Baseline Hormone Profiles - Male & Female
The Baseline Hormone Profile provides valuable information on an individual's hormonal status and the potential impact this may have on physical and emotional health. Hormonal imbalance may result in a symptom picture which includes weight gain, mood swings, night sweats, disturbed sleep pattern, loss of libido and hot flushes.
Salivary Hormone testing is unique in that it helps identify the hormonal imbalances which may be causing chronic health problems. Results obtained from the test make it possible for practitioners to individualise treatment in order to establish optimal hormone balance. Testing can also be used to monitor the effects of bio-identical/natural hormone replacement therapy.
The Baseline Hormone Profile is a non-invasive test which requires the collection of one saliva specimen, from which multiple hormones are tested.
2 & 16 Urinary Oestrogen Metabolites
This test monitors oestrogen metabolism in men and women, which may be of great importance in determining those patients at high risk of hormone imbalance.
High levels of circulating oestrogens are proliferative and potentially dangerous, so it is important that they are broken down efficiently and effectively removed from the body.
A low ratio indicates a state of oestrogen excess which may be a contributing factor to oestrogen-dependant cancers, such as those of the breast, head/neck and the prostate. A high ratio indicates an oestrogen deficient state which may indicate an increased risk of osteoporosis.
Melatonin Profile
Melatonin is a neuropeptide predominantly produced by the pineal gland. Melatonin is secreted in a distinct circadian rhythm - stimulated by darkness, inhibited by light and independent of sleep. The phase of the circadian rhythm is influenced by day length (increasing in amplitude in the winter and decreasing in spring) or artificial light.
The levels of melatonin in the body tend to decrease with age and low levels may result in sleep disturbances such as insomnia, poor immune function, depression and other mood disorders.
Due to its circadian rhythm, melatonin must be collected at midnight in the dark and again on rising (0600-0800).
Blood Hormone Testing | Profiles
Female hormones commonly tested in blood are LH, FSH, oestradiol, progesterone, testosterone, PL, DHEA and Cortisol.
Male hormones are LH, Testosterone, Oestradiol.
Thyroid hormone profile is Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) which is NOT produced by the thyroid gland. It is a regulatory hormone produced by the pituiatary gland to activate the thyroid gland to produce Thyroxine (T4) and Triodothyoniel (T3).
Approximately 80% of the thyroid gland hormone production is in the form of T4, which is converted to T3 in the liver. For example underactive thyroid glands produce less T4 than T3, whilst overactive thyroid glands produce more.
Uncommonly, Reverse T3 (RT3) is measured. RT3 is an inactive hormone which is made in higher amounts under the influence of increased stress biochemistry (i.e., cortisol and adrenaline).
RT3 is a competitive hormone with T3, seeking the same receptors for its action.
A RT3/T3 ratio may be helpful to assess thyroid status and follow treatment plans.
RT3 is a normal thyroid hormone, just like T4 and T3, "It is all about balance".