Description
The HealthScope Full Cycle Female Hormone Profile monitors changes in hormone status over the course or of the menstrual cycle, by measuring the salivary sex hormones.
Saliva specimens are collected on specified days of the month (Day 7, 14, 21, 25 and 30) to provide valuable information on an individual’s hormonal status and the potential impact this may have on physical and emotional health.
Hormonal imbalance may result in a symptom picture which includes weight gain, mood swings, night sweats, disturbed sleep pattern, loss of libido and hot flushes.
Results obtained from the Female Hormone Profile make it possible for practitioners to individualise treatment in order to establish optimal hormone balance.
Testing can also be used to monitor the effects of bioidentical/natural hormone replacement therapy .
For post menopausal women refer to the Baseline Hormone Profile.
Hormones Tested in the Full Cycle Female Hormone Profile:
Oestrone (E1)
- Readily converts to oestradiol
- Levels increase following menopause, giving the body some oestrogen benefits
Oestrone (E1) is produced primarily from androstenedione in the testes in men, the ovaries in women and the adrenal glands in both sexes.
There is conversion back and forth between E1 and E2. After menopause E1 levels increase, possibly due to increased conversion of androstenedione to E, particularly in overweight people where there is more adipose tissue.
E1 has less oestrogenic activity than E2.
Oestradiol (E2)
- Readily converts to E1
- Responsible for development of secondary sex characteristics
- Increases fat stores
- Required for maturation of long bones
- Improves memory
- Protection against heart disease
Oestradiol (E2) is the most potent of the three oestrogens. E2 is produced mainly by the ovaries, with secondary production by the adrenal glands.
Oestriol (E3)
- Produced almost exclusively during pregnancy
- Topically may relieve postmenopausal vaginal atrophy and urinary incontinence
E3 is less potent than E1 and E2.
Progesterone (P4)
- Maintains uterus during pregnancy
- Prepares breasts for lactation
- Decreases oestrogen receptor synthesis
- Improves oestrogen receptor sensitivity
- Promotes cell differentiation
- Enhances mood and has a calming effect
- Reduces symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Progesterone (P4) is produced from pregnenolone . P4 induces the cyclic changes in the endometrium that allows for implantation of a fertilised egg. It is also responsible for the maintenance of the uterus during pregnancy, suppression of uterine contractions and preparation of the breasts for lactation.
Measurement of P4 is useful in numerous conditions such as PMS, infertility, depression and/ or to monitor supplemental progesterone .
Testosterone (TT)
- Builds muscle and promotes muscle tone
- Increases libido
- Helps strengthen bones
- Reduces depression
- Protects against heart disease
Testosterone is produced mainly by the testes in men, the ovaries in women and the adrenal glands in both sexes. Testosterone is synthesised from androstenedione, a metabolite of DHEA and progesterone.
Throughout most of the reproductive years, approximately 10-20 times more testosterone is produced in men than in women.
DHEA-S
- Helps protect against heart disease
- Enhances immune system
- May increase energy levels, libido and memory
- Protects against the effects of stress
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is produced primarily in the adrenal glands from the steroid precursor pregnenolone. DHEA is the main precursor for oestradiol and testosterone. The body quickly converts DHEA to DHEA-Sulfate (DHEA-S). DHEA-S is a weaker androgen than testosterone.
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 send you a package including collection bottles and instructions.
Using the appropriate envelope you send the specimens to our pathology centre.
Analysis of your samples 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.
Why do we Recommend Saliva Testing over Blood Testing for Hormonal Levels?
Saliva testing has been used to measure hormones since the late 1960s and has many advantages over serum testing. The most significant feature of saliva testing is that it reflects the non-protein bound ‘free’ fraction of hormones at a given point of time.
As steroid hormones are predominantly bound to carrier proteins (cortisol binding protein, sex hormone binding globulin and albumin) in the blood, the unbound fraction is considered more readily available to the cells of the body. It is these ‘free’ hormones that best reflect a patient’s hormonally-related symptoms, rather than total or bound hormone levels (as measured in serum).
Furthermore, saliva testing effectively monitors the level of supplemented hormones as well as their absorption and utilisation. Studies indicate ¶?salivary progesterone measurements confirm applied progesterone is being absorbed, despite the lack of change in serum progesterone’.
Therefore, saliva testing can influence supplementation dosages and determine if bio-identical hormone therapy is being absorbed.
Advantages of Saliva Testing:
- Saliva reflects the free, bio-available hormone levels (unlike blood which measures total levels)
- Baseline hormone levels can be assessed and bio-identical hormone replacement therapy can be easily monitored and adjusted
- Testing is suitable for both men and women
- Simple, painless, non-invasive, economical and can be done at home
- Specimens are sent direct to the laboratory without special handling
- Multiple saliva collections can be taken over a day or a number of weeks
- Hormones are stable in saliva at room temperature
- Transport to laboratory by overnight courier from anywhere in Australasia