Evexia Comprehensive Female Hormone Panel

Overview:

Some of the signs and symptoms of female hormone imbalance include irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, hot flashes and night sweats, persistent weight gain, hair loss, pelvic pain, fatigue, cold hands and feet, premenstrual syndrome, heavy menstrual bleeding, and breast discharge. 

 

This panel assesses hormone balance, overall health, and healthy aging by measuring specific hormone levels and other markers that can be indicators of hormone imbalance. The particular analytes addressed in this panel are the estrogens, testosterone, progesterone, 17-hydroxypregnenolone, pregnenolone, androstenedione, prolactin, insulin-like growth factor 1, thyroid hormones, sex hormone-binding globulin, the adrenal gland biomarkers DHEA and cortisol, FSH and LH, markers of glucose regulation (insulin, HbA1c). Also included are fundamental blood test markers such as the CBC with differential, comprehensive metabolic panel, an iron panel, a lipid panel, magnesium, and vitamin D. 

 

Estradiol is the primary female sex hormone responsible for regulating the menstrual cycle, skin elasticity, bone strength, and health of both the bladder and vagina. Estradiol is the most potent estrogen and present in the highest concentration in non-pregnant, premenopausal women. Estradiol is an excellent marker for ovarian function. 

 

Estrone is directly converted from androstenedione or indirectly from other androgens. Estrone is the primary estrogen in men and postmenopausal women. 

 

Estriol is produced by the placenta, with concentrations rising throughout a woman’s pregnancy. Increasing levels are an indication of the health of the pregnancy and developing baby.

 

Progesterone is essential for balancing the powerful effects of estrogen. An imbalance between these two hormones is linked to weight gain, insomnia, anxiety, depression, migraine, cancer, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, and osteoporosis. Progesterone is responsible for preparing the body for pregnancy and is used to establish the presence of a functioning corpus luteum and luteal cell function; to evaluate the functional state of the corpus luteum in infertility patients; assess placental function during pregnancy and as part of the ovarian function test.

 

Pregnenolone is a precursor to all steroid hormones including cortisol, and reproductive hormones. The formation of pregnenolone from cholesterol is the first step in steroidogenesis and continues along two paths from pregnenolone. 17-Hydroxypregnenolone is produced from pregnenolone through the enzymatic action of 17-α-hydroxylase. Levels during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle tend to be higher than during the luteal phase. 17-hydroxypregnenolone levels have been shown to be elevated in patients with idiopathic hirsutism. 

 

Androstenedione secreted into the plasma by either the adrenal glands or ovaries can be converted to testosterone and estrogens by the same enzymes in peripheral tissues. Androstenedione, predominantly of ovarian origin, is the only circulating androgen higher in premenopausal women than men. After menopause, androstenedione production is about halved, primarily due to reducing the steroid secreted by the ovary. Nevertheless, androstenedione is the principal steroid produced by the postmenopausal ovary.

 

Prolactin is a hormone whose primary role is to promote breast milk production. Typically, it is elevated in women during pregnancy and just after childbirth. In women, prolactinomas can cause infertility and irregularities in menstruation.

 

Insulin-like growth factor 1 is a hormone that helps promote normal tissue growth. Deficiency can lead to lower bone and muscle mass. 

 

Cortisol produced by the adrenal glands, combined with DHEA-S, provides essential information about the adrenal function and immune system function since the two systems are interconnected. DHEA is the precursor to testosterone and estrogens; therefore, the DHEA concentration will affect the concentration of these (and other) hormones. 

 

Free and weakly bound testosterone (FWBT), also referred to as bioavailable testosterone, reflects an individual’s biologically active, circulating testosterone. Elevated levels of FWBT are observed in female hirsutism. Decreased FWBT levels have been associated with diminished libido and loss of bone density. Testosterone in conjunction with estrogen is crucial in minimizing hot flashes, sleep disturbances, night sweats, and vaginal dryness.

 

The pituitary gland synthesizes both the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Each is clinically useful to distinguish between primary gonadal failure and secondary (hypothalamic/pituitary) causes of gonadal failure, menstrual disturbances, fertility, and amenorrhea. FSH and LH both vary throughout the menstrual cycle, with peaks at the time of ovulation. 

 

The liver produces sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), which transports testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and estradiol in the blood as biologically inactive forms. Changes in SHBG levels can affect the amount of these hormones available to be used by the body’s tissues.

 

Thyroid disease is the second most common endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age. When untreated during pregnancy, it is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, placental abruption, hypertensive disorders, and growth restriction. 

 

Fasting glucose (included in the CMP), along with the biomarker hemoglobin A1c, provides insightful information about glucose metabolism and, when abnormal, can be an indicator of prediabetes, insulin resistance, or diabetes. The A1c test evaluates the average amount of glucose in the blood over the last 2 to 3 months by measuring the percentage of glycated hemoglobin in the blood. The estimated average glucose converts the patient’s HbA1c percentage point into an average blood glucose level. Like HbA1c, eAG (estimated Average Glucose) evaluates a patient’s overall success at controlling glucose levels and helps patients understand the monitoring of their long-term treatment. It’s important to note that blood glucose dysregulation is related to metabolic syndrome, obesity, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Also, insulin resistance may be a critical factor in polycystic ovarian syndrome. 

 

The lipid panel measures overall cholesterol levels in the body. Lipids are various forms of fat in the body and include cholesterol types. Higher levels of low-density lipoprotein are associated with an increased risk of a heart attack.

 

The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) is a combination of 14 health tests. The 14 measurements included in the CMP provide a glimpse into the body’s health, metabolism, and chemical balance. The CMP can also help determine liver and kidney function and where glucose, calcium, protein, sodium, potassium, and chloride levels stand.

 

The Complete Blood Count with Differential helps to give an overall view of general health and screens for a broad scope of diseases and conditions, as well as the body’s ability to defend against infection. 

 

 

This panel comes with a free* Functional Health Report when Evexia Nutraceuticals are recommended.

 

*A $5 fee is applied when recommendations other than Evexia Nutraceuticals are selected.