'My body was screaming that something wasn't right. A hormone test showed it wasn't just stress.'

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As women, we know our bodies — and we know when something isn't right. Yet, when we go to the doctor, we hear: everything is probably fine.

It's exhausting. And more often than not, that vague reassurance is a glossed-over response to something far more complicated.

Recently, I was experiencing chronic acne for the first time in my life (I'd never had it as a teenager), felt exhausted all the time, and knew something was off.

Somehow, I ended up in the annals of TikTok and came across American women doing functional hormone testing — essentially a window into what was happening inside their bodies.

It amazed me that so much could be revealed from a simple blood test (or in some cases, a urine or saliva sample). But when I asked a doctor — who is actually lovely and supportive — she told me it's not standard practice to run a full hormone panel unless there's a clear medical reason.

That's because under Medicare, hormonal testing must be deemed "medically necessary" to be covered, and doctors are audited on what they request.

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Naturopath Nicole Woodcock tells Mamamia, "Many women find that routine hormone testing isn't offered unless they fall into a classic symptom picture like PCOS or infertility. And even in those cases, sometimes hormones aren't even tested."

She says the system is geared toward diagnosing disease, not detecting early imbalance — meaning many women feel left in the dark.

So, I decided to be a guinea pig.

I paid for a private hormone test through iMedical, determined to get some clarity on what was happening in my body.

What I found was shocking. I've had hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) for years and take medication. My dose had been reduced after a "normal" reading — but the test revealed that my levels had since spiralled. Where a healthy TSH range sits between 0.5-4.0, mine was now 48.

That wasn't all. My DHEAs were high, which could explain the acne and some menstrual irregularities I'd been chalking up to stress.

Luckily, my cortisol — the stress hormone — was fine.

Still, seeing those numbers was like peering into a previously invisible layer of my health. It was the craziest thing I'd ever read — and, strangely, the most validating.

Whoops. Image: Supplied.

Woodcock (who specialises in hormonal imbalance, PCOS and perimenopause) says this validation is something many women are actively seeking.

"More than ever, women are asking, 'Why do I feel this way?' and they're no longer satisfied with vague answers like 'it's just stress' or 'that's normal for your age,'" she explains. 

"We're in a cultural moment where women are reclaiming their body literacy. They want more than a quick fix. They want connection, clarity and care that respects their intuition and lived experience."

Woodcock says hormone literacy has gone mainstream, thanks to podcasts, cycle-tracking apps, social media and wellness trends.

"We're seeing more conversations around PMS, perimenopause, burnout and contraception. These were once taboo. Now women are taking matters into their own hands."

Hormones are the body's chemical messengers — they regulate everything from energy and sleep to libido, metabolism and mood.

Common hormones tested include oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, thyroid hormones, and follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH and LH).

But Woodcock warns that testing hormones isn't always straightforward.

"Hormone levels naturally fluctuate daily, monthly and across a woman's lifetime," she says. "So a single test result doesn't tell the whole story. We need to consider the timing in the cycle, age, symptoms, nutrient status — all of it."

That's a view echoed by Chris Betro, director of iMedical, who says hormone testing can be helpful — but only when understood in context. The risk of DIY diagnosis is real.

"People need to be aware that the main issue with self testing is that results really need to be viewed in context," Betro says. "Looking at those results yourself, without education…you may be very alarmed."

It's the very reason why the business has an in-house doctor to translate their clients' results.

For many women, private testing offers access they don't get elsewhere.

Betro explains that Medicare only funds testing for active, diagnosed conditions — not vague symptoms or general curiosity.

"Doctors do get audited by Medicare on why they have ordered particular tests and need to prove they were clinically justified... Otherwise it would simply be a free for all."

Woodcock agrees, saying more women are seeking out naturopaths and integrative GPs who can test beyond standard ranges. They're not just looking for 'normal', they're looking for 'optimal'. 

"We're looking at optimal levels, so often, you may have been told that all your hormones look fine, but you know that it's not," Woodcock explains. 

"A classic example of this is iron, where the reference range is 30 to 200. From a naturopathy point of view, we would want that range to sit somewhere in the middle, so that you're at optimal health. So 30 to 200 is a really, really big range."

Hormone testing, she says, is one part of the puzzle — but not the whole story. "We never look at results in isolation. You have to assess the whole person — stress, gut health, nutrition, history, goals. That's why guidance is so key."

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This shift toward proactive health isn't just anecdotal — it's cultural.

Betro says there's been a clear increase in demand for private testing over the past few years, especially from women.

"Yes, there is a growing interest," he says. "People are realising they need to take their health into their own hands — at least wellness-type health.

"You can't manage a serious issue yourself, but with the more subtle ones, you live in your body 24/7. You know when something's off."

He says GPs do a brilliant job within a very limited window of time, but often the healthcare system isn't set up to investigate or validate someone who's just… not feeling right.

While GPs are fantastic, they are more set up to quickly and effectively fix a 'problem', not so much pontificate on how to make you 'feel better'. Understandable when you see a waiting room with 20 people."

That frustration is especially common among women. Dr Woodcock says that for many of her clients, their drive to explore hormone testing comes after feeling dismissed or overlooked in conventional care.

"Sadly, yes — countless women describe feeling brushed off, misunderstood or told their symptoms are just part of being a woman," she says. "Even today, women can present with extreme period pain and be told it's normal. No further investigation."

She says that's not just disempowering — it can lead to years of unnecessary suffering.

"The psychology behind this is simple: validation is powerful. When a woman understands the 'why' behind her symptoms, she feels seen. It helps her make informed choices, reduces fear and restores trust in her body."

That trust is at the core of what hormone testing can offer, when done with guidance. While Woodcock stresses that hormone levels are "only one part of the picture", she sees testing as a useful tool — not to chase diagnoses, but to give women a sense of agency.

"Women are leading the charge in personalised care," she says. "Instead of waiting for a diagnosis, many are turning to preventative strategies, and holistic support to feel better now."

Betro adds that while self-testing has limitations, it can also be a valuable first step — particularly when someone is struggling to be heard.

"It's very handy to be able to just quickly order a test without all the faffing around, and get results very quickly," he says. "If the results are abnormal or not understood, then they are ready to simply be taken to your doctor. Knowledge isn't a bad thing."

That knowledge has changed how I feel about my health. 

Since receiving my results, I've been able to adjust my thyroid medication (with my GP's support) and be more mindful of my cycle and stress levels. I'm not claiming to have solved everything — but I feel like I've finally got a map. And that matters.

Understanding your body shouldn't be a luxury or a last resort. Hormone testing gave me clarity, and from that clarity, a plan. Not a miracle, not a cure — but finally, a starting point.

This article is not a substitute for professional, personalised health advice. If you have concerns, please seek out a qualified medical professional.

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