Hormones are complex and the first step to understanding is testing. Do you have concerns about your hormone health? Are you struggling to understand the reasons for your symptoms? Have you been looking for a comprehensive test you can easily take in the comfort of your own home? At Inner Reward we can provide you with saliva and urine hormone testing.
SALIVA HORMONE TEST
Salivary hormone testing is a reliable method to assess the levels of a number of important hormones, especially reproductive hormones and adrenal hormones.
Testing is via a simple collection of saliva, at home and NO NEEDLES.
A salivary hormone profile will be recommended if your practitioner suspects that your health problem is related to an underlying hormonal imbalance. The easiest way to correct symptoms associated with hormonal imbalance is to first ascertain the extent and the cause of the imbalance, then devise a management plan that addresses these problems specifically.
Patients that benefit from salivary hormone testing include those suffering from:
- Hormonal issues
- Fatigue
- Exhaustion
- Weight gain
- Mood changes
- Period problems
- PMS
- Insomnia
- Menopause
- Stress
- Cravings
Saliva hormone testing investigates all 3 forms of oestrogen. A blood test only looks at oestradiol. Elevated oestrogens can cause symptoms such as fluid retention, weight gain, migraines, PMS and over stimulation of breasts, uterus and ovaries, leading to cancer. Insufficient oestrogen levels can lead to hot flushes, vaginal dryness, rapid skin ageing, urinary problems, excessive bone loss and possible acceleration of dementia.
Progesterone enhances the beneficial effect of oestrogen while preventing symptoms associated with oestrogen excess, thereby having a balancing effect. While progesterone is a key hormone in women, its benefit for men in maintaining prostate health is also very important.
Testosterone helps the maintenance of lean body mass bone density, skin elasticity, libido and cardiovascular health in both men and women.
DHEA is a principal androgen in both men and women. DHEA levels decline with age and research suggests that healthy DHEA levels comparative to one’s age, plays a role in healthy energy levels, immune status and mental function.
Cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands in response to stressors such as emotional, mental and physical stress. Cortisol mobilises the body’s immune response against viral or bacterial infections and inflammation. Chronic elevated cortisol levels will suppress the action of the immune system leaving an individual more susceptible to infections and more susceptible to the effects of long-term stress.
DUTCH HORMONE TEST
The most comprehensive hormone test available to assess your adrenal and sex hormones is the DUTCH test – DUTCH stands for Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones.
For salivary and urine sampling, patients are provided with kits which may be collected easily in the privacy and comfort of their home and posted directly to the laboratory.
This test is an ideal test if you experience comprehensive and complex hormone symptoms. Hormonal imbalances can affect anyone – men and women – who have an imbalance with oestrogen, progesterone and/or testosterone.
Signs and symptoms of hormonal imbalance:
- PMS mood changes
- Fluid retention
- Cramping pains, back pains
- Heavy periods, or very light periods
- Breast tenderness
- Breast lumps and cysts
- Weight gain
- Extreme fatigue
- Depression, anxiety and irritability
- Cognitive difficulties
- Migraines and headaches
- Infertility
- Muscle weakness
- Loss of emotional control
The DUTCH test is the most advanced and comprehensive hormone test on the market. It measures your hormones and hormone metabolites (called conjugates) which measure hormone production and hormone breakdown.