Hormone Testing

There are insurance reimbursable tests out there that you can bet are have not been offered to you.

Did you know that we have three different estrogens in our body. And, the estrogen degrades into metabolites. Some of the metabolites are stimulating (not that way), meaning they promote the growth of breast and endometrial tissue. Other metabolites are weak, but said to be protective against the strong stimulating type.

It is possible with a blood sample to determine if you have a balance of these estrogens metabolites. If you are out of balance in the direction of the strong stimulating type, you are more at risk for breast cancer, if you don't have enough, you might be at risk for osteoporosis.

It is prudent to obtain hormone levels and for anyone on hormone replacement, even if the hormones are bio-identical.

In my Chicago area office, I draw blood for E1, E2, E3, DHEA, SBG,Testosterone, Progestererone, 2 alpha hydroxyestrone and 16 hydroxyestrone. I follow these levels carefully for patients on hormone replacement, or for patients at risk for hormone related cancers. I typically look for imbalances that might predispose someone to disease and then make nutritional recommendations to address the problem

more to follow......