Let’s talk hormones

December 11th, 2017 by

We talked about thyroid testing and female sex hormones in previous posts. Let’s talk testosterone.

Testosterone is needed in both men and women. It is very important for those of us who are active and want to feel good. It aids in muscle building, recovery, a sense of well being, healthy estrogen levels (as testosterone converts partially to estrogen), and sex drive. This isn’t a hormone to dismiss!

To accurately assess testosterone levels and the supporting or affected hormones you should look at DHEA, Free Testosterone, Estradiol (yes, men too!), LH, & FSH. If you are of pre-menopause age or later, then a sensitive estrogen test that includes estradiol, estriol, and estrone become even more important.

This is just the basics. We can always go deeper into testing if needed. Many doctors act like these tests are not needed or are extreme situations but that isn’t the case. They are very simple tests and diagnose a very common problem.

Side note-
Ladies if you have spent a significant amount of time on hormonal birth control, testosterone is often taking a hit. Watch for symptoms and monitor your hormones.