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MALE
PROFILE *
Hormones Tested with this simple saliva test:
Testosterone
Dihydrotestosterone
Estradiol
DHEA
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Reasons
to take this test:
Low Energy, Depressed Mood Decreased Strength, Low Libido
Overview
Hormonal balance is important to maintaining optimum health. Both physiological
factors, including age, weight, and depression and environmental
factors, including stress, diet, and alcohol or tobacco use
can alter hormone levels. Poor management of these factors can
disrupt hormonal
balance affecting health and well being. The hormones Testosterone,
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), their precursor, DHEA (DehydroEpiAndrosterone),
and Estradiol are measured to assess sexual function, risk
of disease and to monitor the affects of supplementation.
Testosterone
A hormonal imbalance can result in poor health. Low testosterone levels adversely
affects mood, strength and lean muscle mass. Men with low testosterone
are also more likely to have negative factors relating to cardiovascular
disease such as higher total and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides
and lower HDL cholesterol. Testosterone can be converted into
either DHT or Estradiol. Too much DHT or too much Estradiol can
cause side
effects in men.
Dihydrotestosterone
(DHT)
Dihydrotestosterone is formed from Testosterone in specific tissues and is a
more potent androgen than testosterone. Too much DHT has
been associated with causing Benign Prostate Hypertrophy (BPH),
acne
and baldness.
Estradiol
You may not be aware that the Estrogen Estradiol is found in men as well as women,
although it is found at lower levels in men than women.
As men age the level of Estradiol tends to rise. If it gets too
high it can
significantly increase your risk of Prostate Cancer. You
should check your level periodically to maker certain that
the
level
is within
the safe range.
DHEA
DHEA is the most abundant steroid in the body. It is a steroid
precursor produced by the adrenal gland and converted to Testosterone,
or Estradiol. Adequate DHEA levels give the body the building
blocks necessary
to produce the hormones it needs. DHEA levels have been
shown to decrease with age. Low levels are associated with
low Testosterone
levels. Additionally, studies have shown that low DHEA
levels are
associated with an incresed risk of coronary artery disease,
including heart attacks. Taking DHEA may reverse this risk.
It may also increase
the the anti-aging hormone known as Growth Hormone (measured
by IGF-1 levels). Optimal levels of DHEA help maintain
potency, muscle mass
and an emotional sense of well-being.
Summary
Monitoring saliva is an effective method to determine hormonal balance. It assures
the maintenance of proper ratios and end levels to
increase health and well-being. Patients receiving DHEA or Testosterone
therapy should
be carefully monitored. Significant variations among
individuals in absorption and metabolism of DHEA and Testosterone
exists
which can lead to suboptimal or excessive levels of these
hormones.
References
- Tchernof A, Labrie F, Belanger A, Despres JP. Obesity and metabolic complications:
contribution of dehydroepiandrosterone and other steroid hormones.
J Endocrinol 1996 Sep;150 Suppl:S155-64
- Cortes-Gallegos
V, Sojo Aranda I, Gio Pelaez RM. Disturbing the light-darkness
pattern
reduces circulating
testosterone in healthy men. Arch Androl 1998 Mar-Apr;40(2):129-32
- Swerdloff
RS, Wang C. Dihydrotestosterone: a rationale for its use as
a non-aromatizable androgen replacement therapeutic
agent. Baillieres
Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1998 Oct;12(3):501-6
- McClellan
KJ, Goa KL Transdermal testosterone. Drugs 1998 Feb;55(2):253-8;
discussion 259
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