FEMALE HORMONE PANEL

Women of any age can be affected by hormone issues. Women who still have menstrual cycles may experience infertility, premenstrual syndrome, mood swings, anxiety, painful periods and other symptoms as a result of hormone imbalance. Women in peri-menopause and menopause often experience debilitating sleep disturbances, night sweats, hot flashes, accelerated bone loss and many other symptoms related to hormone changes. The Female Panel helps healthcare professionals sort out the specifics of the hormone imbalance.

Other conditions associated with hormone imbalance include:

• weight gain
• depression, irritability, difficulty coping
• bone loss
• breast cancer

Saliva hormone testing is simple, accurate, and easily obtained. Five hormones make up the Female Panel: cortisol, DHEAs, estradiol, progesterone and testosterone. Interactions between these hormones are fundamental to health – which is why imbalances can have a significant impact on well-being.

Women with symptoms not relieved by mainstream medical interventions may benefit from having a saliva hormone test. Knowing your hormone levels and how hormones work together may help your clinician find the right hormone solution for you.

COMMON HORMONE CONCERNS:
Interactions between the five hormones of the female panel (see right) are fundamental to health, which means hormone imbalance may negatively impact well-being. The following are some examples of how hormone imbalance can affect health:

WEIGHT GAIN
High levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, can cause unstable blood sugars and may increase sugar cravings. High estrogen levels may interfere with thyroid gland function and result in weight gain. High levels of testosterone and/or DHEAs may be associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome, a condition that makes it difficult to lose weight.

DEPRESSION / DIFFICULTY COPING / IRRITABILITY
Our laboratory data showed that 2 of 3 of women who self-reported depression or difficulty coping and 7 of 10 who reported irritability had at least one hormone out of range. While there is no guarantee that restoring hormone balance will lessen these mood symptoms, many women report some relief from mood disorders when hormone balance is achieved.

SLEEP DISTURBANCES
High or low levels of cortisol may affect sleep, as may low levels of estrogens and progesterone. For some postmenopausal women, difficulty sleeping is directly related to hot flashes and night sweats, which are often signs of hormone imbalance. Once hormone imbalances are addressed, sleep issues may resolve.

HOT FLASHES
Having too little estrogen can be associated with hot flashes, but so can supplementing with too much estrogen. Maintaining the right amount of estrogen is one factor in controlling hot flashes.

BONE LOSS
Testosterone and estradiol help build bone, while high cortisol tends to break down bone. High cortisol not only accelerates bone loss, but also interferes with the bone-building action of testosterone.

BREAST CANCER
A common pattern of hormone imbalance shows up in women with breast cancer: above range estradiol, below range progesterone, above range evening cortisol and out of range DHEAs.

SOME OF THE HORMONES WE ANALYZE IN THIS TEST:

ESTRADIOL
Estradiol is the strongest hormone in the estrogen family, followed by estrone. Estriol is the weakest. The MLHA reports estradiol levels.
Estrogen receptors are found throughout the body including: heart, brain, breast, bone, bladder, blood vessels.
Responsible for female sex characteristics, estrogens also help build the lining of the uterus (endometrium).
PROGESTERONE
Progesterone helps balance the effects of estrogens.
Progesterone is highest in the latter half of cycle because it is released by the corpus luteum, which only forms after ovulation.
CORTISOL
This major stress hormone is released by the adrenal glands.
High or low cortisol levels may indicate poor adrenal function.
DHEAS
DHEA is an adrenal hormone that circulates in blood as DHEA sulfate (DHEAS).
After menopause, estrogen and testosterone are made primarily from DHEA released by the adrenal glands.
TESTOSTERONE
Testosterone helps maintain muscle mass and bone, improves sense of well-being and sex drive.
WHY DO WE USE URINE TO TEST HORMONES?
Urine testing allows us to not only measure the parent hormones, but also to understand the metabolites.  Urine also allows for a much larger profile of hormones to be assessed.  This means we can see the different pathways with which they are being altered into the more healthy or less desirable forms of the parent hormone.  It also gives me much more information on where to direct our therapeutic targets for our patients.
WHAT DO THE RESULTS MEAN?
ESTRADIOL
Low estradiol may be corrected by supplementing with estradiol, although nutritional supplements are generally preferable in pre-menopausal women. For example, phytoestrogens may provide relief from symptoms of low estrogen.

High estradiol occurs when too much is produced or when estradiol is not efficiently eliminated. An enzyme in fat cells promotes the formation of estrogens from adrenal hormones, so weight loss often reduces estrogen levels. It is important to make sure there is enough progesterone to balance the effects of high estradiol.

PROGESTERONE
Low progesterone can be corrected by supplementing with natural progesterone, which is generally very safe and effective. The herb chasteberry may also help normalize progesterone levels. Sometimes low progesterone is associated with low thyroid hormone levels, therefore lab tests for thyroid function may be recommended.

High progesterone when progesterone is not being supplemented is rarely a concern.

TESTOSTERONE
Low testosterone symptoms can sometimes be resolved by adding progesterone or correcting adrenal issues. However, supplementation with testosterone may be necessary in some cases.

High testosterone is associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome and insulin resistance. Further testing or treatment may be necessary.

CORTISOL
Low cortisol strongly suggests adrenal issues, which may require further testing or interventions by your healthcare professional.

High cortisol levels are associated with conditions including: bone loss, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, weight gain, memory impairment, immune system suppression, and interfering with the action of other hormones. Lifestyle changes as well as supplements may be recommended.

CHI testing
Comprehensive Hormone Insights™ (CHI) measures important hormones and hormone conjugates that allow evaluation of metabolized hormones, insight into hormone stores, and a view into liver function. CHI also includes many clinically meaningful cortisol measures including those that may inform on cortisol awakening response, recovery and repair and cortisol conjugation pattern. CHI also includes 17-OH-pregnenolone, an important precursor steroid, along with clinically relevant estrogen ratios that provide insights into breast cancer risk and estrogen metabolism.

Book your consultation with Dr Joe and get started on your return to optimal health.