Hormones and adrenal testing for adrenal fatigue can take several forms. First we have the standard hormones tests - tests that your medical doctor will likely give you - this includes testing for cortisol and and various thyroid hormones. Then we have the tests more frequently used by integrative doctors or naturopaths, which look in particular at the ratios of various hormones and neurotransmitters to better assess how a patient is feeling.
Hormones and Adrenal Testing - Cortisol Test
Cortisol test is the major lab test used to diagnose adrenal fatigue. Measuring your cortisol level can be done through saliva, blood or urine test, depending on your doctor's order. These days the saliva cortisol testing is generally more accepted as it is the most accurate. It gives a better estimate of the cortisol levels within your cells, where the hormone reactions are taking place. Just make sure to be well-hydrated before you take your sample as dehydration can affect the results.
Your body's cortisol levels vary throughout the day. To get a more accurate picture of your cortisol activities, you need to provide 4 individual samples at various points of the day over the course of 24 hours.
Hormones and Adrenal Testing - Thyroid Test
Adrenal fatigue can result in the weakening in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, which can lead to lower thyroid function. If your blood tests indicates mild hypothyroidism, the underlying cause might actually be adrenal fatigue.
Hormones and Adrenal Testing - Tests Used by Integrative Doctors
Integrative doctors and naturopaths may ask for tests such as cortisol/DHEA ratio and neurotransmitter testing, which provide insights into the relative levels of various hormone imbalances and neurotransmitter deficiencies in your body.
Cortisol/DHEA Ratio - This test tells us the level of the patient's adrenal fatigue. DHEA levels starts to fall because cortisol steals resources from sex hormone production. Further on in the development of adrenal fatigue, cortisol levels will also begin to drop. This ratio, combined with other tests and information, helps determine the level of adrenal fatigue the patient has reached.
17-HP/ Cortisol Ratio - 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-HP) is one of the raw materials that the body uses to create cortisol. Adrenal fatigue patients usually have higher levels of 17-HP vs. cortisol, as the adrenals are struggle to make the proper conversion of 17-HP.
Neurotransmitter testing - Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit messages between our cells. Just like cortisol, they can become depleted after long periods of stress. Neurotransmitter testing is usually conducted first thing in the morning and done through urine sampling.
Doctors and naturopaths look at a variety of laboratory tests to diagnose adrenal fatigue. They may use several of these in conjunction with one another to get a more accurate diagnosis.
Friday, October 3, 2014
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Hormones and Adrenal Testing - Blood Tests for Adrenal Malfunction
Most adrenal gland disorders affect only the adrenal cortex, one of the gland's two distinct zones. The adrenal cortex primarily produces the hormones cortisol and aldorestone. Hormone and adrenal testing, particularly, blood tests are capable of identifying the various disorders in the adrenal gland through the measurement of these different hormones. We will learn about the benefits of amino acids testing with regards to how the levels of these hormones are measured, and how they are used to assess adrenal malfunction.
Hormones and Adrenal Testing - Cortisol
Blood cortisol is one of the basic tests used to assess adrenal gland function. Cortisol levels rise and fall throughout the day, rendering a single blood sample ineffective when diagnosing any deficiencies or overproduction. To get a better sense of adrenal function, doctors require multiple samples throughout the day to measure cortisol levels before or after stimulation.
Hormones and Adrenal Testing - Adrenocorticotropin Hormone
Adrenocorticotropin hormone, or ACTH, is a hormone made by the pituitary gland that influence the production of cortisol. ACTH levels are indicative of the state of adrenal function and can be measured to reach diagnosis. If the adrenal glands are not working properly, the pituitary secretes more ACTH to stimulate the production of cortisol. People with poorly functioning adrenal glands typically have elevated levels of ACTH.
Adrenal Stimulation Test - Cosyntropin
If a 24 hour sampling is not possible, doctors suggest the stimulation of the adrenal glands with a synthetic form of ACTH called cosyntropin. Blood cortisol level is measured before injection of cosyntropin. After 45 minutes, the blood cortisol level is again measured to see if the adrenal glands produced more cortisol in response to the stimulation. Failure of the blood cortisol level to rise indicates adrenal gland malfunction.
Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone
Another adrenal stimulation test is done through the use of a corticotropin-releasing hormone, a chemical that stimulates the release of ACTH. The baseline levels of ACTH and cortisol are measured before the injection of the chemical. Cortisol and ACTH levels are measured every 15 minutes to check reaction. ACTH levels usually peak after 15 to 30 minutes, while cortisol levels at 30 to 40 minutes after the injection. Failure of cortisol levels to rise after an increase in ACTH indicates adrenal failure.
Blood tests measuring hormone levels are among the trusted laboratory tests to assess adrenal malfunction. If you are suffering from adrenal fatigue, adrenal stress or any symptoms related to adrenal disorder, talk to your doctor for a possible testing today.
Hormones and Adrenal Testing - Cortisol
Blood cortisol is one of the basic tests used to assess adrenal gland function. Cortisol levels rise and fall throughout the day, rendering a single blood sample ineffective when diagnosing any deficiencies or overproduction. To get a better sense of adrenal function, doctors require multiple samples throughout the day to measure cortisol levels before or after stimulation.
Hormones and Adrenal Testing - Adrenocorticotropin Hormone
Adrenocorticotropin hormone, or ACTH, is a hormone made by the pituitary gland that influence the production of cortisol. ACTH levels are indicative of the state of adrenal function and can be measured to reach diagnosis. If the adrenal glands are not working properly, the pituitary secretes more ACTH to stimulate the production of cortisol. People with poorly functioning adrenal glands typically have elevated levels of ACTH.
Adrenal Stimulation Test - Cosyntropin
If a 24 hour sampling is not possible, doctors suggest the stimulation of the adrenal glands with a synthetic form of ACTH called cosyntropin. Blood cortisol level is measured before injection of cosyntropin. After 45 minutes, the blood cortisol level is again measured to see if the adrenal glands produced more cortisol in response to the stimulation. Failure of the blood cortisol level to rise indicates adrenal gland malfunction.
Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone
Another adrenal stimulation test is done through the use of a corticotropin-releasing hormone, a chemical that stimulates the release of ACTH. The baseline levels of ACTH and cortisol are measured before the injection of the chemical. Cortisol and ACTH levels are measured every 15 minutes to check reaction. ACTH levels usually peak after 15 to 30 minutes, while cortisol levels at 30 to 40 minutes after the injection. Failure of cortisol levels to rise after an increase in ACTH indicates adrenal failure.
Blood tests measuring hormone levels are among the trusted laboratory tests to assess adrenal malfunction. If you are suffering from adrenal fatigue, adrenal stress or any symptoms related to adrenal disorder, talk to your doctor for a possible testing today.
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Hormones and Adrenal Testing - Saliva Testing
The adrenal glands secrete stress hormones, cortisol, in response to physical or emotional stress. The cortisol levels rise and fall in a daily pattern that causes the more erratic fluctuations caused by the stress response. Cortisol output by the adrenal glands is one of the most reliable indication of your adrenal health and how well is your body adapting to stress. Hormones and adrenal testing like the saliva test measures the levels of the stress hormones DHEA and cortisol in your saliva, which provides valuable insights of how your body's cortisol level operate throughout the day.
Hormones and Adrenal Testing - Symptoms Assessment
Saliva testing is used to determine hormone imbalances that can by underlying caused of conditions such as:
Hormones and Adrenal Testing - How the Test is Done
To accurately determine any hormone problems, cortisol is measured four times throughout the day. One in the morning (8 AM), noon, afternoon (4 PM) and night (best between 11 PM and midnight). Steroid hormones, such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and DHEA can be measures along with costisol in the morning saliva sample, if desired.
Saliva Testing Accuracy
Salivary hormone and adrenal testing are reliable indicators of the levels of all steroid hormones in your body. However, just as with blood tests, some laboratory testing are more reliable than others. In fact, Plan B medicare covers saliva hormone testing. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO), recognize saliva cortisol testing as being very accurate.
Hormones and Adrenal Testing - Symptoms Assessment
Saliva testing is used to determine hormone imbalances that can by underlying caused of conditions such as:
- Chronic stress
- Adrenal fatigue
- Anxiety
- Chronic fatigue
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Depression
- Insomnia
Hormones and Adrenal Testing - How the Test is Done
To accurately determine any hormone problems, cortisol is measured four times throughout the day. One in the morning (8 AM), noon, afternoon (4 PM) and night (best between 11 PM and midnight). Steroid hormones, such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and DHEA can be measures along with costisol in the morning saliva sample, if desired.
Saliva Testing Accuracy
Salivary hormone and adrenal testing are reliable indicators of the levels of all steroid hormones in your body. However, just as with blood tests, some laboratory testing are more reliable than others. In fact, Plan B medicare covers saliva hormone testing. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO), recognize saliva cortisol testing as being very accurate.
Monday, August 25, 2014
Hormone and Adrenal Testing
The adrenal glands are the small organs attached on the top of each kidney. The body has two adrenal glands which release biochemicals called hormones into the bloodstream. These hormones not only affect many parts of the body, it also impacts overall health.
We'll tackle the importance of adrenal glands through the hormones they produce that help regulates the different organs and tissues inside the body, the different health concerns that result from adrenal glands' over/underproduction of hormones, as well as the some effective hormone and adrenal testing procedures.
The different types of hormones that adrenal glands produce
The adrenal gland produce four main hormones:
1. Catecholamines - Known as the stress hormones (adrenaline or noradrenaline) which facilitates the body's fight or flight response.
2. Cortisol - Another hormone involved in stress response, Cortisol also helps regulate the body's metabolism.
3. Aldosterone - This hormone helps regulates blood pressure by maintaining the body's salt and water levels.
4. Androgens - eg, testosterone. These hormones are involved in creating and maintaining the secondary sex characteristics of male and female.
Hormone and Adrenal Problems
In rare cases the adrenal glands can become either overactive or under-active that results in hormone imbalances which can give rise to a variety of health problems. Overactive adrenal glands may produce too much cortisol resulting to symptoms such as thinning and bruising of skin, obesity, diabetes, moodiness, depression and high blood pressure. Under active adrenal glands may not produce enough hormones causing adrenal stress that makes the individual feel unusually tired and depressed, along with muscles aches, stomach pains and poor appetite.
Hormone and Adrenal Testing
Salivary adrenal hormone production test is an effective hormone and adrenal testing that assesses the overall values of hormones determine the extent of the over/underproduction of hormones. Diagnosis through laboratory testing can then be followed with specific nutritional supplementation, medication - if needed.
We'll tackle the importance of adrenal glands through the hormones they produce that help regulates the different organs and tissues inside the body, the different health concerns that result from adrenal glands' over/underproduction of hormones, as well as the some effective hormone and adrenal testing procedures.
The different types of hormones that adrenal glands produce
The adrenal gland produce four main hormones:
1. Catecholamines - Known as the stress hormones (adrenaline or noradrenaline) which facilitates the body's fight or flight response.
2. Cortisol - Another hormone involved in stress response, Cortisol also helps regulate the body's metabolism.
3. Aldosterone - This hormone helps regulates blood pressure by maintaining the body's salt and water levels.
4. Androgens - eg, testosterone. These hormones are involved in creating and maintaining the secondary sex characteristics of male and female.
Hormone and Adrenal Problems
In rare cases the adrenal glands can become either overactive or under-active that results in hormone imbalances which can give rise to a variety of health problems. Overactive adrenal glands may produce too much cortisol resulting to symptoms such as thinning and bruising of skin, obesity, diabetes, moodiness, depression and high blood pressure. Under active adrenal glands may not produce enough hormones causing adrenal stress that makes the individual feel unusually tired and depressed, along with muscles aches, stomach pains and poor appetite.
Hormone and Adrenal Testing
Salivary adrenal hormone production test is an effective hormone and adrenal testing that assesses the overall values of hormones determine the extent of the over/underproduction of hormones. Diagnosis through laboratory testing can then be followed with specific nutritional supplementation, medication - if needed.
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