COMPLETE MALE HORMONE PANEL
The Evexia Diagnostics Complete Male Hormone Panel provides a thorough evaluation of hormone levels associated with overall health and aging, along with indicators that may reveal contributing factors to hormone imbalance. This panel also includes general health markers such as CBC, CMP, complete thyroid panel, iron panel, lipid panel, high sensitivity-CRP, homocysteine, blood glucose markers (hemoglobin A1c and fasting insulin), and adrenal function markers (morning cortisol, DHEA-S), uric acid, RBC-magnesium and Prostate-specific Antigen (free:total ratio) lactic acid dehydrogenase, and vitamin D 25-OH. Tests specific to this panel include estradiol, FSH and LH, sex hormone-binding globulin, DHT (dihydrotestosterone), and testosterone (total and bioavailable). In men, estradiol levels may increase over time and may be associated with cardiovascular risk, prostate disorders, and weight gain. In men, the follicle-stimulating hormone stimulates the testes to produce mature sperm and also promotes the production of androgen-binding proteins. Luteinizing hormone is produced by the pituitary gland located in the brain. Testosterone provides negative feedback to the pituitary and the hypothalamus, helping to regulate the amount of LH secreted. The majority (about 60% to 90%) of serum total testosterone is associated with sex hormone-binding globulin; this fraction is tightly bound and biologically unavailable to its target tissues. The remaining bioavailable testosterone is mostly bound to albumin, with only a small fraction (approximately 0.5% to 2%) circulating in the free form. Free testosterone is the form of testosterone that can diffuse into the tissues and act on receptors and is considered the active fraction by many clinicians. Free testosterone assessment is recommended as a primary or secondary measure of androgen activity in men (and women). The primary screening test for the diagnosis of hypoandrogenism in men is the measurement of total testosterone in serum in a morning sample. Low concentrations of testosterone in serum should be confirmed by repeat measurement. Determination of free testosterone can be of value in men with borderline total testosterone because alterations in SHBG levels can markedly affect the concentration of biologically available free testosterone. Factors and conditions that tend to increase SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin) concentrations in men include aging, hyperthyroidism, estrogens, HIV disease, anticonvulsant therapy, and liver disease. Issues that typically decrease SHBG concentrations in men include obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, glucocorticoid therapy, androgenic steroid therapy, nephrotic syndrome, and acromegaly. DHT is the most potent hormone among the androgens and is considered a pure androgen as it cannot convert into estrogen. It is formed primarily in peripheral tissues of the body, where it exerts its effects. Testosterone converts to DHT by the action of the 5 alpha-reductase enzymes at these target tissues. As with any other disease, a deficiency or an excess of the DHT hormone leads to specific pathologies such as prostate cancer, male androgenic alopecia, and benign prostatic hyperplasia.
About Your Practitioner
Melissa Rose, AFMC, CHHC, AADP is a nationally recognized functional medicine practitioner, educator, and speaker specializing in complex autoimmune and mystery illness. With over 1,000 clients served, Melissa is known for her innovative, root-cause approach to recovery and her compassionate care.