|
|
Home
|
How
it Works
|
Services
|
Health
ePrints
|
STD Tests
|
Drug Screenings
|
DNA Testing
|
Wellness |
eCaps |
About Us |
|
|
FSH - LH - Estradiol
|
Estrogen is a
group of hormones primarily responsible for the development of female
sex organs and secondary sex characteristics. While estrogen is one of
the major female sex hormones, small amounts are found in males. In
women, follicular stimulating hormone (FSH; produced by the pituitary
gland) stimulates cells (follicles) surrounding the eggs in the ovaries,
causing them to produce estrogen. When the estrogen levels reach a
certain level, the pituitary produces a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH),
which eventually causes the release of the egg, beginning the
preparation for fertilization.
There are three main estrogen fractions: estrone (E1), estradiol (E2),
and estriol (E3).
Estrone (E1) is the major estrogen after menopause. It is derived from
metabolites from the adrenal gland and is often made in adipose tissue
(fat).
Estradiol (E2) is produced in women mainly in the ovary. In men, the
testes and adrenal glands are the principal source of estradiol. In
women, normal levels of estradiol provide for proper ovulation,
conception, and pregnancy, in addition to promoting healthy bone
structure and regulating cholesterol levels. Estradiol levels are used to help evaluate ovarian
function. Estradiol helps diagnose the cause of precocious puberty in
girls and gynecomastia in men. Its main use has been in the differential
diagnosis of amenorrhea (for example, to determine whether the cause is
menopause, pregnancy, or a medical problem). In assisted reproductive
technology (ART), serial measurements are used to monitor follicle
development in the ovary in the days prior to in-vitro fertilization.
Estradiol is also sometimes used to monitor menopausal hormone
replacement therapy.
Estriol (E3) is the major estrogen in pregnancy, with relatively large
amounts produced in the placenta (from precursors produced by the fetal
adrenal glands and liver). Estriol levels start to rise in the eighth
week of pregnancy and continue to rise until shortly before delivery.
Serum estriol circulating in maternal blood is quickly cleared out of
the body. Each measurement of estriol is a snapshot of what is happening
with the placenta and fetus, but there is also natural daily variation
in the estriol level.
Female hormones may be measured from a blood sample drawn from a vein in
your arm, a 24-hour urine sample, or (in some cases) a fresh saliva
sample. However blood, urine, and saliva results are not
interchangeable. Normal
Estrogens Levels in pg/mL
Prepubertal
<40
Female Cycle:
1-10 Days 61 - 394
11-20 Days 122 - 437
21-30 Days 156 - 350
Post-Menopausal <40
HMG Treatment for Ovulation
Induction: 400 - 800
Go back
|
|
Estrogens &
Progesterone
|
| This test
measures the level of estrogens and progesterone in the blood.
Estrogens is a
group of hormones primarily responsible for the development of female
sex organs and secondary sex characteristics. While estrogen is one of
the major female sex hormones, small amounts are found in males. In
women, follicular stimulating hormone (FSH; produced by the pituitary
gland) stimulates cells (follicles) surrounding the eggs in the ovaries,
causing them to produce estrogen. When the estrogen levels reach a
certain level, the pituitary produces a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH),
which eventually causes the release of the egg, beginning the
preparation for fertilization.
On a monthly basis, the hormone estrogen causes the endometrium (the
lining of the uterus) to grow and replenish itself, while a surge in
lutenizing hormone (LH) leads to the release of an egg from one of two
ovaries. A corpus luteum (small yellow cellular mass) then forms in the
ovary at the site where the egg was released and begins to produce
progesterone. This progesterone (supplemented by small amounts produced
by the adrenal glands) stops endometrial growth and readies the uterus
for the possible implantation of a fertilized egg.
If fertilization does not occur, the corpus luteum degenerates,
progesterone levels drop, and menstrual bleeding begins. If a fertilized
egg is implanted in the uterus, the corpus luteum continues to produce
progesterone. After several weeks, the placenta replaces the corpus
luteum as the main source of progesterone, creating relatively large
amounts of the hormone throughout the rest of a normal pregnancy.
Progesterone is measured to help determine the cause of infertility, track ovulation, help
diagnose an ectopic or failing pregnancy, monitor the health of a
pregnancy, and help diagnose the cause of abnormal uterine bleeding
There are three main estrogen fractions: estrone (E1), estradiol (E2),
and estriol (E3).
Estrone (E1) is the major estrogen after menopause. It is derived from
metabolites from the adrenal gland and is often made in adipose tissue
(fat).
Estradiol (E2) is produced in women mainly in the ovary. In men, the
testes and adrenal glands are the principal source of estradiol. In
women, normal levels of estradiol provide for proper ovulation,
conception, and pregnancy, in addition to promoting healthy bone
structure and regulating cholesterol levels. Estradiol levels are used to help evaluate ovarian
function. Estradiol helps diagnose the cause of precocious puberty in
girls and gynecomastia in men. Its main use has been in the differential
diagnosis of amenorrhea (for example, to determine whether the cause is
menopause, pregnancy, or a medical problem). In assisted reproductive
technology (ART), serial measurements are used to monitor follicle
development in the ovary in the days prior to in-vitro fertilization.
Estradiol is also sometimes used to monitor menopausal hormone
replacement therapy.
Estriol (E3) is the major estrogen in pregnancy, with relatively large
amounts produced in the placenta (from precursors produced by the fetal
adrenal glands and liver). Estriol levels start to rise in the eighth
week of pregnancy and continue to rise until shortly before delivery.
Serum estriol circulating in maternal blood is quickly cleared out of
the body. Each measurement of estriol is a snapshot of what is happening
with the placenta and fetus, but there is also natural daily variation
in the estriol level.
Female hormones may be measured from a blood sample drawn from a vein in
your arm, a 24-hour urine sample, or (in some cases) a fresh saliva
sample. However blood, urine, and saliva results are not
interchangeable.
Progesterone is a
steroid hormone whose main role is to help prepare a woman’s body for
pregnancy; it works in conjunction with several other female hormones.
At specific times during a woman’s menstrual cycle to determine
whether/when she is ovulating; during early pregnancy if symptoms
suggest an ectopic or failing pregnancy; throughout pregnancy to help
determine placenta and fetal health; and in cases of abnormal uterine
bleeding
Since progesterone levels vary predictably throughout the menstrual
cycle, multiple (serial) measurements can be used to help recognize and
manage some causes of infertility. Progesterone can be measured to
determine whether or not a woman has ovulated, to determine when
ovulation occurred, and to monitor the success of induced ovulation.
In early pregnancy, progesterone measurements may be used, along with
human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) testing, to help diagnose an ectopic
or failing pregnancy (progesterone levels will be lower than expected),
although this will not differentiate between the two conditions.
Progesterone levels also may be measured throughout a high-risk
pregnancy to help evaluate placenta and fetal health.
Progesterone levels may be monitored in women who have trouble
maintaining a pregnancy, as low levels of the hormone can lead to
miscarriage. If a woman is receiving progesterone injections to help
support her early pregnancy, her progesterone levels may be monitored on
a regular basis to help determine the effectiveness of that treatment.
In women who are not pregnant, progesterone levels may be used, along
with other tests, to help determine the cause of abnormal uterine
bleeding.
Normal
Female
Progesterone Levels in ng/mL:
Follicular 0.2 - 1.4
Luteal 3.3 -
25.6
Mid-luteal 4.4 - 28.0
Postmenopausal 0.0 - 0.7
Pregnancy:
1st Trimester 11.2 - 90.0
2nd Trimester 25.5 - 89.4
3rd Trimester 48.4 - 422.5
|
Go back
|
COMPREHENSIVE FEMALE HORMONES PANEL
|
|
This Panel includes:
FSH - LH - Estradiol
and Testosterone Total
|
Go back
|
INSULIN LEVEL
|
Very useful
measurement especially:
- If you have
documented hypoglycemia
- if you have
symptoms suggesting that insulin either is being inappropriately
released or utilized by your body
- if you have
diabetes and your doctor wants to monitor your insulin production
- if your
Doctor wants to document insulin resistance in e person with
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
- in
pre-diabetes or in the presence of heart disease (especially if you
are overweight)
- in the
Metabolic Syndrom,
- in disorders
related to the pituitary or adrenal glands
Insulin is protein hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreas.
It consists of two chains (A and B) connected by disulfide bridges.
Insulin and C-peptide are produced by the pancreas as the result of
proteolytic cleavage of a precursor protein called
proinsulin.
Insulin is an anabolic hormone that stimulates the uptake of glucose
into fat and muscle and promotes the formation of glycogen. Insulin
stimulates protein synthesis and inhibits protein degradation.
Glucose, amino acids, and certain pancreatic and gastrointestinal
hormones (eg, glucagon, gastrin, secretin) stimulate the pancreas to
secrete insulin. Insulin secretion is inhibited by hypoglycemia and
somatostatin. In healthy individuals insulin is secreted in a pulsatile
fashion that is closely controlled by glucose levels. The primary
clinical utility of insulin measurement is in the evaluation of patients
with fasting hypoglycemia. Insulin levels tend to be inappropriately
elevated in patients with insulin-secreting tumors.
Fasting hypoglycemia in association with markedly elevated serum insulin
levels is considered diagnostic for a tumor called insulinoma. Some
patients with insulin secreting tumors exhibit intermittent insulin
elevations. Insulin and C-peptide levels can be useful predicting
susceptibility to the development of type II diabetes. The American
Diabetes Association recommendations for the diagnosis of diabetes do
not include the measurement of insulin levels.
|
|
MENOPAUSE PANEL
|
The
Menopause Panel includes:
-
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH):
to learn if you are approaching or have gone through menopause;
- Estradiol:
to measure ovarian production of estrogen and to evaluate whether
the menstrual cycle is normal and if you are fertile;
- Thyroid
Function Panel: to test the function of the
thyroid gland, which can slow with age;
- Lipid
profile: to test for triglycerides and the good (HDL) and bad (LDL)
cholesterol levels in the blood to assess for cardiovascular
disease;
- Complete
blood count (CBC):
to determine the adequacy of the number of red and white blood cells
in the blood;
- Liver and
kidney function: to see if you can tolerate hormone replacement
therapy; and if a woman has risk factors or symptoms of diabetes, you could order
also a
glucose test to learn whether the sugar levels in the
blood are too high.
|
Menopause -
The Ups and Downs of Change |
Watch Video |
MENOPAUSE
Menopause is the time in a woman’s life when her normal menstrual
periods stop and she can no longer become pregnant. Menopause can occur
anytime after the age of 35, but the typical age of onset is in the late
40s. A woman’s ovaries, the organs that produce eggs, stop making them
and female hormones at this time.
Two important hormones, estradiol and progesterone, are made by the
ovaries in a cyclical fashion and help to maintain a normal menstrual
cycle. When a woman approaches menopause, cyclical hormone production
from the ovaries stops, leading to a cessation in monthly menstrual
periods.
The menopausal change is slow and usually takes two to five years to
complete. During the so-called peri-menopausal period, hormone levels
can fluctuate from high to low from one month to the next. Some months a
woman may have a period but then go for several months without a period.
It is important to note that during this time, a woman may still be able
to get pregnant.
Menopause happens naturally as a woman ages. However, menopause can also
occur for other reasons, including the removal of the ovaries for cancer
or other medical reasons like endometriosis, excessive exposure to
radiation or chemotherapy, pituitary gland disorders, or very poor
health.
A woman’s body goes through several changes during menopause. Some of
the more common symptoms of menopause occur when estrogen levels start
to drop. Women may experience:
| |
- hot flashes;
- rapid mood swings ranging from depression to euphoria;
- decreased libido and sex drive;
- increased frequency or sudden urge to urinate;
vaginal dryness with pain during intercourse;
- excessive bone loss, leading to a higher incidence of fractures of the
hip and spinal column; and
- a higher risk for heart disease (because the
levels of LDL “bad” cholesterol in the blood may rise).
|
|
If a woman has risk factors or symptoms of diabetes, her doctor may also
order a glucose
tolerance test
to learn whether the
sugar levels in the blood are too high.
As estrogen levels drop, bones can get weaker. For guidelines on bone
density testing, see the National Osteoporosis Foundation.
Some menopausal symptoms can be managed without drug treatments, such as
with diet and exercise or by quitting smoking and cutting back on
alcohol consumption. Some women, however, may choose to start taking
hormone replacement therapy to help prevent or reduce hot flashes, mood
swings, and bone loss.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the most common treatment
prescribed to relieve the various symptoms of menopause. It has been and
continues to be controversial, however. For more information about HRT,
visit the Hormone Foundation. You should also discuss HRT with your
doctor to make sure it is right for you.
|
|
TESTOSTERONE
|
Testosterone is a
steroid hormone (androgen) made by the testes in males. Its production
is stimulated and controlled by luteinizing hormone (LH), which is
manufactured in the pituitary gland. In males, testosterone stimulates
development of secondary sex characteristics, including enlargement of
the penis, growth of body hair and muscle, and a deepening voice. It is
present in large amounts in males during puberty and in adult males to
regulate the sex drive and maintain muscle mass. Testosterone is also
produced by the adrenal glands in both males and females and, in small
amounts, by the ovaries in females. In women, testosterone is converted
to estradiol, the main sex hormone in females.
In males, the testes produce the majority of the
circulating testosterone. The pituitary hormone LH stimulates the
testicular Leydig cells to produce testosterone. In females, the ovaries
produce the majority of the testosterone.
Testosterone levels are obtained in women to help
evaluate excess hair growth, virilization (male body characteristics),
and irregular menstrual periods. |
|
|
IGF1
(Growth Hormone)
|
|
Growth Hormone
Growth hormone (22,000 MW) is essential for linear growth and is necessary
for normal metabolism of protein, carbohydrate, lipid and minerals. The
growth promoting aspects are mediated by somatomedin IGF-1 produced
primarily in the liver in response to GH. GH causes an increase in lean body
mass, a decrease in body fat, an increase in metabolic rate and a decrease
in plasma cholesterol. GH is a unique hormone in that animal forms are
inactive in humans. However, recombinant hGH is available for the treatment
of disease. While it has been touted as a "fountain of youth", current data
does not support the use of GH to reverse the changes seen in normal aging
HGH is referred to by medical
science as the master hormone. Growth hormone affects virtually all areas of
the body -- influencing the growth of cells, bones, muscles and organs. When
deficient in GH our symptoms include loss of muscle, decreased energy, an
increase in fat, diminished sexual drive, a greater risk of cardiovascular
disease and a lower life expectancy. In other words, the symptoms we call
aging.
Human Growth Hormone (HgH), also
called somatotropin, is produced in the anterior of the pituitary gland deep
inside the brain. It influences the growth of cells, bones, muscles and
organs throughout the body.
Production of HgH peaks at adolescence when accelerated growth occurs. If
growing children have too little they remain as dwarfs, while if they have
too much they become giants. Ample in our youth, production of HGH falls 80%
from age 21 to 61. Daily growth hormone secretion diminishes with age to the
extent that a 60 year old may secrete only 25% of the HGH secreted by a 20
year old.
Human Growth Hormone
Deficiency
HgH is one of many endocrine hormones, like estrogen, progesterone,
testosterone, melatonin and DHEA, that all decline in production with age.
While many of these hormones can be replaced to deter some of the effects of
aging, HgH reaches far beyond the scope of any of these hormones. By ages 70
to 80, virtually everyone is deficient in growth hormone, resulting in SDS,
or Somatotropin (growth hormone) Deficiency Syndrome.
Recombinant Human Growth Hormone has been approved for use in Growth Hormone
Deficiency Syndrome. Since measurement of hGH is difficult, the accepted
method is to measure Somatomedin-C, or by its newer name,
Insulin Growth
Factor-1 (IGF-1). Depending on the laboratory used to measure IGF-1 and
the work of leading researchers, Somatotropin Deficiency Syndrome is defined
as a value below 160 ug/ml.
Go back
|
|
| |
|
THYROID PROFILE
|
|
Includes Temp Log - T3 uptake -T4 -T7
FTI |
|
Temp Log
The symptoms of a low body temperature are
classic for low thyroid function and they often get better with thyroid
medicine. Body temperatures are normally lower in the morning, higher in the
afternoon, and lower again in the evening. So if the temperatures are low
during the day when they're supposed to be at their highest, that's better
evidence that there's a problem. Temperature patterns are also important and
illuminating. How patients feel can be affected not only by how high or low
their temperatures are but also on how steady their temps are. One temperature reading a day is not
enough to see how widely the temperature is fluctuating, but more than three
a day can be too time consuming.
T3 uptake
This test measures the
amount of triiodothyronine, or T3, in the blood. T3 is one of two
major hormones produced by the thyroid gland (the other hormone is called
thyroxine, or T4). The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped organ that
lies flat across your windpipe. The hormones it produces control the rate at
which the body uses energy. Their production is regulated by a feedback
system. When blood levels of thyroid hormones decline, the hypothalamus (an
organ in the brain) releases thyrotropin releasing hormone, which stimulates
the pituitary (a tiny organ below the brain and behind the sinus cavities)
to produce and release thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH then
stimulates the thyroid gland to produce and/or release more thyroid
hormones. Most of the thyroid hormone produced is T4. This hormone is
relatively inactive, but it is converted into the much more active T3 in the
liver and other tissues.
If the thyroid gland
produces excessive amounts of T4 and T3, then the patient may have symptoms
associated with hyperthyroidism, such as nervousness, tremors of the hands,
weight loss, insomnia, and puffiness around dry, irritated eyes. In some
cases, the patient’s eyes cannot move normally and they may appear to be
staring. In other cases, the patient’s eyes may appear to bulge.
If the thyroid gland
produces insufficient amounts of thyroid hormones, then the patient may have
symptoms associated with hypothyroidism and a slowed metabolism, such as
weight gain, dry skin, fatigue, and constipation. Blood levels of hormones
may be increased or decreased because of insufficient or excessive
production by the thyroid gland, due to thyroid dysfunction, or due to
insufficient or excessive TSH production related to pituitary dysfunction.
Fatigue
Headaches & Migraines
PMS
Easy Weight Gain
Depression
Irritability
Fluid Retention
Anxiety & Panic Attacks
Hair Loss
Poor Memory
Poor Concentration
Low Sex Drive
Unhealthy Nails
Dry Skin & Hair
Cold Intolerance
Low Motivation
Low Ambition
Insomnia - Heat Intolerance
Allergies
Acne
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Hives.....and many others
About 99.7% of the T3
found in the blood is attached to a protein (primarily thyroxine-binding
globulin ( TBG) but also several other proteins) and the rest is free
(unattached). Separate blood tests can be performed to measure either the
total (both bound and unattached) or free (unattached) T3 hormone in the
blood.
When TBG is increased, T3 uptake is decreased, and
vice versa. T3 Uptake does not measure the level of T3 or T4 in serum.
Increased T3 uptake (decreased TBG) is seen in chronic
liver disease, protein-losing states, and with use of the following drugs:
androgens, barbiturates, bishydroxycourmarin, chlorpropamide,
corticosteroids, danazol, d-thyroxine, penicillin, phenylbutazone, valproic
acid, and androgens. It is also seen in hyperthyroidism.
Decreased T3 uptake
(increased TBG) may occur due to the effects of exogenous estrogens
(including oral contraceptives), pregnancy, acute hepatitis, and in
genetically-determined elevations of TBG. Drugs producing increased TBG
include clofibrate, lithium, methimazole, phenothiazines, and
propylthiouracil. Decreased T3 uptake may occur in hypothyroidism
T4
T4 is one of two major
hormones produced by the thyroid gland (the other is called triiodothyronine,
or T3). The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located just below
the Adam's apple. This gland plays a vital role in controlling the rate at
which your body uses energy.
The body has a
feedback system that turns thyroid hormone production on and off. When the
level of T4 in the bloodstream decreases, the hypothalamus (an organ in the
brain) releases thyrotropin releasing hormone, which stimulates the
pituitary gland (an organ below the hypothalamus) to release
thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which in turn stimulates the thyroid
gland to make and/or release more T4. As blood concentrations of T4
increase, the amount of TSH released decreases.
T4 makes up nearly all
of what we call thyroid hormone, while T3 makes up less than 10%. Inside the
thyroid gland, T4 is produced, bound to a protein called thyroglobulin, and
stored. When the body requires thyroid hormone, the thyroid gland produces
some T4 or T3 and/or releases stored T4 into circulation. In the blood, T4
is present in a free (not bound) and protein-bound form (primarily bound to
thyroxine-binding globulin). The concentration of free T4 is only about 0.1%
of that of total T4, but the free T4 is the portion of thyroxine that is
active. T4 only becomes an active thyroid hormone when it is converted into
T3 in the liver or other tissues.
If the thyroid gland
does not produce sufficient T4 (due to thyroid dysfunction or to
insufficient TSH), then the affected patient experiences symptoms of
hypothyroidism such as weight gain, dry skin, cold intolerance, irregular
menstruation, and fatigue. If the thyroid gland produces too much T4, the
rate of the patient’s body functions will increase and cause symptoms
associated with hyperthyroidism such as increased heart rate, anxiety,
weight loss, difficulty sleeping, tremors in the hands, and puffiness around
dry, irritated eyes.
The most common causes
of thyroid dysfunction are autoimmune-related Graves' disease causes
hyperthyroidism and Hashimoto's thyroiditis causes hypothyroidism. Both
hyper- and hypothyroidism can also be caused by thyroiditis (thyroid
inflammation), thyroid cancer, and excessive or deficient production of TSH.
The effect of these conditions on thyroid hormone production can be detected
and monitored by measuring the total T4 (includes bound and free portion) or
the free T4 (only unbound).
This is a measurement of the total thyroxine in the serum, including both
the physiologically active (free) form, and the inactive form bound to
thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG). It is increased in hyperthyroidism and in
euthyroid states characterized by increased TBG (See "T3 uptake," above, and
"FTI," below). Occasionally, hyperthyroidism will not be manifested by
elevation of T4 (free or total), but only by elevation of T3 (triiodothyronine).
Therefore, if thyrotoxicosis is clinically suspect, and T4 and FTI are
normal, the test "T3-RIA" is recommended (this is not the same test as "T3
uptake," which has nothing to do with the amount of T3 in the patient's
serum).
T4 is decreased in hypothyroidism and in euthyroid states
characterized by decreased TBG. A separate test for "T4" is available, but
it is not usually necessary for the diagnosis of functional thyroid
disorders.
T7 (FTI)
This is a convenient parameter with mathematically accounts for the
reciprocal effects of T4 and T3 uptake to give a single figure which
correlates with free T4. Therefore, increased FTI is seen in
hyperthyroidism, and decreased FTI is seen in hypothyroidism. Early cases of
hyperthyroidism may be expressed only by decreased thyroid stimulation
hormone (TSH) with normal FTI.
This test measures the
amount of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in your blood. TSH is produced
by the pituitary gland, a tiny organ located below the brain and behind the
sinus cavities. It is part of the body’s feedback system to maintain stable
amounts of the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) in
the blood. Thyroid hormones help control the rate at which the body uses
energy. When concentrations decrease in the blood, the hypothalamus (an
organ in the brain) releases thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH). This
stimulates the release of TSH by the pituitary gland, and then TSH in turn
stimulates the production and release of T4 and T3 by the thyroid gland, a
small butterfly-shaped gland that lies flat against the windpipe. When all
three organs are functioning normally, thyroid production turns on and off
to maintain blood thyroid hormone levels.
If there is pituitary
dysfunction, then increased or decreased amounts of TSH may result. If TSH
concentrations are increased, the thyroid will make and release
inappropriate amounts of T4 and T3 and the patient may experience symptoms
associated with hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), such as rapid heart
rate, weight loss, nervousness, hand tremors, irritated eyes, and difficulty
sleeping. If there is decreased production of thyroid hormones
(hypothyroidism), then the patient may experience symptoms such as weight
gain, dry skin, constipation, cold intolerance, and fatigue. In addition to
pituitary dysfunction, hyper- or hypothyroidism can occur if there is a
problem with the hypothalamus (insufficient or excessive TRH). They may also
occur with a variety of thyroid diseases that affect thyroid hormone
production regardless of the amount of TSH present in the blood
Early cases of hypothyroidism may be
expressed only by increased TSH with normal T7 FTI. Currently, the method of
choice for screening for both hyper- and hypothyroidism is the serum TSH.
Modern methodologies ("ultra sensitive TSH") allow accurate determination of
the very low concentrations of TSH at the physiological cutoff between the
normal and hyperthyroid states
TSH has been recognized as an exquisitely sensitive indicator of thyroid
status. TSH assays (second or third generation) have therefore been widely
adopted as the front-line thyroid function test. In ambulatory patients with
intact hypothalamic and pituitary function, a normal TSH result excludes
hypo or hyperthyroidism; whereas elevated and suppressed TSH results are
diagnostic of hypo and hyperthyroidism, respectively.
Go back
|
|
TESTOSTERONE
|
Testosterone is a
steroid hormone (androgen) made by the testes in males. Its production
is stimulated and controlled by luteinizing hormone (LH), which is
manufactured in the pituitary gland. In males, testosterone stimulates
development of secondary sex characteristics, including enlargement of
the penis, growth of body hair and muscle, and a deepening voice. It is
present in large amounts in males during puberty and in adult males to
regulate the sex drive and maintain muscle mass. Testosterone is also
produced by the adrenal glands in both males and females and, in small
amounts, by the ovaries in females. In women, testosterone is converted
to estradiol, the main sex hormone in females.
In males, the testes produce the majority of the
circulating testosterone. The pituitary hormone LH stimulates the
testicular Leydig cells to produce testosterone. In females, the ovaries
produce the majority of the testosterone.
Testosterone levels are obtained in women to help
evaluate excess hair growth, virilization (male body characteristics),
and irregular menstrual periods. |
|
HIRSUTISM PANEL
|
|
DHEA -
TESTOSTERONE - ANDROSTENEDIONE |
|
DHEA
DHEAS may be ordered, along with other hormones, whenever excess (or
more rarely deficient) androgen production is suspected and/or when your
doctor wants to evaluate your adrenal gland function.
It may be measured when a woman presents with symptoms such as:hirsutism, alopecia(hair loss), amenorrhea, infertility, acne,
increased muscularity, and decreased breast size. It may also be
ordered when a young girl shows signs of virilization, such as hirsutism,
a deep voice, or when a female infant has ambiguous genitalia wherein
the clitoris is overgrown, but the internal female organs usually appear
normal.
DHEAS may also be measured when young boys show signs of precocious
puberty - the development of: a deeper voice, pubic hair, muscularity,
and an enlarged penis well before the age of normal puberty.
DHEAS, testosterone, and several
other androgens are used to evaluate adrenal function and to distinguish
between androgen secreting adrenal conditions from those that originate
in the ovary or testes.
Low
levels of DHEAS may be due to adrenal dysfunction or hypopituitarism - a
condition that causes decreased levels of the pituitary hormones that
regulate the production and secretion of adrenal hormones. Normal DHEAS
levels, along with other normal androgen levels, may indicate that the
adrenal gland is functioning normally, or (more rarely) that the adrenal
tumor or cancer present is not secreting hormones. Normal levels of DHEAS may be seen with PCOS (Polycistic Ovarian Syndrome), as this
disorder is usually related to ovarian androgen production (primarily
testosterone).
Elevated levels of DHEAS, in conjunction with elevations in such tests
as 17-ketosteroids (which measures androgen metabolites in urine) and
17-OH progesterone may indicate an adrenocortical tumor, adrenal cancer,
or adrenal hyperplasia. Increased levels of DHEAS usually indicate the
need for further testing to pinpoint the cause of the hormone imbalance,
but do not often stand alone for diagnostic purposes.
DHEAS concentrations peak after puberty, and then, like other male and
female hormones, the levels tend to decline as we age.
TESTOSTERONE
In
women, testosterone testing may be done if a patient has irregular or no
menstrual periods, is having difficulty getting pregnant, or appears to
have masculine features, such as facial and body hair, male pattern
baldness, and a low voice. Testosterone levels can rise because of
tumors that develop in either the ovary or adrenal gland or because of
other conditions, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
ANDROSTENEDIONE
A
steroid that produces masculine characteristics and is produced by the
testis, adrenal cortex and ovaries. This hormone test is used also to
help determine whether hormone overproduction may be due to PCOS, an
adrenal or ovarian tumor, or an overgrowth in adrenal tissue (adrenal
hyperplasia).
Go back
|
|
|
| |
The information provided on this site is
for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for
advice from your physician or other health care professional or any
information contained on or in any product label or packaging. You
should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment
of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other
treatment. You should consult with a healthcare professional before
starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking
any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health
problem. You should not stop taking any medication without first
consulting your physician.
Affiliate - Cleveland
Clinic & University Hospital Network
|
|
|
|
|
