Hormone Testing
Key to Better Health
If you have tried to understand changes in your health, or perhaps even treated your symptoms in ways that don’t seem to work, testing your hormones may be an important next step.
Everyday decisions have impact
Hormone balance starts with the everyday decisions we make. Lifestyle, nutrition and supplementation impact that balance – as well as our overall health. Symptoms resulting from hormonal shifts in our bodies can be felt strongly – leading us to feel physically or mentally out of balance.
Delicate balancing act
Hormones exist in harmony with each other – partners in a delicate balancing act.
When levels are in balance, body systems are stable. When levels fall out of balance, normal function is disrupted, leading to chronic symptoms, disorders and disease.
Active in cells throughout the body, hormones govern key facets of our health such as moods, memory, energy, sleep, libido, and fertility. They not only regulate our immune system and response to stress, but help maintain bone and muscle mass, too.
Symptoms that may signify an imbalance include:
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Sleep disturbances
- Irregular cycles (women)
- Mood swings/irritability
- Decreased urinary flow/increased urge (men)
- Headaches
- Thinning hair
- Depression
- Foggy thinking
- Loss of libido (sex drive)
A woman’s first symptoms of menopause may include:
- Irregular cycles
- Headaches
- Heavy or light periods
- Changes to menstrual cycle length
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
Testing and monitoring hormone levels enable women to work with their pharmacist to find appropriate solutions that alleviate menopause symptoms and lead to hormonal wellness.
Menopause in women
When hormone levels begin dropping in menopause, a deficiency of one hormone can actually appear as a relative excess of another, resulting in symptoms of hormone imbalance.
The start of menopause typically occurs around the age of 50, but it’s not uncommon to see symptoms much sooner – even as early as mid to late 30’s depending on stress levels, diet and exercise. Menopause can also be surgically induced through hysterectomy (removal of the ovaries and/or uterus), radiation or chemotherapy.
Andropause in men
The natural decline of testosterone in men contributes to weight gain, muscle weakness, lean muscle loss, depression, bone loss, sexual dysfunction and other symptoms associated with andropause – also called male menopause.
In contrast to the “roller coaster” effect so common to women in menopause, the symptoms of andropause appear gradually and can be much less obvious.
Along with natural aging, factors such as excessive stress, weight gain and lack of exercise can further lower testosterone – impacting stamina, drive and virility.
Symptoms of andropause may include:
- Weight gain
- Muscle weakness
- Lean muscle loss
- Depression
- Bone loss
- Sexual dysfunction
Through hormone testing and the aid of a qualified pharmacist, men can diminish the effects of andropause and return to youthful vigor.
Testings takes the guesswork out of treatment - making it possible to tailor a program just for you.
Importance of testing
Comprehensive baseline testing gives an in-depth picture of your hormone levels. Testings reveals your individual level of hormone production and pinpoints imbalances, and also shows where you stand in comparison to healthy averages for your age group and gender.
These test results, combined with an assessment of any additional symptoms you may be experiencing, provide a detailed picture of how hormone imbalance is affecting your life and well-being. After testing, we will be able to create an individualized treatment program.
Hormone Testing Appointment
Visit us for further questions about hormone testing or schedule an appointment.
