How a Functional Medicine Clinic Tests Hormones
Hormones are an integral part of our endocrine system and regulate biological processes from conception to death. Our Charlotte-based functional medicine clinic tests these with purpose; read more about our use of the ZRT test and why we choose it to test hormones.
What are hormones?
Hormones are chemical messengers that are secreted directly into the blood. The blood carries them to organs and tissues of the body to exert their specific functions. There are many types of hormones that act on different aspects of bodily functions and processes, and they are essential to our well being at all ages.
How do you know if your hormone levels are off?
Simply stated, when hormone levels are off, we may feel off. This can be experienced by signals such as disrupted sleep, weight changes, body temperature feeling off, mood dysregulation, and more. While many people may assume this happens as you head into peri- or pre-menopause, that isn’t necessarily the case. Hormone dysregulation can happen at any point throughout life. Luckily, we have a solid testing modality that provides results that we can act upon with specificity to that individual to help restore hormonal balance.
Which test do we use for testing hormones?
If you have done research or even had hormone testing in the past, you likely have come across the DUTCH test. The DUTCH test utilizes dried urine collected a number of times over a 24 hour period to assess levels. While many other functional medicine clinics still use this, we have found that using saliva provides better and more accurate results—which is why we use ZRT Laboratory.
ZRT is one of the first labs to measure hormones in saliva, and helped establish the method that made saliva hormone testing commercially viable for health care providers and patients around the globe. Their extraction process separates hormones from background contamination to assure accurate test results for low-concentration hormones such as estradiol.
What does that mean to you, as the client? It means that we get a better understanding of what your hormone levels are. As you can see from this sample report, we get a look at what your levels of estrogen and progesterone are, along with testosterone, DHEA and even cortisol levels throughout the day.
Can I do this hormone test at home?
With the availability of more and more at-home tests, it’s a logical question to ask. Can you test your hormone levels from home?
Well in essence, you are testing at home. And actually, the test is very simple to do from the comfort of your own home (instructions come with the test, and our clinical staff will review how to do the test before you leave the office). But the beauty of the test is actually in the interpretation of the results.
Our providers Dr. Jorge and Anya Wallace, PA-C have decades of experience in dealing with hormone treatment and test interpretation, and for that reason, having someone like them assess your results is invaluable.
Our clinic combines functional medicine with traditional practices, which means that you essentially get the best of both worlds. We always try to address lifestyle opportunities to better your health. And in the case that medicine, peptides, IV hydration or even supplements can help, we are able to provide those, too. We have years of experience in administering hormone therapy which can be life-changing.
If something just feels “off,” don’t wait or just “deal with it.” The ZRT saliva hormone test is simple to do, and results are obtained quickly. Please contact us with further questions or if we can assist.