EXPLAINING OUR RESULTS + SUGGESTIONS FOR OPTIMAL HEALTH
We tested our hormones with an at-home saliva test! Over the years, I have had my hormones tested via blood test by my general practitioner, to my dismay I could never quite have the results fully explained to me, other than “you’re good to go!” I know I am not the only one who has share this experience.
YOUR HORMONE BALANCE
USE MY CODE: LAUREN — FOR $50 OFF YOUR KIT
Thats where Candace Burch and Your Hormone Balance comes in.
“My mission is to educate and empower you to direct your own path to hormone balance using saliva test results as a guide to natural hormone relief and rebalancing.
-Candace Burch, M.A., Hormone Health Educator
In our rebalancing guides and/or phone consultations, we’ll cover everything from lifestyle improvements in diet, sleep, exercise, and stress control, to the judicious use of high-quality over-the-counter support supplements, herbs, and/or bioidentical hormones as needed.”
HOW TO TEST YOUR HORMONES
- STEP 1. Collect your hormone levels from home, in saliva
- STEP 2. Mail samples to their certified lab for analysis (w/prepaid shipping)
- STEP 3. Receive results + a self-guided rebalancing plan via email
- STEP 4: Schedule a phone consultation to learn how to move to action on your hormone health goals (optional)
- STEP 5: Begin your self-guided rebalancing plan
USE MY CODE: LAUREN — FOR $50 OFF YOUR KIT
I discovered Your Hormone Balance on The Skinny Confidential HIM & HER Podcast — Lauren and Micheal really dive into the subject of hormones and how they affect our mood, body, and relationships. So much information in this recording, definitely check it out.
HERE’S WHAT HAPPEN
Unlike a typical blood test, a saliva test allows provides a more detailed and accurate charting of normal adrenal function.
The main takeaways from my particular results were that my progesterone was a little low and I have some mild estrogen dominance. My cortisol levels are in range, but normal is NOT optimal, and since I am basically bio-hacking here I want OPTIMAL.
LET ME EXPLAIN THESE RESULTS (as best as I can)
ESTROGEN DOMINANCE
Estrogen Dominance basically means I have higher Estrogen, and lower Progesterone.
Estradiol acts mainly as a growth hormone for the reproductive structures in females. In addition, estradiol works in conjunction with progesterone during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Low estrogen levels can cause low libido or diminished sex drive and too much estrogens can cause symptoms of estrogen dominance. Estrogens have been known to contribute to the risk of breast cancer as well as some non-cancerous conditions like endometriosis and uterine fibroids.
I experience these symptoms, which can be linked to the Estrogen Dominance:
- Heavy Periods
- Bloating + Water Retention
- PMS (linked to low progesterone levels)
FOR MEN
Low estrogen levels can cause low libido or diminished sex drive and too much estrogens can cause symptoms of estrogen dominance. In males, estradiol is involved in sperm maturation and also helps to maintain a healthy libido.
LOW PROGESTERONE
Progesterone in females is known to be involved in maintaining normal menstrual cycles and early stages of pregnancy. Low levels of progesterone can cause abnormal cycles or conception problems. Low progesterone levels could also result in higher estrogen levels, which has been known to decrease sex drive and cause weight gain.
Progesterone drops before your period, Estrogen is low too, that’s when you get into PMS.
FOR MEN
In men, progesterone acts as a precursor to testosterone. As men age, the testosterone levels decrease, the estradiol increases,
and progesterone levels decline. Low progesterone levels in men can cause problems like weight gain, low sex drive, hair loss,
depression, or erectile dysfunction.
RATIO OF PROGESTERONE/ESTRADIOL
The ideal ratio of progesterone/estradiol ranges from 100-500 in premenopausal women, and 150-1000 in pre and postmenopausal
women supplementing with oral or topical progesterone (excludes postmenopausal women with low estrogen levels and women on
synthetic hormones (oral contraceptives or conventional hormone replacement therapy-HRT).
CORTISOL + ADRENALS
My cortisol levels are in range, but again, not optimal. If you look at the chart you’ll see a curve, that is displaying my cortisol awakening response. Your cortisol is highest when you wake up, and your adrenals pump out cortisol to get you through the day. So to optimize my results, I would want my levels (the black line), to be centered in between the yellow and blue line.
In addition to being called “the stress hormone,” cortisol helps in proper glucose metabolism, converting sugars into energy. High cortisol levels in men have been associated with hyperglycemia, weight gain, compromised immune function, and high blood
pressure. Cortisol imbalance is known to result in conditions like irritability, fatigue, depression, foggy thinking, weight gain, and bone loss.
Adrenals get taxed and overworked, this can lead to waking up in the night and not sleeping deeply because adrenals regulate sleep cycles and immunity. Adrenals will also steal progesterone to make enough cortisol, causing for me more of an imbalance. For this reason, my adrenals could definitely be in better shape!
TESTOSTERONE
Testosterone has an important role in maintaining bone strength, muscle mass, and energy level. In women, testosterone contributes to sex drive or libido. Menopause causes a significant decline in testosterone levels. Low testosterone levels can result in conditions like hair loss, reduced muscle mass, hot flashes, depression and increased breast size. High testosterone levels have been linked with aggressive behavior, acne, low sperm count, liver disease and heart muscle damage.
FOR MEN
In addition to above, testosterone has important role in maintaining bone strength, muscle mass and energy level for men. Testosterone is also responsible for growth and development of sexual characteristics, facial and body hair, increased sexual drive and sperm production.
DHEA
DHEA is produced by the adrenal glands and is a precursor to both testosterone and estrogens. DHEA is also a neurohormone as
small quantities are produced in the brain. It has a broad spectrum of benefits including improved energy, mood, memory, increased testosterone levels, enhanced libido, and immune function. In women, DHEA is known to balance other hormones like estrogens, progesterone, and testosterone. Low DHEA levels can cause weight gain, depression, fatigue, and low libido for women.
FOR MEN
To my understanding, for men, low DHEA levels may potentially cause low libido, reduced muscle mass and strength, depression, fatigue and compromised immune function.
If you know anything about this topic, I would love to hear your thoughts on my levels and what I can do to better optimize them!
