Function at your best - Why check your Hormones?

Do you have a hormone imbalance?

From metabolism to mood and libido, your hormones affect everything. Having a Testosterone test along with other hormones can offer valuable insights.

iMedical offer a large range of hormone tests that can help you understand how they effect your body. Find the right test for you below. Hormone tests are available for both Men and Women.

If you feel you have an hormone imbalance or just want to test your Hormone levels, we offer:

• Comprehensive hormone checks for Women to get a detailed understanding of the hormones affecting your general Well-being, Fertility and the Menstrual cycle.
• Comprehensive hormone checks for Men which govern Male Fertility and Well-being.

ETA for results 24-48hrs. Usually next day

Please see below some information on the tests covered in full Hormone Panels for Men and full Hormone Panels for Women.

TESTOSTERONE

Testosterone is a sex hormone that plays important roles in the body.  It regulates sex drive (libido), bone mass, fat distribution, muscle mass and strength. Free Testosterone is calculated from SHBG, Albumin and Total Testosterone. Free Testosterone is unbound to SHBG and available for tissue-uptake.

E2 Tests

E2 (Oestradiol), In men proper E2 levels help with bone maintenance, nitric oxide production and brain function. Excess Testosterone can aromataze (convert) into E2. High E2 in Men may produce Gynecomastia (enlargement of male breast tissue). 

iMedical also offer Mass-Spec E2 testing. This is the same E2 (Oestradiol) test as the normal E2 (Oestradiol). But is performed by Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS).

SHBG

Sex Hormone Binding Globulin is a protein produced in the liver. It binds tightly to Testosterone, DHT and E2. These hormones are bound to SHBG and are regarded as biologically inactive. All non-SHBG-bound testosterone (FREE Testosterone) is therefore considered bio-available for tissue uptake. 

PROLACTIN

The main role of Prolactin it to promote lactation. High levels of Prolactin in Men can cause difficulty in getting an erection, as well as breast tenderness and gynecomastia. It has other roles such as regulating the immune system.

PROGESTERONE

Progesterone is a steroid hormone whose primary purpose is to help prepare a woman's body for pregnancy. In men, low levels of progesterone are involved in the development of sperm. High progesterone levels in Men cause an increase in estrogen production. Low Progesterone in Men can include low libido, hair loss, weight gain, Fatigue, depression, gynecomastia erectile dysfunction, impotence· muscle atrophy (loss of muscle)

FSH - Follicle Stimulating Hormone

FSH stimulates the follicles in the ovaries to ripen several eggs. A follicle is a balloon shaped structure which is filled with fluid and contains an egg, FSH also stimulates the ovaries to produce oestrogen. In men, the Follicle Stimulating Hormones initiates sperm production.

LH - Lutenising Hormone

Lutenising Hormone is secreted by the pituitary gland to stimulate ovulation that is, the release of the egg or ovum from the follicles. LH secretion signals the remnants of the follicle to change into the corpus lunteum. The corpus luteum then begins producing progesterone and estrogens . In Men, LH signals the testicle to produce Testosterone. In turn, testosterone seeps out of the testicle and into the blood stream where it circulates around the body and is put to good use doing things like growing chest hair, making muscles big and deepening your voice. The brain monitors blood testosterone levels, if they drop too low, it will send a signal to the pituitary gland to send out more LH to kick start testosterone production. If testosterone is chronically low (as in the case with hypogonadism or low T, the brain will respond by upping the level of LH. If testosterone is chronically high (as in the case when using steroids or other performance enhancers) the brain will shut down production of LH. When testosterone supplementation is stopped, men can experience a “crash” as T levels plummet but the brain lags in re-starting the machinery to generate LH.

DHEA-S

DHEA-S is a male sex hormone produced primarily by the adrenal glands. It is also produced in smaller amounts in the ovaries or testicles. Elevated DHEA can be caused by adrenal tumors or, in some cases, ovarian tumors.

CORTISOL

CORTISOL is a hormone and affects many different functions in the body. Cortisol can help control blood sugar levels, regulate metabolism, help reduce inflammation, and assist with memory formulation. It has a controlling effect on salt and water balance and helps control blood pressure. Cortisol needs to be in the right balance. Too much cortisol from overtraining, stress, poor recovery or not enough calories will have a catabolic effect on your muscles, and a higher risk of injury. On the flip side too little cortisol will lead to fatigue, inflammation and you will have a harder time training.

IGF-1, GH

Insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and GH are two hormones that the body produces (and drugs can stimulate) that promote muscle growth, but like many hormones in the body there is a happy medium. Too little of these hormones is going to make it difficult to make gains in strength and size, while excess amounts can promote insulin resistance and in a worse case scenario increase your cancer risk.