Hormones are chemical messengers in the body that help regulate a series of functions, from metabolism and digestion for sleep and sexual movement. Women particularly have a series of hormonal fluctuations throughout their lives.
Your hormones can get out of the hit for a variety of reasons-some management, some life threatening-and if you expose some of the hormone-related symptoms, your doctor may recommend a full test group to help detect the condition and also to monitor the promotion.
Women often joke about their hormones but sometimes physical and mental illnesses box Really accused of hormonal imbalances. In this case, it is necessary to consult your doctor and try.
Why do doctors order hormone tests?
There are three main reasons why your doctor may order a hormone test (or test series):
1. To diagnose a condition
Your doctor may order hormonal tests as a way to understand the underlying cause of certain unexplained symptoms you may expose. Hormone test It is used to diagnose a number of conditions such as infertility, delayed growth, thyroid issues, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), menopause and specific species of tumors.
2. To continue monitoring the status
As soon as your doctor creates what your medical condition is, they may want to continue to test you regularly to monitor the effectiveness of defined therapies and constant changes in their health. For transsexual women, continuous hormonal tests can help monitor the way the treatment of sex hormones goes and keep the tabs in their health.
3. To view potential health problems
For specific populations, hormone tests can be used to control. Control is reported when you are looking for health problems before the symptoms occur. Pregnant women, for example, can be tested for certain hormones to determine if their child has certain fetal health problems. Hormonal examination can also be performed to test pregnancy before someone enters for surgery, hospitalization or imprisonment.
Do I need hormonal tests?
If you are thinking hormonal tests, the first thing is to consult your doctor. The primary care doctor or the gynecologist will ask a series of questions about your general health and the symptoms you are experiencing. May refer you to a hormonal specialistKnown as an endocrinologist for further care. After the doctor gets a general sense of condition, they will order tests specifically for the conditions they suspect. Below we analyze some common symptoms that may mark hormonal imbalances.
Symptoms of hormonal imbalances
Irregular menstrual
Sometimes you can skip the periods Due to stress, travel or low body fat, but if your menstrual cycle is suddenly disturbed or changed from being extremely regular, it can be a sign of hormonal issues. If you are not close to the age of menopause and the missing is excluded, you should chat with your doctor.
Hair changes
Hormonal imbalances can cause a host of results In your hair, from dilution to the head, legs and pubic region to excessive hair growth (Hirsutism) on your face. Increased testosterone, PCOS or menopause are all the usual guilty behind the hair of the chin or mustache. A drop in estrogen during menopause can also cause hair drop or delay hair growth. A lower or thyroid overactive can also lead to hair loss.
Acne
Pcos And thyroid imbalances can lead to unusually high levels of male hormones (such as testosterone) that can lead to severe acne. If you have a sudden, persistent acne flame, it may be worth trying your hormone levels.
Inexplicable weight fluctuations
Sudden weight gain or loss without any conscious change in your habits may be due to hormonal issues such as an abnormal thyroid gland, menopause or PCOS.
Hot flashes and night sweats
Hot flashes and night sweats are a well -known symptom of estrogen levels that accompany periphery or postmenopausal but may also be side effect of certain treatments and drugs.
Vaginal dryness
Vaginal dryness is a common symptom of menopause, but there are other conditions that can cause estrogen levels. If you live persistent dryness of the vagina Despite the sense of sexual arousal, it may be due to low estrogen levels.
Common types of hormones that your doctor may try
Female hormone tests It usually involves blood training to test one or more hormones and the levels inside your body. Although home testing is available, blood design is the gold standard. If they suspect that hormonal imbalance is the root of your symptoms, your doctor may request a group of the following types of hormones.
Estrogen
Estrogen is known as “female hormone”, though men also have it- at significantly lower levels. Estrogen regulates the menstrual cycle, bones, brain, metabolism, heart and skin, so estrogen imbalance can lead to a wide range of symptoms.
Testosterone
Testosterone is associated with men, but females also produce it in smaller quantities. Testosterone in females helps with bones and muscle strength, fat metabolism, brain function, sexual movement and energy levels.
Progesterone
Progesterone is a hormone that helps the body prepare for pregnancy by thickening the lining of the uterus to implant the fertilized egg. It also has other functions, such as mood stabilization, blood pressure regulation, memory and thought and sleep circles.
Thyroid hormones
The thyroid gland is a small butterfly -shaped gland on your throat that produces hormones responsible for regulating metabolism. These hormones also affect body temperature, heart rate and brain growth. Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones and hyperthyroidism refers to an overactive thyroid gland.
