Hormonal Harmony Panel

The following is a list of what is included in the item above. Click the test(s) below to view what biomarkers are measured along with an explanation of what the biomarker is measuring.

Also known as: C-Terminal Insulin, Connecting peptide insulin, CPeptide, Insulin C-peptide, Proinsulin C-peptide

C-Peptide

Also known as: Cortisol Total, Hydrocortisone, Total Cortisol

Cortisol, Total

Also known as: Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate, DHEA SO4, DHEA Sulfate Immunoassay, DHEAS, Transdehydroandrosterone

DHEA SULFATE

DHEA-sulfate test measures the amount of DHEA-sulfate in the blood. DHEA-sulfate is a weak male hormone (androgen) produced by the adrenal gland in both men and women.

Also known as: Estrogen Total Serum

Estrogen, Total, Serum

Estrogen is a group of steroids that regulate the menstrual cycle and function as the main female sex hormones. Estrogens are responsible for the development of female sex organs and secondary sex characteristics and are tied to the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. They are considered the main sex hormones in women and are present in small quantities in men.

Also known as: Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Luteinizing Hormone

Fsh

Lh

Glucose

A blood glucose test measures the amount of a sugar called glucose in a sample of your blood. Glucose is a major source of energy for most cells of the body, including those in the brain. The hormones insulin and glucagon help control blood glucose levels.

Also known as: Insulin (fasting)

Insulin

Insulin is a hormone that is produced and stored in the beta cells of the pancreas. It is vital for the transportation and storage of glucose at the cellular level, helps regulate blood glucose levels, and has a role in lipid metabolism. When blood glucose levels rise after a meal, insulin is released to allow glucose to move into tissue cells, especially muscle and adipose (fat) cells, where is it is used for energy production. Insulin then prompts the liver to either store the remaining excess blood glucose as glycogen for short-term energy storage and/or to use it to produce fatty acids. The fatty acids are eventually used by adipose tissue to synthesize triglycerides to form the basis of a longer term, more concentrated form of energy storage. Without insulin, glucose cannot reach most of the body's cells. Without glucose, the cells starve and blood glucose levels rise to unhealthy levels. This can cause disturbances in normal metabolic processes that result in various disorders, including kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and vision and neurological problems. Thus, diabetes, a disorder associated with decreased insulin effects, is eventually a life-threatening condition.

Also known as: Progesterone Immunoassay

Progesterone

Serum progesterone is a test to measure the amount of progesterone in the blood. Progesterone is a hormone produced mainly in the ovaries. In women, progesterone plays a vital role in pregnancy. After an egg is released by the ovaries (ovulation), progesterone helps make the uterus ready for implantation of a fertilized egg. It prepares the womb (uterus) for pregnancy and the breasts for milk production. Men produce some amount of progesterone, but it probably has no normal function except to help produce other steroid hormones.

Also known as: PRL

Prolactin

Prolactin is a hormone produced by the anterior portion of the pituitary gland, a grape-sized organ found at the base of the brain. Prolactin secretion is regulated and inhibited by the brain chemical dopamine. Normally present in low amounts in men and non-pregnant women, prolactin's primary role is to promote lactation (breast milk production). Prolactin levels are usually high throughout pregnancy and just after childbirth. During pregnancy, the hormones prolactin, estrogen, and progesterone stimulate breast milk development. Following childbirth, prolactin helps initiate and maintain the breast milk supply. If a woman does not breastfeed, her prolactin level soon drops back to pre-pregnancy levels. If she does nurse, suckling by the infant plays an important role in the release of prolactin. There is a feedback mechanism between how often the baby nurses and the amount of prolactin secreted by the pituitary as well as the amount of milk produced. Another common cause of elevated prolactin levels is a prolactinoma, a prolactin-producing tumor of the pituitary gland. Prolactinomas are the most common type of pituitary tumor and are usually benign. They develop more frequently in women but are also found in men. Problems resulting from them can arise both from the unintended effects of excess prolactin, such as milk production in the non-pregnant woman (and rarely, man) and from the size and location of the tumor. If the anterior pituitary gland and/or the tumor enlarge significantly, it can put pressure on the optic nerve, causing headaches and visual disturbances, and it can interfere with the other hormones that the pituitary gland produces. In women, prolactinomas can cause infertility and irregularities in menstruation; in men, these tumors can cause a gradual loss in sexual function and libido. If left untreated, prolactinomas may eventually damage the tissues around them.

Also known as: "Biointact" PTH and Calcium, Intact PTH and Calcium, Parathyroid Hormone and Calcium, PTH and Calcium, PTH Intact and Calcium

Calcium

You have more calcium in your body than any other mineral. Calcium has many important jobs. The body stores more than 99 percent of its calcium in the bones and teeth to help make and keep them strong. The rest is throughout the body in blood, muscle and the fluid between cells. Your body needs calcium to help muscles and blood vessels contract and expand, to secrete hormones and enzymes and to send messages through the nervous system.

PARATHYROID HORMONE,

PTH stands for parathyroid hormone. It is a protein hormone released by the parathyroid gland. Parathyroid hormone controls calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D levels in the blood and bone. Release of PTH is controlled by the level of calcium in the blood. Low blood calcium levels cause increased PTH to be released, while high blood calcium levels block PTH release.

Vitamin D, 25-Oh, D2

Vitamin D2 ((ergocalciferol,) is found in fortified foods and in most vitamin preparations and supplements. Vitamin D comes from two sources: endogenous, which is produced in the skin on exposure to sunlight, and exogenous, which is ingested in foods and supplements. The D2 form is found in fortified foods and in most vitamin preparations and supplements. Vitamin D2 is effective when it is converted by the liver and the kidney into the active form, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.

Vitamin D, 25-Oh, D3

Vitamin D3 (cholecalcifero) which comes from animals. Vitamin D comes from two sources: endogenous, which is produced in the skin on exposure to sunlight, and exogenous, which is ingested in foods and supplements. Vitamin D3 is the form produced in the body and is also used in some supplements. Vitamin D3 are is converted by the liver and the kidney into the active form, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.

Vitamin D, 25-Oh, Total

Vitamin D comes from two sources: endogenous, which is produced in the skin on exposure to sunlight, and exogenous, which is ingested in foods and supplements. The chemical structures of the types of vitamin D are slightly different, and they are named vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol, which comes from plants) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol, which comes from animals). The D2 form is found in fortified foods and in most vitamin preparations and supplements. Vitamin D3 is the form produced in the body and is also used in some supplements. Vitamin D2 and D3 are equally effective when they are converted by the liver and the kidney into the active form, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.

Vitamin D, 25-Oh, Total

Vitamin D comes from two sources: endogenous, which is produced in the skin on exposure to sunlight, and exogenous, which is ingested in foods and supplements. The chemical structures of the types of vitamin D are slightly different, and they are named vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol, which comes from plants) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol, which comes from animals). The D2 form is found in fortified foods and in most vitamin preparations and supplements. Vitamin D3 is the form produced in the body and is also used in some supplements. Vitamin D2 and D3 are equally effective when they are converted by the liver and the kidney into the active form, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.

Also known as: Free T3, FT3, T3 Free

T3, Free

This test measures the amount of triiodothyronine, or T3, in the blood.

Also known as: Free T4, FT4, T4 Free

T4, Free

The free T4 test is not affected by protein levels. Since free T4 is the active form of thyroxine, the free T4 test is may be a more accurate reflection of thyroid hormone function.

Also known as: Testosterone Free Dialysis and Total LCMSMS

Free Testosterone

In many cases, measurement of total testosterone provides the doctor with adequate information. However, in certain cases, for example when the level of SHBG is abnormal, a test for free or bioavailable testosterone may be performed as it may more accurately reflect the presence of a medical condition.

TESTOSTERONE, TOTAL,

A testosterone test measures the amount of the male hormone, testosterone, in the blood. Both men and women produce this hormone. In males, the testicles produce most of the testosterone in the body. Levels are most often checked to evaluate signs of low testosterone: In boys -- early or late puberty and in men -- impotence, low level of sexual interest, infertility, thinning of the bones In females, the ovaries produce most of the testosterone and levels are most often checked to evaluate signs of higher testosterone levels, such as: decreased breast size, excess hair growth, increased size of the clitoris. irregular or absent menstrual periods and male-pattern baldness or hair thinning.

Also known as: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Thyrotropin

TSH

A TSH test is a lab test that measures the amount of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in your blood. TSH is produced by the pituitary gland. It tells the thyroid gland to make and release thyroid hormones into the blood.

TSH

*Important Information on Lab Test Processing Times: Ulta Lab Tests is committed to informing you about the processing times for your lab tests processed through Quest Diagnostics. Please note that the estimated processing time for each test, indicated in business days, is based on data from the past 30 days across the 13 Quest Diagnostics laboratories for each test. These estimates are intended to serve as a guide and are not guarantees. Factors such as laboratory workload, weather conditions, holidays, and the need for additional testing or maintenance can influence actual processing times. We aim to offer estimates to help you plan accordingly. Please understand that these times may vary, and processing times are not guaranteed. Thank you for choosing Ulta Lab Tests for your laboratory needs.

The Hormonal Harmony Panel panel contains 15 tests with 22 biomarkers.

Deciphering Hormonal Imbalances: Key Lab Tests and Treatment Insights

Hormonal imbalances can manifest through a wide array of symptoms, affecting various aspects of health and well-being. Identifying and treating these imbalances requires a comprehensive approach, including specific lab tests that can help pinpoint which hormones are out of balance. Understanding these lab tests and their implications can guide effective treatment strategies.

Hormonal imbalances can affect a wide range of bodily functions and can be caused by various conditions, making accurate diagnosis and treatment essential. In addition to the primary hormone tests like Thyroid Function Tests, Fasting Blood Glucose, and sex hormone levels, several other lab tests are pivotal in diagnosing and managing hormonal imbalances. Understanding these tests and their roles in treatment can significantly enhance patient care:

1. Thyroid Function Tests

Tests Include: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Free T4 (Thyroxine), Free T3 (Triiodothyronine).

  • Signs of Imbalance: Fatigue, weight changes, mood disturbances, and altered body temperature regulation.
  • Benefits: These tests can diagnose hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, leading to treatments such as thyroid hormone replacement or medication to suppress thyroid hormone production, respectively.

2. Sex Hormone Tests

Tests Include: Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone, Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH).

  • Signs of Imbalance: Irregular menstrual cycles, mood swings, infertility, decreased libido, and changes in hair growth or distribution.
  • Benefits: Identifying specific imbalances can lead to treatments like hormone replacement therapy (HRT), birth control pills, or other medications that help balance hormone levels, addressing the root cause of symptoms.

3. Cortisol Test

  • Purpose: Measures the level of cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone.
  • Signs of Imbalance: Fatigue, weight gain, particularly around the abdomen, high blood pressure, and mood changes.
  • Benefits: Can indicate conditions such as Addison’s disease or Cushing’s syndrome. Treatment might include medications to adjust cortisol levels, lifestyle changes to reduce stress, or surgery in cases of adrenal or pituitary tumors.

4. Insulin and Glucose Tests

  • Tests Include: Fasting Insulin, Fasting Glucose, Hemoglobin A1c.
  • Signs of Imbalance: Increased thirst, frequent urination, hunger, and fatigue.
  • Benefits: These tests can identify insulin resistance and prediabetes, guiding dietary modifications, physical activity recommendations, and possibly medication to improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism.

5. Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) and Calcium Tests

  • Purpose: Measures levels of PTH and calcium, important for bone health.
  • Signs of Imbalance: Bone pain, fatigue, kidney stones, or psychiatric symptoms.
  • Benefits: Can diagnose hyperparathyroidism or hypoparathyroidism, leading to treatments such as vitamin D supplementation, calcium supplements, or surgery to remove overactive parathyroid glands.

6. Vitamin D Level

  • Purpose: Although not a hormone test per se, Vitamin D levels can influence other hormone levels and overall hormonal balance.
  • Signs of Imbalance: Bone loss, weakness, fatigue, and mood changes.
  • Benefits: Detecting Vitamin D deficiency allows for supplementation, which can improve bone health, mood, and overall hormonal function.

8. Insulin and C-Peptide Tests

  • Purpose: These tests measure insulin production and activity, offering insight into glucose metabolism and potential insulin resistance, a hallmark of Type 2 diabetes and PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome).
  • Benefits: Early detection of insulin resistance allows for dietary interventions, medications like metformin, and lifestyle changes aimed at improving insulin sensitivity and preventing diabetes.

9. Prolactin

  • Purpose: Elevated prolactin levels can indicate a prolactinoma or other conditions affecting menstrual function or fertility.
  • Benefits: Treatment may involve medication to lower prolactin levels or, in some cases, surgery. Managing prolactin levels can restore menstrual function and fertility and address symptoms like galactorrhea (unintended milk production).

11. Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEA-S)

  • Purpose: DHEA-S is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. High levels can indicate adrenal gland disorders, including adrenal cancer or hyperplasia.
  • Benefits: Testing DHEA-S levels can help diagnose the cause of hormonal symptoms like hirsutism (excessive hair growth) or irregular periods. Treatment may involve medications to manage hormone levels or address the underlying adrenal issues.

These lab tests play crucial roles in identifying the wide range of hormonal imbalances that can affect health and well-being. Healthcare providers can customize treatments for hormonal imbalances by accurately diagnosing the specific type. Treatments may include medication, lifestyle changes, or surgery based on individual needs. Addressing hormonal imbalances effectively requires a comprehensive approach, considering the intricate interplay between different hormones and the body's systems.

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