This panel contains the following tests:

• Chemistry Panel (metabolic panel with lipids) - The cornerstone of any complete physical, the chemistry panel provides an array of markers to help assess cardiovascular risk, metabolic function, electrolyte status, minerals important for bone health, plus liver and kidney function.


• Complete Blood Count (CBC) - The CBC test evaluates three types of cells that circulate in the blood (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets). These markers help provide information regarding the immune system, possibility of an infection, blood disorder, nutritional deficiencies, your body’s ability to clot, and more.


• Free & Total Testosterone - Known as the feel-good hormone, testosterone helps maintain a woman’s libido, bone and muscle mass, cardiovascular health, mood, and sense of well-being. Testosterone in conjunction with estrogen is crucial in minimizing hot flashes, sleep disturbances, night sweats, and vaginal dryness.


• Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) - DHEA plays a fundamental role in hormone balance, as well as supporting one’s immune function, energy, mood, and maintenance of muscle and bone mass.


• Progesterone - Instrumental in balancing the powerful effects of estrogen, an imbalance between progesterone and estrogen is linked to weight gain, insomnia, anxiety, depression, migraine, cancer, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, and osteoporosis.


• Estradiol (E2) - The primary female sex hormone, estradiol is a form of estrogen responsible for regulating the menstrual cycle, skin elasticity, bone strength, bladder and vaginal health.


• Estrone (E1) – Estrone is a strong acting form of estrogen. Higher levels of estrone, compared to other estrogens, have been implicated in cardiovascular disease, stroke and certain types of cancer. Estrogen imbalances are also thought to increase the risk for many age-related diseases.


• TSH (Thyroid stimulating hormone) – TSH stimulates your thyroid to produce thyroid hormones T3 and T4. TSH can be used to screen for thyroid disease and other thyroid imbalances.


• Insulin – Maintaining optimal insulin levels is key to managing many of the symptoms associated with menopause and the years leading up to it, known as perimenopause.

Sample Report

The first step to achieving youthful hormone balance is to have a blood test panel that evaluates a woman’s individual needs. Continual assessment of hormone levels is necessary for women seeking to maintain a healthy hormonal balance.

Instructions

This test may be done fasting or 2-6 hours after eating. Both ways provide valuable information, though 2-6 hours after a meal provides a more realistic assessment of the state of your blood in everyday life. Stay hydrated and take your medications as prescribed. If you are supplementing with any hormones, we suggest taking them approximately 2 hours prior to having your blood drawn to see peak levels. Hormones are best drawn between 8-10 AM. Hormonal contraceptives can interfere with progesterone and estrogen results.

Pre-menopausal women: For a 28 day cycle, blood should be drawn on day 21 (day 1 is the day that bleeding begins). For longer or shorter cycles, count 8 days back from the day your next menstruation would start.

Post-menopausal women: Blood can be drawn any day of the month.