When patients have hormone-related symptoms, it is usually not a clear-cut case of one hormone level being abnormal, or even one hormone system. In fact, because of the role that hormones play as chemical messengers to wake up the genome in specific target tissues throughout the body, it makes sense that all hormone systems work in concert with each other to maintain a state of balance. This could be likened to the instruments in an orchestra playing together in harmony; when one instrument is off key or playing too loudly or softly (analogous to too much or too little hormone), the overall harmony is affected. In a similar manner, the adrenal, thyroid, and sex hormones work in harmony, and when one or more of the hormones in any one system become unbalanced, this affects the harmony or balance of the whole system. Symptoms common to hormonal imbalances in the endocrine systems are seen as the body struggles to maintain balance, but does not succeed. Without an overall picture of which hormone systems are affected, it is often difficult to know the best clinical course of action for correcting the imbalance.
Our hormone profiles include multiple hormone tests bundled into one convenient kit. Priced lower than the sum of the individual tests, these provide a more economical method to assess a patient’s overall hormonal status, giving a better picture of the hormone imbalances that are causing symptoms. Instead of treating a secondary hormonal imbalance caused by an abnormality in only one of the hormonal systems (e.g., low libido caused by low testosterone or hot flashes caused by low estradiol), you can address the underlying issues that lie at the root of the problem, and therefore, better guide your patients towards overall wellness.