What does Male Hormone Profile test check?

 

E2
DHEA-S
Progesterone
Testosterone

 

Importance of Hormone TestingHormonal imbalances have been linked to a broad spectrum of health conditions and clinical symptoms in both men and women.  As science has shown, hormones decline and change as we age.  Identifying and managing such changes is critical in the prevention of many chronic diseases.  Measuring critical hormone levels and interpreting the results can help explain symptoms and accurately recommend proper treatment.  This makes hormone testing an essential element of every annual check-up and disease-prevention program.

Testosterone

Though testosterone is primarily thought of as a male hormone, this steroid hormone is very important for women’s health.  Testosterone plays a role in the proper functioning of sex drive, lean muscle mass and strength, bone health, mood, cardiac health, and blood production.  For perimenopausal or menopausal women, testosterone is becoming a common part of hormone replacement therapies.  Evaluation of testosterone levels is rapidly becoming a standard part of female hormone evaluation by physicians around the world.  In men, low testosterone levels have been linked to decreased sex drive, impotence, infertility, abnormal breast enlargement, fatigue depression, lowered motivation, irritability, weight gain, and decreased muscle mass and strength.  Testosterone levels in men reach their peak by age 20-30, and decline with each passing decade.  Low testosterone has also been implicated in decreasing body hair, shrinking of testes and prostate, increased risk for osteoporosis in men, anemia, and thinning of skin with increased wrinkled development.  Excess testosterone and its enzymatic conversion to DHT (dihydrotestosterone) may be a concern when there is a prostate cancer present.
Low Testosterone Effects:
• Bone Loss• Decreased motivation• Depression and similar mood disorders• Erectile dysfunction (ED)• Fatigue• General aches and pains• Lack of well-being• Loss of muscle tone• Lower-than-normal libido• Obesity, especially abdominal gut• Thinning skin, especially notable around face
Elevated Testosterone Effects:
• Acne• Changes to voice• Insomnia• Irritability• Moodiness• Loss of scalp hair

Estrogen

Estrogen hormones are essential to health and have a significant role in the body. These powerful molecules have wide reaching affects and are a strong factor in female sexual development, cardiovascular and skeletal health and the nervous system. Estrogen testing determines the specific level of each estrogen which will help to prevent deficiency or excess, ensuring an optimal and balanced estrogen hormone level. The symptoms resulting from estrogen deficiency include hot flashes, irregular menstruation, mood changes and vaginal dryness. In contrast with estrogen deficiency, an excess production of estrogen may be associated with migraines, breast tenderness, heavy menstrual periods, water retention and hormone-related cancers.
Low Estrogen Effects:
• Anxiety• Bone loss (Recommend biennial bone scans)• Depression• Dry skin• Fatigue• Headaches• Heart palpitations• Hot flashes (often extremely irritating)• Insomnia• Irregular menses (often heavy)• Joint and muscle pains (soft tissue pain syndromes)• Low libido• Memory challenges• Mood swings• Unpleasant and sometimes painful intercourse, often associated with severe vaginal dryness
Elevated Estrogen Effects:
• Autoimmune disease• Breast swelling and associated tenderness• Depression, with anxiety or agitation• Edema• Fatigue• Food cravings, especially sugars and fats• Hypoglycemic episodes• Hypothyroidism• Insomnia• Migraines• Weight gain• Blood clotting• Breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancer• Cervical dysplasia• Fibrocystic breasts• Gall bladder disease• Progesterone-deficient conditions• Uterine fibroids

Progesterone

Progesterone is the other important female hormone.  Like estradiol, it is responsible for a normal monthly cycle, and is also important for the health of bone, blood vessels, heart, brain, skin and many other organs.  In recent years, we have come to appreciate how important it is to consider this hormone in the treatment of menopausal symptoms, pre-menstrual syndrome and infertility.  Progesterone, like estradiol, plays an important role in mood, blood sugar balance, sex drive and thyroid function, as well as adrenal gland health.  Peri and post-menopausal women may monitor the decreasing levels of this hormone that occur with aging and menopause.  Cycling women experiencing PMS symptoms that may be due to a hormonal imbalance may also monitor progesterone. Progesterone has important functions in men as well.  Though considered to be a hormone exclusively in women, progesterone is a precursor for most other hormones important for male health including testosterone, DHEA and cortisol, and even the small amount of estradiol men have.  In men, progesterone plays an important role in adrenal gland health, as well as being an important consideration for the health of other hormones.
Low Progsterone Effects:
• Acne• Anxiety• Breast tenderness• Depression, especially post-natal• Hot flashes• Insomnia• Joint and muscle pain• Low libido• Migraines• Mood swings• Night sweats• PMS – Pre-Menstrual Symptoms• Weight gainIncreased Risk• Breast disease• Infertility• Miscarriages• Osteopenia and osteoporosis• Polycystic ovarian syndrome• Vulvar dystrophy
Elevated Progesterone Effects:
• Breast swelling• Candida exacerbations• Depression (mild)• Drowsiness• Estrogen deficiency symptoms• GI bloating• Inflammation• Insulin resistance• Stress

 
 

CortisolCortisol is a very important hormone that is secreted by the adrenal glands.  This hormone affects the activity of other hormones such as insulin, thyroid hormones and DHEA.  Cortisol is involved in balancing blood sugar (glucose), in protein synthesis, in immune system response and in REM sleep.  It also effects bone turnover rate and thyroid function.  External stress or disease processes may disrupt normal function of the adrenal gland.  Cortisol levels may be decreased, or may be elevated due to stress. Abnormal cortisol levels have been noted in chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, depression, anorexia nervosa, panic disorders, and many chronic illnesses. In women, normal adrenal and ovarian function is very important for female health, abnormal cortisol levels may play a role in PMS, infertility, menopause or other female disorders. In men, abnormal cortisol levels have been noted in chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, depression, impotence, anorexia nervosa, panic disorders, and many chronic illnesses.

Low Cortisol Effects:
• Risk of Fatigue• Inflammation• Allergy Symptoms• Hypoglycemia• Hypotension
Elevated Cortisol Effects:
• Abdominal weight gain• Increasing loss of memory• Insulin resistance• Type 2 diabetes• Compromised immune function• Bone loss• Skin Conditions

 

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.