Hormone Testing 101: Urine Tests vs Blood Tests for Hormone Analysis

Why is it important to learn about urine tests vs blood tests? We can find out a lot about our bodies when we take a closer look at our hormones. A simple example of this is at-home pregnancy tests, which can detect the key pregnancy hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) as early as the first day after a missed period.

Beyond pregnancy, our hormones can also give us clues on ovulation, fertility, thyroid functioning, underlying health conditions, and more!  

When it comes to actually testing your hormones, the two most common testing methods are blood and urine testing. Both methods serve a unique purpose, and in this article, we’ll explore how each method works, which hormones can be tested, and what they can tell us about our bodies. 

The Importance of Testing Your Hormones

Hormones are best described as the body’s “chemical messengers”. They communicate with nearly every cell in the body, helping to regulate essential biological processes such as reproduction, growth and development, energy production, metabolism, and so much more!  

We naturally feel at our best when our hormones are in balance and functioning properly. We tend to sleep better and feel more energized, and our menstrual cycles are regular.  

However, if our hormones are out of balance, this can lead to a number of health challenges that interfere with our quality of life – such as unexplained weight loss or weight gain, sleep disorders, mood disorders, fatigue, acne, irregular periods, and even infertility. 

Unfortunately, although we can ‘feel’ symptoms of hormone imbalance, we can’t exactly ‘see’ what our hormones are doing inside of our bodies in real time. However, we can test for them in our blood and urine. By checking our hormones regularly, we can gain insights into our health and receive effective treatment. 

Blood vs Urine Testing: What’s the Difference? 

Blood Testing Explained

The traditional way to have your hormones checked for imbalances is with a blood serum test at your doctor’s office. For this test, a trained medical professional will use a needle and syringe to extract a blood sample from a vein. The blood sample will then be transported to a laboratory for testing, and your results will be communicated to you within a day or two.

Your doctor will know which hormones to check for depending on your medical history and symptoms. For example, fertility hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) can be checked to explore potential causes of infertility. 

Another type of blood test is a finger-prick blood test that can be taken at home. For this test, you will be provided with instructions and a test kit with everything you need to take and submit your test. The process typically involves using a lancet (i.e. a tiny blade or needle) to pierce the skin. You can then collect drops of blood in a small sample tube and then ship the sample to a laboratory for testing. 

There are several different types of finger-prick tests available that can check for various aspects of health – such as thyroid functioning, female fertility, stress, and hormone balance. We even have our own finger-prick test here at Mira – the Panorama Fertility Lab Test – which tests for five different hormones that affect fertility. 

Urine Testing Explained

It’s also possible to test your hormone levels in urine. The most well-known type of urine hormone test is the standard pregnancy test, which tests for the pregnancy hormone, hCG. Similar to pregnancy tests are ovulation predictor kits (OPKs), which test for elevated LH levels ahead of ovulation.  

Traditional urine hormone tests come in the form of ‘strips’ or ‘sticks’ and utilize lateral flow assay technology. The process involves collecting a urine sample, testing the sample, and then waiting a few minutes for the results to appear directly on the test. These tests can only provide a ‘positive’ or ‘negative’ result, with the appearance of two lines indicating that a result is positive and the appearance of one line indicating the result is negative. 

In recent years, digital urine hormone tests have grown in popularity. The most basic digital tests still utilize the same lateral flow assay technology as traditional tests, however, they have a tiny computer that interprets the results. 

A more advanced form of a digital test is a hormone monitor, which not only tests but also records and tracks your results over time. Mira’s own Hormone Monitor is the most advanced digital hormone monitor available. What sets Mira apart is that it utilizes fluorescent lateral flow immunoassay technology, which makes it possible to measure and track up to four key fertility hormones in urine with lab-grade accuracy. Unlike traditional urine hormone tests, Mira results are displayed numerically – allowing individuals to see their exact LH, FSH, progesterone, and estrogen levels in real time. 

When tracked over time in the Mira App, individuals can chart their 6-day fertile window, predict ovulation, confirm ovulation, and gain a better understanding of their fertility status. To learn more about the science behind how Mira works, check out our article The Science of Hormone Tracking.

4 Reasons Why We Love Urine Testing 

Easy and Pain-free

It goes without saying, but having your blood drawn or your finger pricked can be a bit uncomfortable – and sometimes painful! Urine tests provide a more convenient and pain-free way to test your hormones. No expensive visits to the doctor’s office. No bandages or bruises. 

Speed of Results

Blood tests must be analyzed in a laboratory, and it can take days (or even weeks in some cases) to receive your results. With urine tests, your results are ready to view within minutes. Even with Mira’s advanced hormone testing system, you’ll get your results in 21 minutes. 

High Accuracy 

Compared to blood tests, urine tests can provide a more accurate picture of your hormone levels. Why? Because it takes time for the bladder to fill up, and a urine test reflects the average hormone level of the hours prior to testing. Blood tests, on the other hand, only capture hormone levels at a single moment in time.

For example, during the luteal phase, research shows serum progesterone concentration levels fluctuate throughout the day. A blood test during this time could indicate progesterone levels are too high or too low, even if they are technically at a healthy level. In this case, urine testing would reflect a more balanced and reliable result. 

Added Insights With Hormone Metabolites

With urine testing, we get to see a complete picture of both sex hormones and their hormone metabolites. Hormone metabolites are active hormones that have ended their function, been metabolized by the body, and are ready to be excreted by the body through urine. By testing and tracking hormone metabolites, we can explore how hormones are being used and processed in the body. This information is helpful for doctors when diagnosing and treating the root cause of hormone imbalance.  

Which Testing Method is Right for You? 

Each testing method serves its own unique purpose. 

Blood tests can detect a broad range of hormones, giving individuals and healthcare providers a bird’s eye perspective of their overall hormone health. Doctors can then use this information to identify and diagnose potential underlying health concerns. Common situations where blood testing can be helpful include: evaluating thyroid functioning, diagnosing hormone imbalance, diagnosing underlying health conditions, and evaluating ovarian reserve.  

Urine tests are much cheaper and more convenient than blood testing, making them best suited for ongoing hormone health monitoring and management. Common scenarios where urine testing can be helpful include: planning a pregnancy, balancing reproductive hormones, managing PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), and navigating perimenopause. 

Final Thoughts

At Mira, we are passionate about closing the women’s health research gap and improving access to hormone testing for women. To learn more and get involved, check out our Sex Hormones Awareness Week campaign. 

If you are actively TTC, you may also find our library of free webinars, ebooks, and blogs helpful for planning a pregnancy. 

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