Which hormones need testing?

Your body's hormonal system operates like a finely tuned orchestra, with each hormone playing a crucial role in your overall wellbeing. The key performers in this delicate balance are the sex hormones—oestradiol, progesterone, and testosterone—working alongside thyroid hormones and the adrenal hormones, DHEA and cortisol.

By understanding the levels and patterns of these six essential hormones, we can create a precise map of your hormonal landscape. This detailed insight allows us to develop a personalised treatment approach, precisely targeted to your unique needs, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.

Oestrogen

Your body produces three distinct forms of oestrogen—oestrone, oestradiol, and oestriol—each playing vital roles in maintaining your health and vitality. These powerful hormones are essential guardians of your reproductive system, breast health, skin resilience, and cognitive function.

Finding Your Optimal Balance:

Too Little Oestrogen May Lead To:

• Hot flushes
• Vaginal dryness
• Accelerated skin aging
• Urinary concerns
• Increased bone loss
• Potential cognitive decline

Excess Oestrogen May Cause:

• Fluid retention
• Unexplained weight gain
• Migraine headaches
• Over-stimulation of reproductive tissues
• Breast tenderness
• Fibroids

When to Test: If you have a cyle, test oestrogen levels on day 2 or 3 of your menstrual cycle, alongside FSH and LH. NB. Day 1 of your cycle is your first day of bleeding, not spotting.

Progesterone

Often called your 'happy hormone', progesterone plays a vital role in maintaining both physical and emotional balance. This powerful hormone acts as a natural protector, helping safeguard against breast and prostate cancers while supporting bone density and preventing osteoporosis.

Progesterone works as oestrogen's perfect partner, enhancing its beneficial effects while preventing the symptoms of excess oestrogen. It's nature's balancing act in hormone harmony.

When progesterone levels fall too low, you might experience:

• Mood changes, including depression and irritability
• Increased inflammation
• Irregular menstrual cycles
• Breast tenderness
• Frequent urination
• In men, prostate gland enlargement (BPH)

Understanding your progesterone levels is crucial for maintaining optimal hormone balance and overall wellbeing. Together with other hormone testing, it helps us create your personalised path to hormonal harmony.

When to Test: For the most accurate results, test progesterone levels approximately 7 days before your expected period.

Testosterone

Testosterone is an anabolic hormone (builds tissue) that is essential for men and women.. The proper level of testosterone is necessary for bone health density, muscle strength, stamina, lean body mass, libido, cardiovascular health, skin elasticity. Testosterone helps maintenance of lean body mass, bone density, skin elasticity, libido and cardiovascular health in both sexes. Women have smaller amounts of testosterone compared to men.

DHEA

DHEA is a precursor to other hormones, mainly testosterone. DHEA levels decline with age and research suggests that DHEA may help restore energy, improve immune status and mental function. DHEA is the principal androgen in both men and women.

It is an important adrenal gland hormone, which is essential for energy production and blood sugar balance.

Cortisol

Another adrenal hormone which ideally will be  highest in the morning and lowest at night. It is necessary for energy production, blood sugar metabolism, anti-inflammatory effects and stress response. Cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands in response to stressors such as emotional, mental and physical stress. Cortisol mobilises the body’s immune response against viral and/or bacterial infections and inflammation in body. Chronic elevated cortisol levels will suppress the action of the immune system leaving the individual more susceptible to infections.

Melatonin

Another important hormone, Melatonin, is predominantly produced by the pineal gland, with smaller amounts in the retina and gastrointestinal tract. Melatonin is secreted with a distinct circadian rhythm – stimulated by darkness, inhibited by light and independent of sleep. The phase of the diurnal rhythm is influenced by day length (increasing in amplitude in the winter and decreasing in spring or artificial light).

Thyroid Function Testing

TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) TSH is produced by the pituitary gland and acts as the master controller of thyroid function. It signals the thyroid to produce more or less hormones as needed. High TSH often indicates an underactive thyroid, as your body is trying to stimulate more thyroid hormone production. Low TSH typically suggests an overactive thyroid, as your body is attempting to reduce thyroid hormone production.

T4 (Thyroxine) T4 is the primary hormone produced by the thyroid gland, acting as a precursor to T3. It's produced in larger quantities but must be converted to T3 to be fully active. Optimal T4 levels are crucial for metabolism, energy production, and temperature regulation. Too much T4 can lead to anxiety, weight loss, and heart palpitations, while too little can cause fatigue, weight gain, and depression.

T3 (Triiodothyronine) T3 is the most active form of thyroid hormone, vital for cellular energy, metabolism, and mental clarity. It affects nearly every cell in your body, influencing heart rate, body temperature, and brain function. Low T3 can cause sluggish metabolism, brain fog, and cold intolerance, while excessive T3 may result in nervousness, insomnia, and unexplained weight loss.

Thyroid Antibodies These indicate autoimmune thyroid conditions like Hashimoto's or Graves' disease. When present, they show your immune system is attacking your thyroid gland. Testing for antibodies is crucial for early detection and management of thyroid disorders, often revealing problems before conventional thyroid tests become abnormal. Early intervention can help preserve thyroid function and prevent the progression of autoimmune damage.