What You Need To Know About Hormone Testing
Hormone testing can be used to assess a wide variety of conditions that affect us. If hormone levels are just a tiny bit off, it can have profound health effects on a person. That’s part of why we run a full range of hormone testing at our fertility clinic. Here’s a closer look at many of the hormone testing procedures and the benefits of having these hormone levels checked.
Testing Fertility Hormones
Because different male and female hormones can have an impact on the ability to achieve pregnancy, it’s important to use these tests to determine the likelihood of conceiving. Here are the fertility assessors that are tested for women in our office:
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH): This hormone usually peaks right before ovulation. It’s produced by the pituitary gland and helps to regulate the menstrual cycle and ovulation.
- Estradiol: This specific type of estrogen regulates the female reproductive system. If estradiol levels are low, it suggests that the ovaries are not producing eggs. Estrogen dominance occurs when estradiol levels are too high, can contribute to low libido, increased acne, constipation, and other problems.
- Progesterone: Progesterone levels can alert your doctor to whether you’re ovulating normally or having certain pregnancy issues. This hormone is produced directly in the ovaries. Levels should be low at the beginning of a woman’s period and at the highest level right after ovulation.
Checking the levels of all of these hormones will be part of any fertility test in Melbourne at Viera Fertility to help us determine your best course of action in family planning.
Testing Stress Hormones
Cortisol is also known as the “stress” hormone. A 24-hour saliva test is the best way to check a person’s cortisol levels. Increased levels of stress, and the accompanying increase in cortisol, can have a multiplying effect when it comes to the rest of your hormones because they are all somewhat connected.
If cortisol levels are too high, it can lead to weight gain, acne, difficulty concentrating, and fatigue due to a disruption in the body’s circadian rhythm. If cortisol levels are too high, it can lead to all these symptoms and more. If cortisol levels are too low, it can point to a problem with a patient’s adrenal gland function.
Testing for PCOS
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is another concern that can be tested for at a fertility clinic. A PCOS test can check for levels of testosterone in a patient’s blood. The ovaries produce both testosterone and estrogen in a healthy female reproductive system. If testosterone levels are too high, it can lead to ovarian cysts, which can dramatically impact fertility.
Testing Prolactin
Prolactin is a hormone that is closely tied to more than 300 important bodily functions, including the production of breast milk. Testing can reveal elevated levels of prolactin, which can indicate fertility problems in women who are not pregnant. Heavy or irregular periods and intense menstrual cramps are other signs indicated by prolactin levels that are too high.
Testing the Menopause Hormones
Here are the two hormone tests that can indicate the onset of menopause:
- Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH): When egg production is reduced, the pituitary gland begins elevating the body’s levels of FSH.
- Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA): This hormone is closely tied to thyroid health. Production of DHEA declines as a woman gets older. Disruption of DHEA levels can lead to infertility, menopause, and other health issues.
Types of Hormone Tests
Doctors at Viera Fertility clinic will use several different testing methods, depending on the type of hormone tests being conducting. Most of the body’s hormone levels can be checked through a blood draw. A pelvic exam or ultrasound may be called for in certain instances, to check for cysts or tumors on reproductive organs. If testing reveals something of greater concern, further testing such as a biopsy or MRI may be recommended.
Contact Viera Fertility in Melbourne, FL for Hormone Testing
We can conduct a full range of hormone testing for interested patients at our fertility clinic in Melbourne. If you’re looking to begin your path to parenthood, trust the experts at Viera Fertility Clinics to help get you on your way. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.