Balancing Act: Test Your Hormone Levels

The reproductive hormones follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are produced by the brain and control the production and release of hormones, including testosterone and estrogen. This test is especially important to aging men and women.

This blood test measures the sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). Low SHBG may lead to ovarian cysts, diabetes and hypothyroidism, while high SHBG may be associated with hyperthyroidism and anorexia. High SHBG levels may also be linked to breast and testicular cancers.

Most of the body’s circulating testosterone is bound by sex-hormone binding globulin or albumin, leaving only a fraction free. Our test measures total testosterone, as well as free (unbound) levels of this critical hormone.

This test can identify elevated dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels, which have been associated with male pattern hair loss, acne and prostate enlargement.

This blood test measures estradiol, the most abundant form of the hormone estrogen produced by women and men (in lower quantities). Aging can impact this hormone, which affects bone health, heart health, nerves and metabolism.

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1, a.k.a. somatomedin C) is a marker of growth hormone (GH) secretion. Due to GH’s short half-life in the body, blood testing for IGF-1 is a more reliable indicator of GH levels than testing for GH itself.

This test measures prolactin levels to help evaluate for tumors of the lungs, the pituitary gland and the kidneys, as well as sexual dysfunction.

Estrone is one of three major estrogen hormones and when elevated has been associated with some chronic diseases. Blood testing for estrone should be considered by women using replacement hormones for further evaluation.

The Hormone and Urinary Metabolites Assessment Profile (HuMap) provides a comprehensive overview of hormones and their metabolites, as well as efficiency of enzymes involved in their metabolism.

Pregnenolone is important for proper brain development and a healthy hormone balance. Testing for blood levels of this hormone can help monitor if you are deficient and provide guidance if you decide to supplement.

This hormone test checks your levels of DHEA sulfate, and is more stable than testing just for DHEA. Knowing your levels of DHEA-S will help you and your doctor design a supplementation regimen, hormone replacement therapy treatment, and also help assess other health factors such as risk for cardiovascular disease and more.

Progesterone, a hormone with multiple health benefits, can become unbalanced in both men and women as they age.

Estradiol is the most abundant form of the hormone estrogen produced by women and (to a lesser degree) men. The liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry blood test is a more sensitive method of testing for estradiol than standard methodology.

Leptin is the gatekeeper of fat metabolism, monitoring how much energy a person takes in. Higher levels signal satiety and low levels signal hunger. The leptin blood test provides information concerning the level of leptin circulating in the body.

Testosterone is a steroid hormone from the androgen group primarily secreted in the testes of males and the ovaries of females with small amounts also secreted by the adrenal glands. This testosterone test uses special methodology to help quantify very low (and very high) testosterone values.

This test measures the total estrogen hormones in the blood and is considered a more consistent test than measuring individual estrogen hormones.