A hormonal test assesses the levels of hormones, including estrogen, testosterone, thyroid, and cortisol in men and women ages 30 and up. A decrease in hormonal levels can lead to emotional mental disorders and physical changes, if untreated by a medical professional specializing in hormonal treatments. The most common symptoms in both genders are weight gain, sudden weight loss, anxiety, sweating, infertility, nervousness, blurred vision, joint pain, and decreased sex drive. If you are experiencing any of those systems, there are tests performed by licensed physicians to check levels and create an effective hormone treatment plan.

Research suggests some causes of hormonal imbalance in both genders include eating disorders, diabetes, hormone therapy, stress, tumors, and injury/trauma. In women, the cause may be pregnancy, birth control pills, premature menopause, breastfeeding, and ovarian deficiency. If you are on a hormonal therapy program and the treatment plan is ineffective, consider another alternative for treatment. Holistic care plus effective treatments can be the answer, if you change your lifestyle by incorporating a balanced diet and exercise, such as yoga. Many people believe performing yoga exercises help to balance hormone levels and is good for overall health.

The generic method of replacing hormone may increase your risk of breast cancer, heart attack, blood clots, and stroke. An alternative is a personalized hormone replacement therapy program offered by a specialized hormone medical professional. The program has structural services for holistic pain relief, vitamin deficiency, and hormonal replacement treatments. You should avoid the generic therapies for replacing estrogen and progestin. Inform your doctor of any medical conditions, such as prior surgeries, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes.

Before starting on a hormonal replacement program, you must make lifestyle changes. The first suggestion is to lose 10 percent of body weight, if you are overweight. Women may see an improvement in menstrual regularity and increase their chances of getting pregnant, if they are experiencing problems with fertility. Men may experience improved function of the male reproductive counterparts and rebuild muscle mass. Try to include green vegetables, fruits, olive oil, whole grains, and organic meats to your wholesome meals for a daily, well-balanced diet.

Four Types of Hormonal Tests

• Blood or Serum Test
• Saliva Test
• Follicle Stimulation Hormone Test
• Urine Test

Blood/serum, saliva, follicle stimulation hormone, and urine are the four tests on the market and commonly used to check hormonal levels. The blood and serum test requires the drawing of blood from the arm or pricking the finger. Both tests define a broad range of hormones. Serum is in the blood and used for measuring levels of hormones. Finger pricking is a blood spot test requiring drops of blood onto a filter card in multiple spots. The blood spots have to dry and then re-hydrate for accurate testing.

A saliva test is the most accurate measurement of hormones in the body. It identifies the levels of testosterone, progesterone, DHEA, cortisol, and estrogen hormones. Doctors do not recommend this test for women who are taking hormones in drops and spray forms. Labs can measure hormonal levels at a cellular level.

Follicle-stimulating hormone testing is a serum type hormone test used for determining the status of hormonal levels of postmenopausal women. They normally complain of hot flashes, changes in mood, and other symptoms. The requirement differs from the serum test and requires the draw of blood three times at 60-minute interval. Your doctor will most likely start the process early in the morning, preferably at 8:00 AM. Medical physicians don’t recommend using the test to measure sex steroid hormone reproduction for women or men.

Urine testing involves the collection of multiple samples at different times of the day. You can collect the specimen in the privacy of your home and provide it to your specialized hormone physician, when you complete the sample collection. The test measures free hormones similar to the saliva testing. This test checks the levels of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, and melatonin. The urine test offers a better insight into your overall hormonal health by evaluating the hormonal fluctuation in one day.

Hormonal imbalance affects millions of women and men over 30. The hormone condition goes unrecognized and untreated because adults younger than 40 may associate the symptoms to something unrelated to hormonal imbalance. There is a safe and effective hormone replacement therapy method personalized to meet your needs. Call (205) 352-9141 today, to schedule an appointment with a hormonal replacement specialist for a healthier and improved you.