By Lisa Bennett DURING our lives, a trip to the doctors for a blood hormone test is not uncommon. With the hope of answering a series of unexplained symptoms, to aide a diagnosis or to guide a practitioner in further prescriptive measures, most people will accept this test as a final interpretation of their presenting case.

Believed to be “gold standard”, most conventional practitioners will rely totally on this, and may even possibly assume both an incorrect diagnosis and treatment plan for their patient.

Hormone imbalances are associated with numerous symptoms and health conditions. Often a sign of poor health, they must be fully assessed and properly diagnosed to ensure a path to optimal health and wellness and decrease unnecessary suffering as well as prevent degenerative diseases.

For many hormone deficiencies, blood tests alone are inadequate. Most give only partial information on one or more of the steps in the chain of reactions before or after a hormone actually enters a cell. Tests that truly evaluate hormone levels are saliva testing and 24-hour urine collections.

But before we go any further, what is a hormone?

A hormone is a chemical messenger made by the body to cause a reaction of some kind. Its aim is to alter the activity of the cell that it is targeted at.

In doing so, there are multiple reactions throughout the body. Likened to a key and lock system, hormones are the key where the cells they are targeted to, are the lock.

Only one key should fit the lock, but with hormones this is not always so!

Hormones are made in the body by organs known to make up the endocrine system. The pancreas, testes and ovaries are most commonly known, with the pituitary, thyroid and adrenals also producing crucial hormones.

Progesterone, oestrogen, cortisol and testosterone are some of the common hormones measured. Women have the same type of hormones as men, but in differing amounts. For example, in females the testosterone level in the blood is 10 to 20 times lower than in males.

Hormone imbalances can affect the skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular, nervous and reproductive systems, producing symptoms such as osteoporosis, decreased muscle tone, depression, memory loss and a lowered sex drive.

Mild or moderate imbalances may produce mild or moderate clinically significant symptoms.

Aging is one process in which hormones decline or may become imbalanced. In the past it was thought this reduction was a normal consequence of the aging process. However, more recently an alternative theory has been proposed; that hormones do not decrease because we age, but rather we age because our hormones decrease.

Therefore, ensuring hormone levels are optimal will enhance quality of life by improving mood, memory, assertiveness, sexual function and muscle mass.
Hormones

Oestrogen is the collective term for the three types of oestrogens that are primarily made in the ovaries as well as in fat tissue.

Stress, poor diet and lifestyle practises commonly push hormones in the wrong direction. If you are overweight, have thyroid imbalances or eat too much sugar you are naturally increasing your levels and potentially risking your health.

In most females, progesterone is produced in the ovaries. It is also produced in the adrenal glands and small amounts in the testicles of males and in the brain of both sexes.

If you are not ovulating, you are generally relying on your adrenals for progesterone production. Interestingly, if you are severely stressed, you will be blocking your receptor sites for progesterone and enhancing oestrogen levels.

In women, variable levels of testosterone are made in the ovaries with the menstrual cycle, peaking at ovulation.

The remaining levels are made from other hormones DHEA & androstendione. Involved in maintaining libido, bone density, lean body muscle mass, strength and stamina, testosterone also ensures improved mood, memory and structural integrity of the brain.

Cortisol (as well as adrenaline) is secreted by the adrenal glands and is essential for life. Involved in a variety of functions, it has a fundamental effect on the regulation of other sex hormones, as well on food metabolism, blood sugar regulation and fat storage.

During stressful situations, cortisol is produced (at the sacrifice of progesterone) potentially leading to menstrual disturbances. Conversely, low cortisol levels may cause over secretion of testosterone, progesterone and/or oestrogen, all of which can lead to menstrual disturbances.

Cortisol also plays a role in melatonin (known as the sleep hormone) regulation. It is imperative to have a healthy balance for optimal health.

Thyroid hormones are also fundamental for health. Essential for keeping other bodily functions running optimally, full thyroid parameters should be addressed.

Most GPs will only order TSH for thyroid concerns; however this is only one of about five other tests that can be run. Complementary practitioners who specialise in this area are imperative help for patients with thyroid concerns.

Treatment options
Integrative doctors and naturopaths are well on the road to providing their patients the tools for reclaiming a greater level of health. Not solely aiming for “disease free”, these innovative practitioners are empowering clients with a holistic approach of healthcare to ensure a greater sense of wellness.

All facets of life are addressed – emotionally, spiritually and physically. All areas of life are targeted – diet, lifestyle, digestion, quality and amount of sleep and exercise and stress management (to name a few).

Provided with a deeper understanding of their body’s natural cycles and an appreciation of their innate functioning, clients will often improve their own health without the use of often unnecessary and harsh, prescriptive measures.

Thankfully, herbal and nutritional products are also available to be prescribed to improve and balance these concerns.

It is absolutely essential to understand the limitations of your hormone assessment. Blood is blood, saliva is saliva, and urine is urine. Each serves a unique purpose, but each must be respected for both their information and limitations.

Next time you have a hormone problem, which are you going to have?

Always consult your complementary healthcare practitioner who will assess your hormones accordingly and advise of a suitable complementary medicine treatment (plan).

To find a complementary healthcare practitioner and learn more about good hormone health, visit www.tellmeabouthormones.com.au


This article was written by Lisa Bennett. Lisa is Rosanna’s leading women’s health naturopath, herbalist, registered nurse and integrative medicine practitioner. Always using a complete approach, Lisa commonly orders salivary hormone testing with her clients. With an extensive 25-year experience in the health industry and through her own personal journey, she believes women must be supplied with the most accurate information to improve their health. She believes it is imperative women fully understand their own bodies, acknowledge the direct link that current diet and lifestyle is having on their health and the limitations of just a conventional approach to medical testing and treatment.www.rosannanaturopath.com.au

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