Series 5 Episode 3: Measuring Hormone Levels - There's More to It Than You Think

Ruth Devlin
Nov 13
3 min read

Updated: Nov 24

Podcast: Menopause Matters, Let’s Talk

Guest: Dr Clare Spencer

Episode focus: Measuring hormone levels - there's more to it than you think

The Complexity of Trying to Measure Hormone Levels

During this episode Heather and our fabulous guest Dr Clare Spencer do an amazing job of simplifying this incredibly complex topic.

You might be thinking…mmm…not the sexiest topic to listen to but, please do because by the end not only will you have a greater understanding about blood tests but you’ll also be reminded about a few basics - understanding how other unmeasurable factors influence your symptoms as those hormones merrily fluctuate away and why it’s so important to disentangle how you really feel during this hormonal storminess.

Genuinely worth a listen...hang on in there!

Beyond the Numbers: Why Hormone Tests Don’t Tell the Whole Story

Dr Clare Spencer reminds us that blood tests are just one piece of the puzzle. Hormones fluctuate throughout the day which means a single test can not capture the full picture of what’s happening in your body.

Lifestyle, stress, sleep, environmental factors and genetics all play significant roles in how you feel during this hormonal transition. Heather and Clare discuss, how you feel is often just as important as what your blood test shows.

“Understanding your hormones isn’t just about measuring them, it’s about interpreting them in context.” – Dr Clare Spencer

Busting Common Myths About Hormone Testing

Heather and Clare drill down into the nitty gritty of this endlessly fascinating topic, dispelling myths and misinformation along the way, giving invaluable insight into a very misunderstood topic.

They explore:

How unmeasurable factors influence your symptoms
The impact of age and the menstrual cycle stage on results
What doctors are actually testing for
Why absorption levels can affect accuracy
Why there aren’t universal “target” hormone levels

By simplifying this complex topic, whilst batting away common myths and misinformation, Clare & Heather provide invaluable support to anyone listening - enabling women to be able to have informed conversations with their healthcare professionals resulting in being able to make more informed choices about the management of their symptoms.

The Science and the Subtleties: Questions Answered

Throughout this insightful conversation, Heather and Clare answer the most common questions asked:

Should you measure hormone levels at all?
Is there a right time to test?
How do you interpret the results?
How accurate are blood tests for hormones?
What about absorption levels if you’re already on HRT?
How do environmental and genetic factors come into play?
Avoiding developing tachyphylaxis and what is it
And what about prescribing HRT for bone health?

Their practical, evidence based insights make this one of our most informative episodes yet.

HRT and Bone Health: An Overlooked Benefit

Listen to learn how hormones and bone health are linked. Clare and Heather delve into how declining estrogen levels can affect bone density and how HRT can play a protective role when used appropriately.

This nuanced conversation helps listeners see HRT not just as symptom relief but as part of a bigger picture of long-term health.

Why You’ll Want to Tune In

If you’ve ever found hormone blood tests confusing or have received conflicting advice about what your results mean, this episode will bring you clarity.

Dr Heather Currie and Dr Clare Spencer strip away the jargon to explain what’s really going on, offering reassurance and practical wisdom that every woman needs to hear and understand.

🎧 Listen now to “Measuring Hormone Levels – There’s More to It Than You Think” on Menopause Matters, Let’s Talk.

Available on all major podcast platforms.

Dr Clare Spencer is a registered Menopause Specialist, GP Partner and co-founder of My Menopause Centre. She is a member of the British Menopause Society (BMS) advisory committee and is a BMS trainer. She is an experienced speaker and has written for many publications including writing for Tools for Clinicians for the BMS - MA MB BChir (Cantab) DM MRCOG MRCGP.

https://www.mymenopausecentre.com/our-purpose/

Useful links & resources:

· Women’s Health concern : www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets

· British Menopause society: thebms.org.uk/publications/tools-for-clinicians

· Menopause Matters : www.menopausematters.co.uk

· Let’s Talk Menopause : www.letstalkmenopause.co.uk

· NHS inform: www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/womens-health

· https://thebms.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/24-NEW-BMS-ToolsforClinicians-Measurement-of-serum-estradiol-JULY2025-B.pdf

Additional resources:

· BMS : www.thebms.org.uk

· NICE guidelines : www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23

· Squeezy app : www.squeezyapp.com