Description
The Adrenal Hormone Profile is a non-invasive saliva test which monitors the levels of the stress hormones, Cortisol and DHEA-S, over the course of a day.
This is an important test to determine adrenal function in patients presenting with symptoms such as anxiety, depression, mood swings, insomnia, headaches, low energy, stress, hormonal imbalance, poor immune function, fatigue and dysglycaemia.
Altered levels of Cortisol and DHEA-S are indicative of acute and/or chronic mental and/or physical stress.
Prolonged stress causes increased secretion of Cortisol and can eventually lead to hypertrophy of the adrenal cortex, adrenal exhaustion and immune suppression.
DHEA-S is the main androgen in both men and women and its levels decline with age. Reduced levels of DHEA-S may result in fatigue, poor immune function, weight gain, increased ageing, memory loss and poor concentration.
Hormones Tested
¶?¶½ DHEA-S x 1
¶?¶½ Cortisol x 4
Cortisol
A normal functioning adrenal gland produces a number of hormones but of particular interest is cortisol. The adrenal glands of a healthy person produce about 20mg of cortisol each day which may increase to 200mg a day during periods of stress.
Cortisol affects numerous physiological systems including immune function, glucose counter-regulation, vascular tone and bone metabolism.
Cortisol is also involved in the response to stressors and is essential for carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. Cortisol production has a diurnal rhythm where levels peak in the early morning and drop to the lowest concentration at night. It is therefore important to measure multiple saliva specimens throughout the day.
During the early stages of adrenal stress cortisol levels are usually high. This may lead to weight gain, elevated cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, depression and anxiety, insulin resistance and osteoporosis.
During late stage adrenal exhaustion cortisol eventually falls to levels which are insufficient to adequately maintain normal physiological function.
Therefore it is important that cortisol levels are maintained at an optimal level.
DHEA-S
The second adrenal hormone of importance which declines during periods of stress is DHEA-S (dehydroepiandrostendione). An average healthy man produces about 30mg of DHEA-S a day, while women produce approximately 20mg a day.
However, during adrenal fatigue levels may fall even lower.
DHEA-S is produced primarily in the adrenal glands from the steroid precursor pregnenolone, which is produced from cholesterol. DHEA-S is the main precursor for the oestrogen’s and testosterone.
If production of DHEA-S continues to decline a hormonal cascade effect may occur resulting in abnormal levels of other steroid hormones such as progesterone, oestrogens and testosteorone.
Various diseases such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune diseases (e.g. Lupus), Alzheimer’s disease, breast cancer, thyroid disease and diabetes have been associated with low circulating DHEA-S levels.
DHEA-S levels also decline with age in both sexes.
How is the Test Done?
Purchase test as you would any other product on Emed by adding it to your shopping cart.
Once the transaction is completed Emed will post a test kit and instructions to you.
Using the appropriate envelope you send the specimen to our pathology centre.
Analysis of your sample is performed, raw test data is sent to Emed and further evaluated along with your clinical profile.
An individual, comprehensive and in depth report is generated based on your case history outlining your test results and how to implement the changes to improve your health.
Emed will of course provide continuing online support to help you implement your specific plan.
Specimen Requirements
Four saliva specimens are collected over the course of a day at the following times:
1) Between 6.00am and 8.00am
2) 12.00pm (midday)
3) 6.00pm
4) 10.00pm
The test kit provided contains everything required to complete this test.
Turnaround Time
The standard turnaround time for this test is 7 – 10 working days from the date the patient’s specimen/s are received at our laboratory.
If you would like to know more about the Adrenal Hormone Profile, please contact your Emed Practitioner Today!
