Male Hormone Dysfunction:
Andropause is the appropriate term for what many people call “male menopause”. Male menopause is a misnomer because men do not menstruate. Instead men go through a gradual decline in the ability to produce androgen hormones such as testosterone, DHT, and androstenedione. Therefore, the term andropause refers to a physiological state in which the production of androgen hormones declines. The level of androgen production can be the reason why some men age gracefully and others will not. Andropause usually manifests in the middle age man, but young man in their late 20s may also have functional imbalances in their hormone physiology. Andropause is identified with low testosterone levels.
What You Can Do About Male Hormone Imbalance:
Optimal health is dependent on the balance of hormones, and not just a single hormone. Currently, Man with low androgen hormones can benefit from hormone replacement therapy. Also, man with imbalances in their androgen to the estrogen and progesterone can also benefit from hormone replacement.
Why Measure Male Hormones?
Measurements of hormones can be used in two general ways. - To estimate the body's own production-baseline test.
- To measure levels of hormones after supplementation-therapeutic monitoring.
If levels are too low, too high or hormone ratios are outside of expected limits, an objective treatment plan can be developed for the individual. Symptoms are not a substitute for measuring hormone levels because many symptoms may involve non-hormonal factors.
Using appropriate tests for monitoring hormone therapy is crucial in establishing the appropriate dosing regimen. This reduces the chance of undesirable side-effects and maximizes beneficial effects. For example, excessive use of androgens (testosterone, androstenedione, DHEA and testosterone deri-vatives) can activate subclinical prostatic tumors which are androgen-dependent. Monitoring is especially important in older males. By the age of 70, at least 50% of men have subclinical prostate cancer. These are especially susceptible to growth stimulation by androgens.
The Roles Of The Six Hormones We Test Are Highlighted Below: DHEA- is the precursor for both male and female hormones. Also, it is an anti-stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands. Unmonitored intake can easily alter the delicate balance between male to female hormones.
Androstenedione- is a week male hormone (androgen) and the precursor of both male and female hormones. Unmonitored intake in men can cause excessive female hormone production with minimal male hormone production. In women in unmonitored intake usury causes excess male hormone production with body & facial hair stimulation.
Testosterone- is the main testicular androgen and is a precursor to the highly potent dihydrotestosterone male hormone. Excessive amounts of testosterone promote hardening of the blood vessels, aggression, prostate problems and increase in total cholesterol. Low testosterone levels have been correlated with increased obesity, insulin sensitivity and increase cardiovascular risk.
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)- is made from testosterone inserted tissue the rate of its production is controlled by the level of free active progesterone. Excessive DHT causes prostate enlargement and thinning of scalp hair.
Progesterone- this hormone is imported in both sexes. It is a natural calming agent to our nervous system. It also keeps in check excessive DHT production and counter balances the effects of excessive estrogen. Unmonitored intake can need to breast enlargement, depression and weight gain.
Estrogen- is produced by both sexes in the fat cells. The more fat, the more estrogen which in turn self promotes fat deposits. Excess of estrogen can cause breast enlargement and contributes to prostate enlargement. In males, a certain low level of as estrogen is mandatory to balance the androgens.
What We Test & What It Tells You?
Using your saliva sample, the regular MHP™ panel measures six hormones: DHEA, Androstenedione, Testosterone, Dihy-drotestosterone, Estrone & Progesterone. The eMHP™ panel measures these six hormones plus FSH & LH. The hormone levels in saliva reflect the active tissue concentrations, while blood contains mostly protein bound hormones, whose active levels can only be estimates at best. Urine contains both the active hormones and numerous metabolites and can only be used to gain gross estimate of hormone production over time. Active fraction measurements from saliva are superior to blood and urine total hormone levels in diagnosis and treatment.
This Test Is For You If You Are... - Middle aged and having:
- impaired libido
- erectile dysfunction
- baldness and/or extremity hair thinning
- fat accumulation around the waist
- urinary symptoms: pain and/or frequency; urgency; interrupted stream
- change in sleeping habits
- lack of enthusiasm for life
- increase in bad cholesterol, decrease in good cholesterol
- your Dr. tells you that you have osteoporosis
- Young and having:
- impaired libido
- erectile dysfunction
- early baldness
- inability to lose weight
How Do You Benefit?
There are five distinct areas that you will benefit from using the saliva tests:
- They are affordable and less expensive than blood or urine tests.
- Collection procedure spares you the biohazards and pain of venipunctures.
- Results are more clinically reflective of your hormone status and needs.
- Results can lead to an individualized and customized treatment plan using natural hormones.
- You will minimize overdosing and underdosing. This will ensure that you use only the proper hormones in the appropriate amounts. With salivary hormone testing, guesswork is minimized.
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