Hormone Tests: Check your hormone levels
Did you know that stress can permanently increase your cortisol levels? Why is this important? Persistently elevated cortisol levels can lead to weight gain, poor sleep, and even muscle atrophy! With a hormone test, such as a cortisol test, you can quickly and easily test your hormone levels. With Homed-IQ you can easily test your hormone levels from the comfort of home.
It is possible to test yourself for a variety of hormones. In addition to the sleep hormone melatonin, the happiness hormone serotonin, and the already mentioned cortisol, it is also possible to test yourself for common male and female sex hormones. Monitoring estrogen levels as well as testosterone levels can be useful in diagnosing certain health conditions or explaining unpleasant symptoms. A premature drop in estrogen levels before menopause in women can lead to missed menstrual periods and, even infertility. A testosterone deficiency, on the other hand, can lead to dwindling muscle mass and erectile dysfunction in men. Elevated testosterone levels can lead to menstrual irregularities, a deeper voice and a decreased sex drive in women. In men, increased testosterone levels can cause bloating, impotence, and hair loss.
What is a hormone test?
A hormone test is a (self-)test with which you can determine individual hormone values. This is important in order to recognize and treat any imbalances. Hormone tests are divided into two categories – blood tests and saliva tests.
Hormone blood tests
While you will find numerous blood health tests on offer at Homed-IQ, most blood tests for hormones are reserved for clinical and research use. This is because hormone tests often require more than just a finger prick blood sample and this must be transported to the laboratory immediately and refrigerated. At Homed-IQ you will currently find thyroid hormone blood tests on offer.
Hormone test saliva tests
A saliva test is far more suitable than a blood test for home use. The reason for this is that the sample material can be stored stably for several weeks without refrigeration and can therefore be sent safely by post to one of our certified laboratories.
Hormone urine tests
Hormones can also be tested from urine. A urine test does not analyze free hormones directly, but measures the amount of certain byproducts in the urine, which can help determine excess or deficiency of certain hormones.
What is tested in a hormone test?
A saliva test is also referred to as a salivary hormone test (abbreviated SHT). In a salivary hormone test, free hormones are measured. Free hormones are the hormones that are actually available to the body because they are not bound to different protein substances for transport purposes.
A salivary hormone test has many advantages. These include:
Cyclical hormone fluctuations are clearly visible
Only active hormones are measured
Feasible for people with protein excess or deficiency
Test can be done from home
When to take a hormone test
A hormone test is particularly useful if your hormone balance is affected by medication or age, if you are trying to conceive, or if you are experiencing symptoms that may be related to a hormone imbalance.