What is the purpose of this test?
The Hormone #1 Baseline Blood Test Panel for Women measures hormone levels in a woman's body. This panel includes tests for estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, progesterone, and testosterone. These hormones play a critical role in regulating a woman's reproductive system, as well as other bodily functions. By measuring the levels of these hormones, doctors can gain insight into a woman's overall health and diagnose any hormone-related conditions.
The Hormone #1 Baseline Blood Test Panel, Women, includes:
Estradiol - Estradiol is a type of estrogen hormone that is produced by the ovaries in women. It plays an important role in regulating the menstrual cycle and maintaining bone density. During menopause, the levels of estradiol decrease, which can lead to symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and mood changes. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be used to help balance the levels of estradiol and other hormones in menopausal women.
Progesterone - Progesterone is a hormone that is primarily produced by the ovaries in women. It plays a crucial role in menstrual cycle regulation and pregnancy. In menopausal women, progesterone levels tend to decrease, which can cause an imbalance in hormones. This imbalance can lead to symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and vaginal dryness. Progesterone therapy can help restore hormone balance in menopausal women and alleviate these symptoms.
Cortisol - Cortisol is a hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands and is involved in the body's stress response. It helps to regulate blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and the immune system. In menopausal women, cortisol levels can be affected by fluctuations in other hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, which can lead to imbalances and potentially contribute to symptoms such as anxiety, fatigue, and mood swings.
FSH and LH - FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone) are hormones produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. They play a crucial role in regulating the menstrual cycle and controlling the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the female body. As women approach menopause, their hormone levels fluctuate, and their ovaries produce less estrogen. This causes FSH and LH levels to increase as the body tries to stimulate the ovaries to produce more estrogen. However, as the ovaries begin to shut down, FSH and LH levels remain high, and estrogen levels remain low, leading to common menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and vaginal dryness.
Testosterone, Total and Free - Testosterone is a hormone mainly associated with male development, but it's also found in women at lower levels. Total testosterone refers to the total amount of testosterone in the blood, including both bound and unbound forms. Free testosterone, on the other hand, refers to the amount of testosterone that is unbound and available for use by the body. During menopause, the levels of estrogen and testosterone in women naturally decline. Testosterone plays a role in maintaining bone density, muscle mass, and sex drive, so low levels can cause symptoms like fatigue, decreased libido, and decreased bone density. Checking levels of total and free testosterone can help doctors assess if hormone replacement therapy or other treatments may be necessary to help balance hormone levels in menopausal women.
DHEA-S - DHEAS stands for Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, which is a hormone produced by the adrenal gland. In menopausal women, the level of DHEAS decreases, which can affect the balance of other hormones in the body. This can lead to symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and fatigue. Maintaining a healthy level of DHEAS can help support hormone balance and alleviate these symptoms.
