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This Friday, we are answering more great questions from the Hormone University community! Today we will be discussing what doctors are available to test our hormones and if hormone replacement therapy can help prevent osteoporosis! Please keep sending us such intriguing questions!
What Hormones Need Tested?
A number and variety of your hormones can be tested, and what one that you should get tested will depend on any symptoms you have and the reason that you want to know the levels of hormones in your body. For example, if you are wanting to get your hormone levels tested for menopause, tests will typically focus on levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), which increases during menopause. For potential problems with the thyroid, tests will most often look at levels of TSH, T3 and T4 hormones.
Who Can Test All of Our Hormones?
Hormone testing can be done in a variety of settings, including at home or in a doctor or physicians office. Specific doctors that conduct hormone tests are called endocrinologists, who study hormone-related conditions. Other doctors will also be able to carry out hormone tests, along with companies that can send you the appropriate apparatus that you need to take a sample of your hormones and then will send it to a lab. The pro’s and con’s of hormone testing at home VS a lab are discussed in more detail on our website, so make sure that you check it out if you want to know more!
What Hormone Tests are Available?
There are many different types of tests for our hormones, including blood spot test, saliva test, urine test and a blood serum test. A blood spot test, which involves collecting a prick of blood from the finger, and saliva and urine test can all be carried out at home. A blood serum test is administered at a doctor’s office and involves drawing blood. Blood serum tests tend to be able to test a wider variety of hormones, including insulin, thyroid, prolactin, LH, FSH, and other sex hormones.
What Causes Osteoporosis After Menopause?
Osteoporosis after menopause is common, affecting 10-30% of post-menopausal women. So what causes osteoporosis after menopause? It is caused by the changing levels of our hormones. Estrogen is responsible for promoting the activity of osteoblasts, the cells that make bone. As estrogen levels decrease during and after menopause, this reduces the activity of these osteoblasts and consequently, our bones become more brittle and more susceptible to fractures.
Can Hormone Replacement Therapy Help Prevent Osteoporosis After Menopause?
Due to the fact that osteoporosis after menopause is caused by a deficiency of estrogen in the body, and hormone replacement therapy can replace the hormone, it is effective in preventing osteoporosis. Studies have shown that HRT can reduce the risk of fracture and can be used to treat osteoporosis in menopausal women. Various hormone replacement options have been discussed on our website, so head over there to find out more information! Other common treatments for osteoporosis include regular exercise to help build bone mass. When exercising, keep in mind that only strength training and weight-bearing exercises, such as walking, running and stair climbing, will improve bone strength. Also, a sufficient intake of calcium and vitamin D is very important as 99% of the calcium that is found in our body is stored in the bones, and calcium is very important for building bone strength. We also need vitamin D, which can be absorbed from the sun, as it is essential for the absorption of calcium. Avoiding smoking or heavy drinking can also offset osteoporosis as these can increase the risk of developing the condition, and preventing falls.
Hormone University was created as an educational platform with the mission to improve hormone health through accessible knowledge and to advocate for social impact in our communities.
You’re not alone.
80% of the adult female population has experienced hormonal imbalance at one point in their life that affected not only their physical health but also their mental health. Coping with pain, infertility, anxiety, depression, body image issues, and, on top of this, judgment is the heavy load most of these women have to bear each day and an important problem we need to tackle as a society.
