Benefits of hormone testing and when to get one

Hormones are regulatory substances produced by the body’s endocrine glands to control and regulate the activity of specific cells and organs. The body produces and synthesizes different hormones to pass messages across the body and keep it healthy. We have more than 40 hormones that perform unique tasks to keep our bodies healthy and strong. Typical examples of these hormones are:

• Insulin – for regulating blood sugar levels
• Parathyroid – for boosting blood calcium concentrations when calcium ion dips below normal
• Testosterone – which helps with reproduction and sexual activity in male and female
• Estrogen – is present in males and females. In women, it helps with ovulation, breast development, menstruation, and bone and cartilage density. In men, it helps with erection and spermatogenesis.

Others include Progesterone, Cortisol, Adrenaline, etc.

Is your condition due to hormonal imbalance?

Whenever people experience health issues, it’s not uncommon for them to link their conditions to hormonal imbalance, even when it’s just a headache, stomach ache, cold, or other common illnesses. Some individuals even get advised to do a hormone test to determine if their hormone levels are balanced or not.

Although hormonal imbalance can indeed cause different illnesses, depending on the specific hormone you’re lacking or producing in excess. However, hormones aren’t always the cause of health issues. So, not all symptoms require hormone testing.

Due to this, it’s essential to speak with a medical specialist before considering doing a hormone test so you can be sure that you’re a candidate for the test. Your specialist will ask a couple of questions about your symptoms to get a clear understanding and decide on the most practical solutions.

Some common symptoms of hormonal imbalance include:

·         sudden weight gain or loss

·         irregular menstrual cycle

·         infertility

·         acne

·         a hump of fat between the shoulders

·         fatigue and muscle weakness

·         hair loss, thinning or brittle hair

·         pain, stiffness, or swelling in your joints

·         increased or decreased heart rate

·         hot flashes and increased night sweats

·         increased sensitivity to cold or heat

·         constipation or more frequent bowel movements

·         increased thirst and hunger

·         decreased sex drive or a lack of sexual desire

·         depression, nervousness, and anxiety

Hormone testing can bring rest in a time of uncertainty

Hormone testing can become more critical when you’re experiencing one or more of the above symptoms. The test offers you various benefits as you gain a clear picture of the cause of your symptoms and the appropriate treatment.

Hormone testing can help couples diagnose conditions like infertility, menopause, thyroid, stress, testosterone, and more. Couples that are yet to conceive may become frustrated after using different kinds of infertility medications without seeing any positive results. They often do everything else but check hormone levels to determine if their reproductive systems are in good condition.

The test typically concentrates on checking:

·         anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH)

·         follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

·         estradiol

·         free thyroxine (fT4)

·         luteinizing hormone (LH)

·         prolactin

·         thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

Each of these hormones plays a vital role in boosting fertility, and a problem with one of them can make a person infertile. Although some people feel uncomfortable being seen performing infertility tests, visiting a private, confidential blood testing service can help you test your hormones and diagnose your condition while maintaining privacy and confidentiality.

How the test is done

A hormone test is done by taking a sample of your blood to the laboratory since most hormones can be found in the blood. These substances travel through the bloodstream to their respective organs or tissues, where they perform their designated duties. When the blood is separated, hormones are found in the plasma alongside other substances like proteins. You can consider getting the test done from a Simpsonville Pharmacy (or a pharmacy in your local area) to evaluate any hormonal imbalances that might be affecting your health.

Depending on the hormone you’re testing for, you may need to put the body in specific conditions to check effectively, such as when fasting or during specific times of the day or month. The complete thyroid panel is the most common blood hormone test that can detect most hormones.

The test measures the quantity of thyroid-stimulating hormone TSH, Free T3, Free T4, T3 Uptake, T4, T7, T3 Total, and Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody.

A hormone test when you’re unsure

Hormone testing – no matter whether it’s an in-house or at home hormone test – gives great insight into your health issues and can help you find the solution on time. It’s essential to work with a medical specialist before going for a hormone test because not all health issues are due to hormonal imbalances. Plus, sticking with the condition of the test is essential, such as when you are instructed not to take any meal for a specific number of hours before coming for your test.

The bottom line

Many things occur in the human body, and not everything goes as it should at all times. Sometimes, certain hormones may get deficient and your system wouldn’t function as it should. When you don’t feel like yourself, it could be due to hormonal imbalance, and a hormone test can help you ascertain what the issue is.