer testing in blood spots, we recommend our Female Blood Profile I. Or our Female Blood Profile II to also test your thyroid hormones.
If you’re on a limited budget, we recommend our Hormone Trio – Saliva in a saliva test with the three most crucial sex hormones for women and for men: estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone. If you prefer testing these same three hormones in blood spots, use our Hormone Trio – Blood Spot in a blood spot test.

Symptom Group 4

Estrogen dominance: This is caused when you don’t have enough progesterone to balance the effects of estrogen. Thus, you can have low estrogen but if you have even lower progesterone, you can have symptoms of estrogen dominance. Many women between the ages of 40 and 50 suffer from estrogen dominance. This topic is covered in much detail in Dr. Lee's timeless book, What Your Doctor May Not Tell You about Menopause.
We recommend testing by our Saliva Profile I – female/male, which tests for the most important sex and also adrenal hormones. Or our Saliva Profile II – female/male, which adds more evaluation of adrenal function. Or our Saliva Profile III – female/male, for the most in-depth assessment of the sex and adrenal hormones.
If you prefer testing in blood spots, we recommend our Female Blood Profile I. Or our Female Blood Profile II to also test your thyroid hormones.
If you’re on a limited budget, we recommend our Hormone Trio – Saliva in a saliva test with the three most crucial sex hormones for women and for men: estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone. If you prefer testing these same three hormones in blood spots, use our Hormone Trio – Blood Spot in a blood spot test.

Symptom Group 5

Excess androgens (male hormones): This is most often caused by too much sugar and simple carbohydrates in the diet and is often found in women who have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). You can find out more about PCOS in What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About PREmenopause.
We recommend testing by our Saliva Profile I – female/male, which tests for the most important sex and also adrenal hormones. Or our Saliva Profile II – female/male, which adds more evaluation of adrenal function. Or our Saliva Profile III – female/male, for the most in-depth assessment of the sex and adrenal hormones.
If you prefer testing in blood spots, we recommend our Female Blood Profile I. Or our Female Blood Profile II to also test your thyroid hormones.
If you’re on a limited budget, we recommend our Hormone Trio – Saliva in a saliva test with the three most crucial sex hormones for women and for men: estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone. If you prefer testing these same three hormones in blood spots, use our Hormone Trio – Blood Spot in a blood spot test.

Symptom Group 6

Cortisol deficiency: This is caused by tired adrenals, which is usually caused by chronic stress. If you’re trying to juggle a job and a family, chances are good you have tired adrenals. There are great chapters on restoring your adrenal function in two of Dr. Lee’s books: What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause and What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About PREMenopause.
We recommend testing by our Saliva Profile III – female/male, for the most in-depth assessment of the sex and adrenal hormones. Or our Adrenal Stress Profile which can help assess the function of your adrenal glands, and measures DHEA-S and Cortisol. Or our Diurnal Cortisol, or Cortisol Awakening Response saliva tests.
If you prefer testing in blood spots, we recommend our Female Blood Profile I. Or our Female Blood Profile II to also test your thyroid hormones.

More Help on Which Saliva Tests or Blood Spot Tests to Order

There are suggestions for testing after each Symptom Group in the Women’s Answers. Here’s some additional information and testing suggestions.

Do You Need a Saliva or Blood Spot Hormone Test?

Men’s Answers

Symptom Group 1

Testosterone deficiency: This is most common in men over the age of fifty, and can be remedied with special nutritional supplements; increased muscle-building exercise; and supplemental hormones including (natural) testosterone, progesterone, and DHEA. You can find details in Dr. Lee's booklet, Hormone Balance For Men.
We recommend testing by our Saliva Profile I – female/male, which tests for the most important sex and also adrenal hormones. Or our Saliva Profile II – female/male, which adds more evaluation of adrenal function. Or our Saliva Profile III – female/male, for the most in-depth assessment of the sex and adrenal hormones.
If you prefer testing in blood spots, we recommend our Male Blood Profile I or Male Blood Profile II to also test your thyroid hormones.
If you’re on a limited budget, we recommend our Hormone Trio – Saliva in a saliva test with the three most crucial sex hormones for men and for women: estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone. If you prefer testing these same three hormones in blood spots, use our Hormone Trio – Blood Spot in a blood spot test.

Symptom Group 2

Excess estrogen: In men, excess estrogen can be balanced with one of the male hormones and changes in diet and lifestyle. You can read about this in detail in Dr. Lee's booklet, Hormone Balance For Men. It is also recommended that you get a saliva hormone test to pinpoint your hormone balance more exactly.
We recommend testing by our Saliva Profile I – female/male, which tests for the most important sex and also adrenal hormones. Or our Saliva Profile II – female/male, which adds more evaluation of adrenal function. Or our Saliva Profile III – female/male, for the most in-depth assessment of the sex and adrenal hormones.
If you prefer testing in blood spots, we recommend our Male Blood Profile I or Male Blood Profile II to also test your thyroid hormones.
If you’re on a limited budget, we recommend our Hormone Trio – Saliva in a saliva test with the three most crucial sex hormones for men and for women: estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone. If you prefer testing these same three hormones in blood spots, use our Hormone Trio – Blood Spot in a blood spot test.

More Help on Which Saliva Tests or Blood Spot Tests to Order

There are suggestions for testing after each Symptom Group in the Men’s Answers. Here’s some additional information and testing suggestions.

  • If you’re primarily having issues with stress and fatigue, we recommend testing by our Saliva Profile III – female/male, for the most in-depth assessment of the sex and adrenal hormones. Or our Adrenal Stress Profile which can help assess the function of your adrenal glands, and measures DHEA-S and Cortisol. Or our Diurnal Cortisol, or Cortisol Awakening Response saliva tests.
    If you prefer testing in blood spots, we recommend our Male Blood Profile I. Or our Male Blood Profile II to also test your thyroid hormones.

  • If you just want the basics, or you’re on a limited budget, we recommend our Hormone Trio – Saliva in a saliva test with the three most crucial sex hormones for men and for women: estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone.
    If you prefer testing these same three hormones in blood spots, use our Hormone Trio – Blood Spot in a blood spot test.

  • If you want to test your blood Vitamin D levels, we recommend testing by our Total Vitamin D 25-OH (D2, D3) in blood spots. This test measures Vitamin D blood levels and monitors both Vitamin D2 and D3 levels to look for deficiencies. Vitamin D deficiency is a potential cause of many health problems including osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, strokes, cancer, and reduced resistance to colds, flus, and autoimmune diseases. For more information, read our article about the benefits of maintaining a healthy Vitamin D level.

  • If you want to test your blood Thyroid Hormone levels, we recommend testing by Blood Spots in one of our Thyroid Profiles.

Do You Need a Saliva or Blood Spot Hormone Test?