Female Hormonal Panel:

Hormonal levels vary at various stages and ages of life. The levels of individual hormones (estrogen & progesterone) vary from day to day within a single cycle. The ratio of these hormones to each other is also significant. Certain types of estrogen may be friendlier than others. Sometimes regulatory hormones from the hypothalamus may play a part in the symptoms. All this information is needed before we can make an accurate replacement plan for you. To collect relevant information for therapeutic purposes, the hormonal panel is selected according to your age, symptoms and menstrual history. The test involves collection of multiple salivary samples.

Saliva is a preferred method of assessment of hormones since it is the free fraction of hormone which is secreted in saliva. The free hormone is the biologically active hormone. The procedure is non-invasive (without any needle pricks etc).

The test measures six key hormones which include: progesterone, estradiol(E1), estrone(E2), estriol(E3), testosterone and DHEA. The inclusion of FSH and LH is indicated for  patients with hot flashes, bone loss and poor sleep quality.

Thyroid Function:  

Thyroid tests are like solving a puzzel:

Your doctor always checks the level of TSH in blood  to assess and monitor the function of your thyroid gland. The level of T4 and T3 hormones is equally important especially in resistant to treat thyroid deficency cases. At times we may need to know the level of rT3 (reverse T3) as well which is a malformed and inactive type of T3. To make T4, the thyroid gland incorporates four Iodine molecules by help of an enzyme. At times it may be important to know the status of this enzyme and Iodine too. T4 itself is an inactive form of hormone and it needs to shed an Iodine molecule before it can change to an active form T3.

It is eveident from the above account that thyroid assessmnet, especially in complicated cases, should be done carefully by an experienced professional.