Hormones, which are chemical messengers, act on different aspects of bodily functions and processes, therefore we need to test for the full hormone cascade instead of just a part of the whole. Each hormone plays a vital role in many biological systems.
Clinical applications of Hormones:
- Energy levels
- Cardiovascular health
- Neurological
- Mental health
- Immune response
- Metabolism
- Bone density
- Physical appearance
Different hormones tested:
- Comprehensive Cortisol Panel
- ACTH
- Pregnenolone
- DHEA-Sulfate
- Total,Free,&Weakly Bound Testosterone
- Androstenedione
- Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
- Progesterone
- Estradiol Total & Free
- Estrone
- Estriol
- Sex Hormone Binding Globulin
- IGF-1 & IGF-BP3
- TSH
- Free T3
- Free T4
- Reverse T3
- Thyroid Antibodies
- N-Telopeptide
- Osteocalcin
- FSH & LH
Although there is controversy over the ideal type of testing (including blood, saliva, urine, breath, and stool), blood testing has been the gold standard in clinical medical practice for many years.
Urine testing (twenty-four hour collection), although more difficult to obtain patient compliance with, is also clinically useful and offers a more detailed evaluation of individual basal metabolic and hormonal breakdown products.
Additionally, in specific instances, salivary cortisol testing can provide data points throughout the day and possible meaningful information regarding the diurnal pattern of cortisol release. This information would be useful, however there are problems with the possible cross contamination of the saliva in the mouth from bleeding gums, smoking or chewing tobacco, and food particulates left over from previous meals.
In our experience, salivary assessment of other hormones have not been that accurate or useful for practical patient management.
