The Cyclical Pacing Of The Ovaries
Your ovaries release hormones in cycles this is known as a menstrual cycle, on average, a cycle last between 26 to 30 days. The hormones GnRH, FSH, LH are hormones from the hypothalamus & pituitary glands in the brain. They control the timing & pacing of the release of the two major classes of ovarian hormones. The most important female steroid sex hormones are estrogens & progesterone, the major & most active being estradiol & progesterone.
Come Armed With Your Own Research
It never hurts to present a physician with your own research on the topic that concerns you. If youve done your homework, feel free to bring along books, studies or other materials on the subject.This can help start the conversation, letting your doctor know that youre informed and serious about getting answers. Another research step you can take is to complete a comprehensive hormonal profile test at home and take the results to your appointment.
What Are The Costs Of Hormone Tests
The cost of hormone testing vary. Serum blood draws are typically the cheapest option. This type of testing is the standard of practice and is often covered by insurance providers.
Saliva and urine testing, which are often done at home by the individual, can vary in price depending on the company.
A full urine hormone panel including sex hormones , androgen hormones , cortisol, and all their metabolites can range from $200-500 depending on the company and which tests are being performed.
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Symptoms Can Often Tell More Than Diagnostic Tests
A lot of the information about menopause that you will find in popular magazines, on social media, and from Internet searches will talk about the importance of measuring your hormone levels. But, more likely than not, when you ask your doctor to check your hormone levels, he or she will tell you it is not indicated.
This conflict around the importance of knowing where your hormone levels are during the menopausal transition can be very confusing and frustrating, especially when you are feeling miserable. A big industry has grown around helping women manage the often very unpleasant symptoms of the menopausal transition, and, unfortunately, a lot of the marketing can be misleading.
It is important to understand that the idea of measuring your hormone levels to diagnose and manage the menopausal transition is not well supported by medical evidence. Probably the biggest problem with checking your hormone levels in the menopausal transition is that the changes in your hormone levels are unpredictable, which makes them very difficult to interpret.
Remember, the menopausal transition is the result of the normal aging process of your ovaries. Unless you had your ovaries removed surgically or they were damaged by chemotherapy, this transition is going to be gradual.
When To Test Cortisol
We cant always get a full picture of whats going on with your hormones without looking at the adrenals, which produce the stress hormone cortisol.
Cortisol is involved in your stress response, hair loss, blood sugar regulation and more. In time of stress, the body will shift into preferentially making cortisol over progesterone. Read more about the importance of cortisol here.
Cortisol blood tests are best performed in the morning, along with Adrenocorticotropic hormone , because this is when levels are highest. ACTH is produced in the pituitary gland and helps your adrenals to function. For a more comprehensive picture of adrenal function, a 4-point salivary or urinary cortisol is best. Cortisol can be tested at any time of the month.
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Become Your Own Health Advocate: Ask Your Ob/gyn For These 4 Tests
It took me a long time to realize that doctors wonât offer me services or testsunless I ask for them.
Iâve been dealing with a strange array of symptoms since moving to Berlin, so Iwent to my OB/GYN to ask for a hormone profile bloodtestto rule out low thyroid, polycystic ovary syndrome , endometriosis, etc.
At first, she said no.
Iâve gotten quite used to this in Germany. The healthcare system is readilyavailable to most citizens and residents , but, as aresult, the level of care seems slightly compromised compared to the U.S.âwhere if you have insurance, youâre gravy. If you donât, youâre screwed.
The healthcare systems in the U.S. and Germany are some of the best and mostprivileged in the world, but moving from one to the other has given me a newperspective on their many systemic flaws.
In Germany itâs difficult to book an appointment with any kind of specialist, and once you do get anappointment, it seems like the doctor is racing the clock to get you out inrecord time.
They do their best to avoid testing for preventive measures.
And this is frustrating. Itâs frustrating because healthcare is moving away fromsolely reactive care that treats symptoms and towards a more holistic,preventive care that empowers the patient to take control of underlyingproblems.
Weâre stuck in the middle of a technological growth spurt, and with that, comethe growing pains.
*Between ages 21â29, every three years
Risks Of Not Treating Hormone Imbalances
Hormone imbalances, when left untreated, are more than just annoying mood swings and bad PMS. They can be indicators that something more serious rarely, even cancerous is happening in your body.
Not getting your hormones back in balance could lead to other problems, like elevated cholesterol, osteoporosis, obesity, lack of sleep, and more.
Although truly identified hormonal imbalances often need medical or even surgical intervention, a healthy lifestyle can improve low-level symptoms.
Do your best to get:
- 6-8 hours of sleep each day
- 30+ minutes of vigorous exercise daily
- And a high-quality diet with enough protein and healthy fats and less sugar.
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How Hormone Testing Works
Hormones can be tested several different ways blood, urine, and saliva. Which one is best for you depends on your symptoms or any diagnosed conditions. In general, for fertility and to monitor the status of hormone replacement therapy, blood tests are sufficient. When evaluating hormone imbalances like PMS, PCOS, and chronic fatigue choosing urine or saliva will provide you additional insight into the root cause of the condition. Its important to test your estrogen metabolites and the circadian rhythm of your cortisol to obtain a complete picture of your hormones and evaluate any potential hormone imbalance.
If youre on birth control, your hormone levels on any test will be suppressed, because birth control pills contain synthetic estrogen and/or progesterone which deplete your bodys natural production of these hormones. Once going off the birth control pill, your body should naturally take over this process again, however that can take up to 12 months to regain a regular menstrual cycle.
What Are The Advantages Of This Test
Convenience: No blood draws, No inconvenient 24-hour urine collection.
Physiological accuracy: It has been demonstrated by research that the free hormone fraction is most dominant in saliva & the female hormone levels correlate at 93% with the free hormones in the tissues. The free hormone fraction is very important, because it is the bioactive fraction that most significantly influences living cells. Dr. Cushings FDA approved saliva hormone tests provide a view of the ovarian capacity over a whole menstrual cycle.
It is Dr. Cushings opinion, and it is a scientific fact that saliva testing for reproductive hormones is superior in many ways to the traditional blood & urine analysis approach. The reason being that it is more important to know if the hormones are active in the tissues than to measure the amounts stored in the blood.
Economy: Saliva testing is considerably cheaper than the cost of two blood draws & a urine analysis. Not to mention the fact that medical testing is often incomplete & inadequate for most patients.
We do not deal with Insurance companies so all tests are payable at time of visit.
However, if Patients would like to submit a claim to their own insurance carrier, Dr. Cushing will give them the appropriate insurance claim codes for their particular diagnosis. This can only be done after the test is complete & a diagnosis has been determined.
The sale of all laboratory test kits is final. No refunds or credits are given.
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What Causes A Hormonal Imbalance
The causes of hormonal imbalances vary according to the specific hormone involved. However, in general, they are due to changes or dysfunctions of a hormone-producing gland. For instance, a thyroid gland that isn’t functioning correctly may produce too much thyroid hormone, accelerating your bodys metabolism or could produce too little. Thyroid dysfunction can be caused by autoimmune diseases, thyroid nodules, medications or, rarely, thyroid cancer, among other potential causes. Imbalances in male or female sex hormones, such as estrogen, progesterone and testosterone, can be caused by age-related changes, such as menopause and andropause, as well as genetic disorders, stress, nutritional issues, or medications. Excessive stress, poor diet, aging and certain medications can contribute to imbalances in cortisol and other adrenal hormones.
There are many different underlying causes that can result in a hormonal imbalance. Each cause relates to different glands and hormones and, does impact your body differently. Many diseases and other conditions can result in a hormonal imbalance.
Diabetes
Diabetes is characterized by an inability to properly use the insulin hormone. An insulin imbalance can lead to other related hormonal imbalances as well such as disrupting estrogen, testosterone, thyroid, progesterone, and cortisol.
Hypothyroidism or Hyperthyroidism
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
Cushing Syndrome
Addison’s Disease
Turner Syndrome
Prader-Willi Syndrome
Pancreatitis
How And Why Do Men And Women Experience Hormonal Imbalances Differently
Hormones impact men and women differently, particularly when you’re dealing with those specific to the reproductive system. Men and women also go through different developmental stages. Women will experience hormonal changes with their menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause, which men do not experience. Women may experience hormonal imbalances that present through:
- Vaginal dryness or discomfort
- Erectile dysfunction
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There Is A Similar Test Advertised On The Internet Can This Test Be Taken At Home
Samples of urine, saliva, faeces and finger-prick blood, which can be collected at home, are currently used by the NHS for specific tests, especially in relation to children.
It is recommended that all tests are overseen by the patients GP and/or endocrinologist. This is because it is important that a doctor has carried out a full examination of the patient and talked to them face-to-face to ensure that they can properly interpret the results of any tests. The advantage of a professionally collected sample , eg, blood from a vein, is that enough is taken to allow double-checking of extreme results, repeating the analysis after dilution, investigating possible human or biological interference, allowing additional tests to be carried out if required without the delay and discomfort of taking another sample.
Some internet laboratories are acceptable, but the small volume of self-taken samples creates limitations. With hormones, it is often best to measure more than one at once in order to get the full-picture.
It can be difficult for internet laboratories without full knowledge of individual medical details, for example, the drugs being taken, to appreciate the significance of the results, or fully interpret them.
It is important to take care when comparing results from different laboratories because significant variation can arise from differences in the measurement technology.
Natural Remedies And Supplements
There are many nutritional supplements on the market that claim to treat menopause and hormone imbalance. However, few of them are backed up by scientific evidence.
Many of these supplements contain plant-derived hormones. These are sometimes called bioidentical hormones because they chemically resemble the bodys natural hormones. Theres no evidence to suggest that they work better than regular hormone therapy, though.
Some people find that yoga helps treat symptoms of hormonal imbalance. Yoga is excellent for your strength, flexibility, and balance. It may also aid in weight loss, which can help regulate your hormones.
You can also make the following lifestyle changes:
- Lose weight. A
The primary cause of acne is excess oil production, which leads to clogged pores. Acne is most common in areas with many oil glands, including the:
- face
- upper back
- shoulders
Acne is often associated with pubescent hormonal changes, but theres actually a lifelong relationship between acne and hormones.
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What Can I Do About Long Term Symptoms
Often, women come to me after theyve dealt with symptoms for weeks, months sometimes even years! When that happens, theres more at play than those natural fluctuations. Something has gone haywire, and it is past time to figure out what! No one should have to deal with fatigue, irritability, anxiety, hair and skin issues, or other frustrating symptoms indefinitely.
When I see these women, I often recommend a complete hormone panel. Testing all hormone levels allows me to dig deep into whats going on behind the scenes. With a complete overview of a womans hormonal health, I can ask the right questions to help determine why things have gone so out of balance. And once I have a better idea of whats really going on, I can help women find the best ways to level things out. Every woman is a unique individual, with different lifestyle habits, genetic traits, and emotional baggage. And all of those things are connected to finding balance.
Theres no one size fits all protocol I use for hormone testing. I listen to exactly whats going on for my patients, and make suggestions tailored to their unique needs.
What Are The Treatment Options
Hormone replacement therapy is one of the most common treatments of low hormone levels.
For people experiencing menopause, premature menopause, or primary ovarian insufficiency as well as after oophorectomy or chemotherapy estrogen therapy can offer some relief. Estrogen therapy alone is recommended for those who have had a hysterectomy. You can take estrogen in different forms, generally estrogen pills and estrogen patches.
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What Are The Different Types Of Hormones
Endocrine glands are located throughout the body. These glands include the:
- Hypothalamus: controls thirst, hunger, sleep, sex drive, moods, body temperature, and the release of other hormones
- Parathyroid: controls calcium
- Ovaries, in women: controls female sex hormones
- Testes, in men: controls male sex hormones
There are several different types of hormones in the body. When you have a hormonal imbalance, you may have a problem in one of more of these glands. The specific hormone that’s imbalanced will determine the signs and symptoms that you experience as a result. Some of the major hormones found in the body include:
- Estrogen: controls sex drive in both men and women, and regulates the menstrual cycle in women
- Progesterone: influences the body’s changes through pregnancy
- Testosterone: controls sex drive in both men and women
- Cortisol: controls stress
- Melatonin: control’s the body’s circadian rhythm and sleep cycles
- Serotonin: controls sleep cycles, appetite, and mood
- Growth hormone: controls the reproduction of cells and their subsequent growth
- Leptin: controls appetite, signaling when you’re full
- Ghrelin: controls appetite, signaling when you’re hungry
- Insulin: responds to sugar in the bloodstream
If your hormones are well-balanced, you will thrive. An imbalance, however, is something you cannot afford to ignore.
Possible Causes Of Abnormally Low Cortisol Levels
Addisons disease
Also called primary adrenal insufficiency, this is a condition that occurs when the adrenal glands are damaged and become unable to produce enough cortisol and/or other stress hormones. This is most often caused by auto-immune activity, where the immune system attacks the bodys own tissues. Other potential causes include long-term use of steroid medications, certain blood thinners, tumors and infections.
Problems with the pituitary gland
Low cortisol levels can be caused by the pituitary gland failing to release enough ACTH. This latter is important to trigger adequate amounts of cortisol to be released from the adrenal glands. This is typically referred to as secondary adrenal insufficiency, or hypopituitarism and, can be caused by trauma to the pituitary gland, brain tumors, pituitary gland tumors, stroke, autoimmune diseases and tuberculosis, among many other possible causes.
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What Dr Cushing Tests For:
The Female Hormone Panel is a simple, non-invasive FDA approved lab test. The patient collects eleven saliva samples during specied time periods throughout the menstrual cycle.
* Using this panel, Dr. Cushing can simultaneously view his patients estrogen & progesterone level & the cycle average for testosterone & DHEA. This minimizes diagnostic guesswork, & evaluates for possible hormonal imbalances. This enables Dr. Cushing to then put together a personal treatment plan for his patients.
* The expanded panel includes five FSH & LH measurements to check if brain control & stimulation of the ovaries are working optimally.
Testing For A Hormonal Imbalance
There are numerous types of tests for your doctor to choose from in order to detect a hormonal imbalance. Your symptoms will surely put him in the right direction. So, you do need to fully disclose to your doctor about your signs and symptoms for him to order the right hormones to be tested.
A blood test is one of the most common ways to test hormone levels. This test can detect testosterone, estrogen, cortisol, and thyroid levels. You should order a test thats specific to your gender, as a womens hormone test will look for different levels of sex hormones than a mens test. A simple saliva test can detect several types of hormones as well. With a saliva test, you can look at your estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone levels.
If your doctor is concerned about a particular gland in your body, he or she might order an ultrasound. This can be the case of testing the pituitary gland, uterus, testicles, ovaries, and thyroid. An X-ray or MRI will offer further opportunities for imaging. Depending on the results of prior tests, additional types of testing might often be needed to have a better diagnosis. A biopsy of a problematic gland can help your healthcare provider find issues with that specific gland.
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