Hormone Tests
Testing hormone levels
Hormone tests can provide an indication whether the hormone levels in your body are in the proper predicted ranges and whether the hormones can do their job without hindrance. Hormones are messengers for our body. They move around the blood passing chemically encoded information from one part of the body to another. Depending on the hormone, this transfer of information may vary in duration, from a few seconds to several hours. When they reach their target, hormones usually trigger a complex chain of reactions. This means that they are involved in numerous processes within the body.
Glands in certain organs produce these hormones. Epinephrine and cortisol are produced in the adrenal glands, the sleep hormone melatonin in the pineal gland in the brain, the “happiness” hormone serotonin in the intestine and in nerve cells, while the sex hormones oestrogen or testosterone are produced mainly in the ovaries or testes. You can measure the level of these hormones using cerascreen® hormone tests.
When hormone levels get messed up
Is when the concentration of hormones within the body become derailed. If a hormone deficiency or excessoccurs, it can entail serious health effects. The symptoms that accompany this are diverse and not always easy to interpret.
As one example, chronic stress can permanently increase levels of cortisol, which increases the risk of osteoporosis and is also thought to be associated with depression. If the level of the sleep hormone melatonin becomes too high or too low, it can lead to insomnia and a lack of sleep. If the concentration of the “happiness” hormone serotonin is too low, lethargy, fatigue and depressed moods become more prevalent.
Even the sex hormones can fluctuate considerably. If the oestrogen levels in women drop too much already before menopause, menstrual periods will cease early and, in the worst cases, infertility will result. A testosterone deficiency can, among other things, lead to reduced muscle strength and physical performance as well as erectile dysfunction. An excess of testosterone on the other hand can manifest itself in women with a lower voice, a decreased sex drive and disorders in the menstrual cycle, while in men it can lead to impotence, hair loss and flatulence.
Hormonal tests - measuring hormone levels
Since the symptoms of derailed hormone levels are often unclear, it may be worthwhile to test the values. Too high or too low hormone levels are also often signs of diseases or unhealthy habits that you can act against.
Using the cerascreen® self-tests you can determine the levels of the hormones cortisol, melatonin, serotonin, oestrogen and testosterone. To do this, take one or a few single saliva or urine samples and send them to our specialist laboratory. You will then receive a detailed results report containing measurements and tips on how to bring the level of each hormone back on track. As one example, melatonin fluctuations can be counteracted with supplements or light therapy, too little oestrogen with a change in diet, and excessive cortisol levels with stress management and relaxation techniques.