The two major classes of ovarian hormones released during the menstrual cycle are progesterone and estrogens, which are named female steroid hormones. The most active estrogen is estradiol, while the most active progestin is progesterone. The female cycle has three physiologic phases:

• follicular
(starts with the onset of menstrual blood flow, is of variable time, and is characterized by both low progesterone and estrogen output),
• ovulation (one-three days long, in which the egg is released, and this period is characterized by high levels of estrogen),
• luteal (usually lasting 12-14 days and ending with menses, characterized by high level of progesterone and moderate increase in levels of estrogen).

Estrogens and progesterone affect several target organs involved in successful conception and pregnancy, as well as a number of secondary sexual characteristics such as soft skin, reduced body hair and its distribution, a higher voice pitch, release of pheromones, etc. The principal target organs of estrogens and progesterone are: uterus, fallopian tubes, vagina, external genitalia, breasts, liver, kidneys, skin and bones. The female hormonal test is a simple, non-invasive test. Eleven saliva samples are collected during specified time period throughout the menstrual cycle. The diagnostic guesswork is minimized, allowing for hormonal balance evaluation and according to results individual, customized treatment for each female patient. For instance detection of luteal phase hormonal imbalance usually is associated with PMS, fibroids, menstrual problems that may originate in the brain, menstrual cycle irregularities following the use of birth control pills, migraine headaches, endometriosis, polycystic ovary disease, early osteoporosis, and other female hormonal problems, even infertility or spontaneous miscarriage.
Currently, female hormone therapy is not individualized to the needs of each woman and most women are empirically treated without regard to their physiology and specific needs. Female hormonal panel allows a clinician to appropriately customize therapy to balance female sex hormones.

Post-Menopausal Hormone Panels (for menopausal women)

Menopause means the cessation of the monthly menstrual cycle and signals the end of a woman’s natural childbearing years. This transition produces a variety of bodily manifestations and symptoms.
Hormone levels should be sufficient and balanced but their levels vary from woman to woman from 200 to 1,500%. The right balance of sex hormones is of paramount importance. Too much or too little is not assuring the long term emotional, mental or bodily health. Many women need only one hormone, while others require a few different ones. Menopausal hormonal panels allow customizing natural hormone dosing to meet individual needs and optimize hormone levels for a minimum dose to relieve symptoms and achieve appropriate levels to increase sense of well being.
Saliva testing reflects the tissue concentration of your hormones. Blood contains total (bounded, biologically ineffective) hormones, but the tissues contain the active and effective fractions of hormones (as found in saliva), and their measurements in saliva are superior, more affordable and less expensive to measurements in blood. This aids in both diagnosis and treatment. Results can lead to an individualized and customized treatment plan using bio-identical hormones. One can minimize overdosing and underdosing. This will insure the use of proper hormones in the appropriate amounts.
On the other hand, arbitrarily given hormones, usually given in fixed dosages, may deal with the symptoms, but may pose other serious health risks.
With salivary hormone testing guesswork belongs to the past.

Male Hormone Panels

Even recently it was believed that age-related male hormone changes were not considered problematic because fertility in men persists until advanced age. Significant enough hormonal changes usually begin in the forth and fifth decades of life and lead to a condition which is called andropause, and may be considered the male equivalent of menopause.
Optimal health is dependent on the balance of hormones, and not just on a single one. Currently, men with low androgen hormones can benefit from bio-identical hormone replacement therapy.
Androgens (of which most important is testosterone) are supplemented in states of deficit and can produce many positive effects on the well being of men. Those positive effects include increased libido and increased levels of good cholesterol, reduced fat and change in its distribution, reduced levels of bad cholesterol and risk of osteoporosis, enhanced lean body mass. Stamina, passion for life, memory, decisiveness, enthusiasm, strength, vigor and energy are the other benefits derived form hormone supplementation. It also improves insomnia, nervousness, depression, hair loss or hair thinning, corrects erectile dysfunction, urinary symptoms or enables loosing weight.
Using your saliva sample we can measure DHEA, androstenedione, testosterone, DHT, estrone and progesterone. Active fractions found in saliva are superior, more affordable and less expensive to blood and urine total hormone levels in diagnosis and treatment. Results can lead to an individualized and customized treatment plan using bio-identical hormones. One can minimize overdosing and underdosing. This will ensure the use of only the proper hormones in the appropriate amounts, thus minimizing the guesswork. Symptoms alone are not a substitute for measuring hormone levels because many symptoms may involve non-hormonal factors.
Measurements of hormones can be used in two ways. First, baseline measurements will show levels and ratios of distinct hormones, allowing an objective treatment plan for the individual. Second, therapeutic monitoring measure levels of hormones after supplementation . This is crucial in establishing the appropriate dosing regimen in and reducing the chance of undesirable side-effects and maximizing beneficial effects. Monitoring is especially important in older males.

Adrenal Stress Tests and Panels

The definition of stress is often understood as something negative, what can be called a “distress”. Whereas positive events (such as wonderful surprises, passions, athletic competitions) can elicit seemingly identical responses, from a physiological perspective are neglected.
Stress adaptation consists of the following stages:

• alarm reaction
(increased hormone production and activation of the appropriate systems),
• resistance
(the balancing of hormone's affect on water, electrolyte balance and carbohydrate metabolism); this is "true adaptation" to stress,
• exhaustion
(depletion or exhaustion of adrenals ability to make hormones).

The adrenals are two small glands that are located above the kidneys. Cortisol, DHEA and adrenaline are the three main adrenal stress hormones. The human adrenal gland does not secrete its steroid hormones at a constant level throughout the day. The hormones are released in a cycle with a highest value in the morning and the lowest value at night. This 24-hour cycle is called the circadian rhythm.
An abnormal rhythm can influence many functions of the body, like:

• energy production
(abnormal adrenal function can alter the ability of cells to produce energy for activities of daily living; people who have hard time rising in the morning, or who suffer from a low energy level during the day, often have abnormal adrenal rhythms and poor blood sugar regulation; this test measures stress hormones and insulin, that may be responsible for food cravings, obesity and fatigue)
• immune health
(the immune system trafficking follows the cortisol cycle; so if the cycle is disrupted, especially at night, then the immune system is adversely affected; short and long-term stress is known to suppress the immune response on the surfaces of our body as in lungs, throat, urinary and intestinal tracts, reducing the natural resistance to infection and allergies)
• thyroid function
(cortisol controls thyroid hormone production; often symptoms such as fatigue and low body temperature are due to adrenal maladaptation)
• muscle and joint function
(abnormal adrenal rhythms compromise tissue healing; reduced tissue repair and increased tissue breakdown can lead to chronic pain or discomfort)
• bone health
(the adrenal rhythm determines the bone build up; if the night cortisol level is elevated and the morning level is abnormal, our bones get osteoporotic; stress is the enemy of the bones; in postmenopausal women, the effect of stress worsens due to the female hormone imbalances)
• skin regeneration
(human skin regenerates mostly during the night, so that normal cortisol rhythm is essential for skin health)
• sleep quality
(the ability to enter regenerative sleep is interrupted by high cortisol values at night and in the morning causing reduction of the mental vitality and vigor inducing depression)

Customized treatment and preventive measures may include diet and lifestyle changes, hormones, supplements and vitamins. With blood and urine testing, a number of borderline adrenal conditions are missed due to the lack of sufficient sensitivity.
The adrenal stress test should be performed for individuals that suffer from:
- chronic stress and hence related health problems
- low body temperature
- migraine headaches
- poor memory
- sleep problems
- muscle and joint pain
- low resistance to infection
- low allergy threshold
- hypoglycemic episodes
- stress maladaptation
- lack of vitality and energy
- low sex drive
- osteoporosis
- alcohol intolerance
With this valuable tool, assessing chronic complaints takes on a new dimension and allows a very targeted therapeutic approach.

Gastrointestinal Health Tests and Panel

The gastrointestinal tract is an external part of the body. This is the reason why we do not have to sterilize our food. The risk of being infected or infested by pathogenic organisms through food and water is increasing, primarily due to overseas travel, immigration, importation of fruits and vegetables, alternate lifestyles, pets at home, agricultural pollution, lack of public health policy to screen food handlers, etc. According to World Health Organization (WHO) more than one quarter of the Earth's population is infected at any given time.
The predominant method of transmission of parasites is the fecal-oral route through hand contact or via contaminated water and food. All family members should be tested if one member is positive for GI infection. Individuals with cancer and those with weakened immune system are very susceptible to parasitic infection. Additionally those who overuse antibiotics are more likely to have overgrown harmful microorganisms.
Intestinal infections cannot be clinically differentiated exclusively on the basis of medical history or physical exam. Specific diagnosis requires laboratory evaluation and conformation. Regular testing for stool ova and parasites screening alone usually is not sufficient enough to detect sometimes ubiquitous organisms.
In the beginning accurate and specific diagnosis of causative organism(s) is made, then specific therapeutic agents target and eradicate offending microorganism(s). This panel can detect various pathogens (bacteria, fungi, yeast, parasites), performs related screens for digestive enzymes, checks the intolerance to common offending foods, and also intestinal function markers. It is non-invasive and economical, testing saliva and stool samples collected at home. Retesting requires only a repeat of a specific problem and not the whole panel.
Individuals with chronic and vague complaints like bloating, gas, abdominal cramping, frequent travel, eating outside the home, homosexuals, institutionalized individuals, food handlers and preparers, uniformed services, dormitory residents, and children that go to daycare centers would benefit from these tests.

 

Marek Gawrysz, MD