Hormones Resource
Center
Hormone Imbalance
article syndicated from ZRT Laboratory
How do I determine whether
my hormones are balanced?
To get a general idea of whether or
not your hormones are balanced, you can take a quick
self-test by clicking on the Determine Symptomslink
on our website. Fill in those symptoms you are currently
experiencing to see if they are associated either with
a deficiency or excess of specific hormones. To be
absolutely sure, however, you can measure specific
levels of these hormones with saliva testing to determine
if they are in balance or out of normal range.
What is the link between hormone
imbalance and breast cancer?
There are many factors associated
with hormonal imbalance and the risk of breast cancer,
among them: declining levels of progesterone as we
age, and/or with removal of the ovaries in hysterectomy;
xenohormones in the form of pollutants and pesticides,
oral contraceptives and synthetic hormone replacement
therapy all contribute to an excess of estrogen in
the body; this condition is known as estrogen dominance.Since
estrogen stimulates cell growth, a predominance of
it especially in the absence of adequate levels of
progesterone (common in the menopausal years), presents
an increased risk of cancer, particularly in the breast.
For more information on this read What
Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Breast
Cancer: How Hormone Balance Can Help Save Your
Life; by John R. Lee, M.D. and David
Zava, PH.D. (Warner Books). You can also
call our 24-Hour Hormone Hotline (503-466-9166) and
listen to audiotapes 31 and 46.
I have breast cancer; what
can saliva hormone testing tell me?
What we often observe in breast cancer
patients is that they tend to have a distinct hormone
profile that shows up in saliva testing. We would recommend
that you do the basic panel + p.m. cortisol. This encompasses
estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA-S, a.m.
(morning) cortisol, and p.m. (evening) cortisol. This
provides you with a complete overview of your hormone
balance; extremely important information in regard
to breast cancer.
You are welcome to order a saliva
test kit from our website or call us at 503-466-2445.
If you feel comfortable, you can include a copy of
your pathology report for Dr. Zava to review. Be sure
to mark clearly on the included requisition form breast
cancer patientso that special attention is given. For
more information read What Your Doctor May Not Tell
You About Breast Cancer: How Hormone Balance Can
Help Save Your Life; by John R. Lee,
M.D. and David Zava, PH.D. (Warner Books).
You can also call our 24-Hour Hormone Hotline (503-466-9166)
and listen to audiotapes 31 and 46.
Will a hormonal imbalance
affect my endometriosis?
Endometriosis occurs
when endometrial (uterine) tissue migrates into other
parts of the body
and gets scattered in areas where it does not belong:
within the womb, the pelvis, the colon, and even the
lungs. When menstruation begins, the wrongly placed
endometrial cells dont have a way out and form into
cysts. With each monthly cycle these cysts gradually
expand, swell and bleed into the surrounding tissue;
this can be very painful, even disabling. If you wish
to do saliva hormone testing in relation to endometriosis
we would recommend that you test estradiol and progesterone
levels. We know that an excess of estrogen (estradiol)
is associated with overgrowth of the endometrium of
the uterus and that progesterone levels identified
through saliva testing may often be deficient in this
case. Birth control pills are also associated with
the problem. The saliva test can identify whether an
imbalance between these two hormones exists so that
you and your health care provider can take steps to
correct it. For more information, call our 24-Hour
Hormone Hotline (503-466-9166) and listen to audiotapes
31 & 42.
How can I determine my hormonal
balance?
Saliva testing is a simple and highly
accurate way to test hormone levels to identify whether
an imbalance of one or more hormones exists. For further
information about the importance of hormone balance
and your health, the efficacy of saliva testing, and
the hormones we test along with a Determine Symptoms
checklist and online ordering, please visit our website
home page. You can also order a test kit through our
office at (503) 466-2445.
I suspect I have a hormone
imbalance. My symptoms suggest this, but how do I
find out for sure?
Saliva hormone testing is a simple
and highly accurate way to identify suspected hormone
imbalance. You might consider ordering our comprehensive
test kit, which tests estradiol, progesterone, testosterone,
DHEA-s and Cortisol. This will provide you with a broader
picture of your present hormone levels, whether any
imbalances exist and to what extent.
What are polycystic ovaries
and what is their link to hormone imbalance?
Polycystic ovaries occur when numerous
growths/cysts develop on the ovaries. This is commonly
associated with a hormonal imbalance (estrogen dominance
and/or an excess of androgens, such as testosterone).
In many cases, these cysts are benign and can shrink
or even disappear when the hormone imbalance is corrected.
The only reason for removal of the ovaries is if they
are cancerous or if the cysts are causing pain and
do not respond to treatment. For more information call
our 24-hour Hormone Hotline at (503) 466-9166 and listen
to entry 39.
What is the link between hormone
imbalance and thyroid function?
Hypothyroidism or low thyroid is most
common in women during the perimenopausal and postmenopausal
years; approximately 26% of women in or near menopause
are diagnosed with hypothyroidism. In his book, What
Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause,
Dr. John Lee states that among his women patients the
taking of thyroid supplements was especially common
in those with estrogen dominance. When estrogen is
not counterbalanced with progesterone, a predominance
of estrogen can actually block the action of thyroid
hormone at the cell level. Saliva hormone testing often
reveals that women who are estrogen dominant tend to
have menopausal symptoms associated with typical low
thyroid symptoms such as: feeling cold all the time;
weight gain or being unable to lose weight; thinning
hair; sleep disturbances and fatigue; mood swings,
depression; mental confusion; hair loss and low sex
drive. If you are suffering with symptoms of low thyroid,
estrogen dominance may be a factor. Saliva testing
can establish whether or not this is the case.
What is the link between hormone
imbalance and uterine fibroids?
Estrogen dominance causes the uterus
to grow unchecked, which can cause fibroidstough fibrous,
noncancerous lumps, which can cause heavy, constant
bleeding. Fibroids can grow dramatically during perimenopause,
stimulated by too much estrogen in the body. Large
fibroids create estradiol (the most potent form of
estrogen) inside the lump, leading to more estrogen
dominance. Monitoring your estrogen levels through
saliva hormone testing and taking proper steps to maintain
a balance of estrogen to progesterone is especially
important during these years. While the average fibroid
is an undetectable lump in the wall of the uterus,
about the size of a hens egg, larger fibroids often
cause irregular bleeding and heavy, or painful periods.
In fact, fibroids are the most common physical reason
for excessive bleeding during menstruation. If saliva
testing reveals a condition of estrogen dominance it
would be worthwhile to discuss the use of bioidentical
progesterone with your physician to counter estrogen
buildup.
Note: recent information cautions
against the use of progesterone for the treatment
of larger fibroids. With all fibroids, hormone
supplementation should be kept as low as possible.
To learn more read Dr. Christiane Northrups book: The
Wisdom of Menopause (Bantam Books).
For more information call our 24-hour Hormone Hotline
(503) 466-9166 and listen to entry 43.
Article syndicated from ZRT
Laboratory:
http://www.salivatest.com/faqs/hor_imbalance.html
