Hormone Level Testing: What You Need to Know

If you’re suffering from a hormone imbalance, hormone therapy could help you address the issue and start feeling like yourself again. However, before moving forward with the treatment, your doctor will need to test your hormone levels. To make sure that you’re fully prepared for the process, here’s a brief overview of hormone testing and what you can expect from it.

When is Hormone Level Testing Necessary?

Hormone level testing is recommended when there’s reason to believe that you have a hormone imbalance. Hormones are chemical messengers that play an important role in stress response, metabolism, and other vital processes. If your body is producing too much or too little of a certain hormone, it can lead to a hormone imbalance, which can have a negative impact on your health and your quality of life.

There are various symptoms that can potentially point toward imbalanced hormones. Common examples include weight gain, a lack of energy, reduced mental clarity, a loss of muscle mass, and mood swings. If you’ve noticed any of these warning signs, it may be a good idea to have your hormone levels tested.

How Does Hormone Level Testing Work?

There are multiple ways to test for a hormone imbalance. The kind of test that your doctor recommends can vary depending on your situation. For example, if they suspect that you have a testosterone or estrogen imbalance, they may suggest a blood test. This involves taking a sample of your blood to measure hormone levels.

It should be noted that certain hormones fluctuate throughout the day. As such, your doctor may need to schedule your test for a particular day at a specific time in order to ensure an accurate result.

If you take any type of medication, you should let your doctor know about it before you move forward with hormone level testing. Certain medications have an impact on hormone production and could therefore affect the results of the test.

What If the Test Shows You Have a Hormone Imbalance?

If the results of hormone level testing confirm a hormone imbalance, your doctor can walk you through your options for hormone therapy. This may involve performing injections in order to deliver the necessary hormones to your body. In cases where you’re lacking more than one hormone, you may be given a special cream. Once the cream has been applied to your skin, the hormones can simply be absorbed into your body.

Hormone level testing can be a necessary step for getting the unpleasant symptoms of a hormone imbalance under control. Don’t hesitate to speak with your doctor if you have any reason to think you have a hormone deficiency.

About the Author

Dr. Zinovy Chukhman is an experienced pain management doctor in Richardson who graduated from the Parker College of Chiropractic in Dallas. He is fully dedicated to helping his patients find lasting relief from their pain and improve their overall quality of life. Among his many services, he offers hormone therapy for patients with hormone imbalances. If you suspect that there’s a problem with your hormone levels, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Chukhman at Richardson Pain & Wellness by visiting his website or calling (972) 907-1125.