There is much discussion and hype over HGH [Human Growth Hormone], HRT [Hormone Replacement Therapy] and the aging process. What is more important is whether you require additional hormone balancing or if your concerns in the first place might lay elsewhere. Generally, a person does not quite feel right, perhaps a lack of energy or other symptom like loss of libido or both. What is most important is to involve your physician with your suspicions.
The current method for evaluating hormone levels is via a blood test. The test will calculate the amount of hormones that are protein bound. Biologically active hormones are not bound in the blood proteins. One might ask why we test blood if this merely measures hormones bound in protein and biological busy hormones are not in the blood protein, why bother to test for active hormone levels? Saliva testing for hormones provides a more precise alternate method to blood tests and been accepted as standard by the World Health Organization [WHO] for more than five years.
Testing the saliva is quicker and less costly, less invasive than blood tests and a more reliable means of testing for hormonal levels by your physician in order to determine deficiencies. Saliva test kits ask for a minimum of two hormones get tested and will allow for additional examinations to be done. Five hormones are usually optimal, those being: progesterone, estradiol, DHEA, testosterone/androgens and cortisol in women. Men would test for testosterone and estrogen levels.
The timing of your saliva hormone test is important. When women are menstruating, the test should occur in the luteal phase or the latter half of the cycle. During a normal 28 day cycle, this would normally be the week before the period starts or about day nineteen to twenty one of a cycle when day one of the cycle is the first day of your period. For men and women who are post menopausal who are not taking hormones can test at any point of the month. Women receiving hormones should evaluate nearer to the end of their treatment phase.
If you have been supplementing with non-protein bound biological hormones it might actually require several weeks for any result on a blood test. Saliva hormone testing can document changes as they are occurring. For instance, a saliva hormone test can determine changes to levels of progesterone inside of hours of utilizing transdermal innate progesterone.
The cost of a hormone test via your saliva is relatively inexpensive, usually around thirty dollars per hormone tested. Tests can be done through the mail in your home or at the physician’s office or medical lab. Test results are available quickly by return mail or ASAP from the physician.
Testing Hormones Using Saliva
Prior testing for hormone balance has been done with blood tests that calculate the amount of blood serum or blood plasma count in the hormones. The tests were a bit unreliable since there was no indication of active biological hormone levels. Testing hormones via saliva is much more rapid and far more reliable approach for physicians to take when determining your hormone deficiencies.
Protein bound progesterone is readily more soluble in watery blood content. While it is protein bound, just a portion of the hormone remains active. This is the same for estrogen, testosterone and corticosteroids. This is why blood serum concentration elements of these hormones do not accurately evaluate the active hormone amounts in the body since it bypasses the bigger quantity riding on red blood cell membranes.
Blood tests evaluate protein bound hormones. Those hormones Transdermally absorbed such as progesterone is not protein bound but indeed are biologically active. It is flowing in the bloodstream upon the red blood cells membranes and further fat soluble elements in the blood. Blood tests are just not very reliable for testing progesterone levels. The much better alternative would be bioavailable progesterone [among the other steroid hormones] is by using the saliva process essay. The WHO has had great results with saliva testing for hormones and they are the medical yard stick.
Symptoms – Women
• PMS, Insomnia, Early miscarriage, Painful and perhaps lumpy breasts, baffling weight gain, recurring headaches, nervousness, Infertility, Vaginal aridness, Nocturnal sweats, soreness during intercourse, Memory troubles, Bladder infections, Lethargic depression, Hot flashes, distension and bloat, Cervical dysplasia [abnormal pap smear], speedy weight gain, Breast tenderness, Mood fluctuations, Heavy bleeding, nervous depression, Migraine headaches, Insomnia, cloudy thinking, Red facial flushing, Gallbladder problems, Weepiness, Acne, Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), undue hair on the face and arms, Hypoglycemia and/or unbalanced blood sugar, lessening of hair on the head, Infertility, Ovarian cysts, Mid-cycle pain
Any of these symptoms occurring, or a combination of them at once, can mean a hormone imbalance and should be looked into. If you only have singular symptoms, your doctor should still be advised of the problem and you could suggest a saliva test for potential hormone imbalance. Often physicians will not consider the possibility of a hormone deficiency as a primary problem and order a full blood work and include hormone testing. This could lead to inaccurate results for a possible problem. Discussing the possibility in advance and requesting a saliva test will ensure accurate results specifically if hormones are the cause of your symptoms.
Symptoms Men
• Weight loss, Enlarged breasts, Loss of muscle, Lower stamina, Lower sex drive, Softer erections, Fatigue, Gallbladder problems, Hair loss, Headaches, Prostate enlargement, Breast enlargement, Irritability, Weight gain, Puffiness/bloating
As with women’s symptoms, the hormone imbalance in men could occur as a result of one or more symptoms appearing at a time. Discuss with your physician what your symptoms are and request a saliva test over a blood test, specifically for hormone results. You should always talk to a qualified health care professional if you are concerned about a medical problem or potential health issue.
Health maladies mount as we age; it is a fact of life. A hormone imbalance is the type of condition that may garner only a secondary level of attention if not seriously discussed as a potential problem with your doctor. If you have never received a hormone test before, or specifically had a hormonal saliva test, you should ask for the full testing of all hormones when you do get tested. If you indeed have a hormone imbalance your physician can usually treat the problem fairly simply by changes to diet and exercise or Hormone replacement therapies depending on which hormone is out of balance.
Previous sufferers of hormone deficiencies find the reversal of the condition a remarkable relief, likening the result as a return of youthful vitality and exuberance.
Tue, Jan 12, 2010
Anti Aging, Anti Aging Supplements, Bioscience, Longevity