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HORMONE TESTING

HORMONE TESTING on https://www.forhealth.ky/

                     

  • FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone)

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Is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. In women, FSH helps stimulate the growth and development of ovarian follicles (unfertilized eggs) during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. At the time of the menopause, the ovaries stop functioning and FSH levels rise. During pregnancy, estrogen levels are high and this makes FSH undetectable. In men, FSH stimulates the testes to produce mature sperm. FSH levels are relatively constant in men after puberty.

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This test does not require fasting.

  • Estradiol

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Is the most active form of estrogen. It is involved in ovulation, conception, and pregnancy, and has effects on other tissues such as bone, fat, skin, etc. It is mainly produced by the ovary with small amounts being produced in the testes and adrenal cortex. Its production begins to fluctuate and lower in the years leading to menopause. Menopause can be confirmed by a decrease in blood estradiol levels.

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This test does not require fasting.

  • Progesterone

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Progesterone is a steroid hormone whose main role is to help prepare a woman’s body for pregnancy. It is produced by the corpus luteum and works with other female hormones to prepare the uterus for implantation of a fertilized egg. Levels are checked around day 21 of a monthly cycle to indicate whether ovulation has occurred. Low levels may indicate that ovulation has not occurred, and levels usually rise during pregnancy. Progesterone is also produced in men but at a much lower level and it is involved in the production of sperm.

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This test does not require fasting.

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  • Testosterone

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Testosterone is a steroid hormone made by the testes in men. In women, it is produced in small amounts by the ovaries and by the conversion from other weak androgens, levels are around one tenth of those in men. It is secreted in a diurnal pattern with highest values at 8-9am in men who work day shifts. Low concentrations are normally seen in women with slightly higher values during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.

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This test does not require fasting.

  • Thyroid Function Test (TSH)

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This test can help determine a thyroid disorder, which can affect weight, energy, mood, and overall health. The thyroid is a gland located in the front of the neck that plays an important role in your metabolism. This test may identify if your thyroid is overactive (hyperthyroidism) or underactive (hypothyroidism).

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This test does not require fasting.

  • Thyroxine (T4) Free

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If the thyroid gland does not produce sufficient T4, due to thyroid dysfunction or to insufficient TSH, then the affected patient experiences symptoms of hypothyroidism such as weight gain, dry skin, cold intolerance, irregular menstruation, and fatigue

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This test does not require fasting.

  • Prolactin

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In women, a prolactin blood test is indicated if she is experiencing infertility or irregular menses  or galactorrhea. Galactorrhea is the spontaneous flow of milk from the breast, unassociated with childbirth or nursing. This condition occurs in both women and men, newborn infants and adolescents of both sexes and fatigue.

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This test does not require fasting.

  • Anti Mullerian Hormone (AMH)

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In women, to assess ovarian function and menopausal status; in the evaluation of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or to evaluate the effectiveness of ovarian cancer treatment.

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This test does not require fasting.

  • Insulin

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To help evaluate insulin production by the beta cells in the pancreas; to help diagnose the presence of an insulin-producing tumor in the islet cells of the pancreas (insulinoma); to help determine the cause of low blood glucose (hypoglycemia); to help identify insulin resistance, or to help determine when a type 2 diabetic might need to start taking insulin to supplement oral medications

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This test does require fasting.

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