Estrogen, Testosterone, and the Dutch Hormone Test
In this article, you will learn about:
Estrogen in men and women
Testosterone in men and women
How the Dutch Test supports your health
Supplements to help balance your hormones
WHAT IS ESTROGEN?
Traditionally, estrogen has been considered to be a female sex hormone. However, all human bodies require estrogen to function correctly. Estradiol, the predominant form of estrogen, also plays a critical role in male sexual function. Estradiol in men is essential for modulating libido, erectile function, and spermatogenesis.
Estrogen is a category of sex hormone. There are three major endogenous estrogens that have such hormonal activity including estrone, estradiol, and estriol.
The Dutch hormone testing was developed to improve on available hormone testing options. DUTCH offers the most extensive profile of sex and adrenal hormones along with their metabolites.
These include: E1, E2, E3, 2-OH-E1, 4-OH-E1, 16-OH-E1, 2-Methoxy-E1, 2-Methoxy-E2, 2-OH-E2, 4-OH-E2
HIGH LEVELS OF ESTROGENS
Females: Can cause symptoms such as irregular or heavy periods, weight gain, fatigue, and fibroids.
Males: Can cause breast tissue growth, difficulty getting or maintaining an erection, and infertility.
LOW LEVELS OF ESTROGENS
Females: Can cause symptoms such as Breast tenderness, Fatigue and sleep issues, Irregular menstrual cycles, Disappearing menstrual cycles, Mood swings and depression, Headaches, and more.
Males: Can cause symptoms such Fatigue, Anxiety, Irritability, Depression, Oversleeping or sleeping too often, Sexual dysfunction, Water retention, Bone loss, Fat accumulation
WHAT IS TESTOSTERONE?
Testosterone is a steroid hormone that stimulates the development of male secondary sexual characteristics, produced mainly in the testes, but also in the ovaries and adrenal cortex. But that's not all. They also influence other body tissues and bone mass.
This means that testosterone levels, too much or too little, affect both men AND women.
As always, it needs to be looked at in conjunction with the other hormones and aspects of your health to determine the correct balance for you.
What causes imbalanced testosterone?
Injury, infection of the testes, Chemotherapy for cancer, metabolic disorders such as hemochromatosis (too much iron in the body), or dysfunction or tumors of the pituitary gland to name a few. The other big one is an overload of estrogen. This comes from an overload of hormones that are fed to the animals we eat or from estrogen-mimicking compounds like plastic, which is everywhere. Soy milk is also a big offender.
The Dutch test is our number 1 test for hormones. Not only does it include testosterone and its metabolites, but it also includes other sex and adrenal hormones such as cortisol.
If you missed the information about the adrenals, please click here to read the article where we compiled all the information into one space.
MALE- HIGH AND LOW LEVELS OF TESTOSTERONE
“Science tells us that testosterone levels peak during puberty and then gradually decline over the years. Research shows that testosterone can decrease as much as 1-2% every year after age 30, with some men starting to see the effect of low testosterone as early as their 20s. As testosterone and DHEA levels fall, and estrogen levels rise, men undergo their own form of menopause, called 'andropause'.
Signs of declining testosterone levels include a decrease in muscle mass, abdominal weight gain, chronic fatigue, brain fog, and loss of executive function. Testosterone deficiency can be harmful to men's sexual health and self-confidence, enhancing the risk for mood disorders. Other factors that can negatively impact male testosterone levels like poor lifestyle habits, unhealthy diets, lack of exercise, toxic exposure, high visceral fat, and increased stress all accelerate this natural process.” - The Dutch Test
The DUTCH Plus® is a great way to establish a baseline understanding of testosterone levels and see if testosterone or other hormones are contributing to your present symptoms.
WOMEN- HIGH AND LOW LEVELS OF TESTOSTERONE
Too much testosterone in the body may cause irregular or absent menstrual periods. It may lead to increased body hair and even frontal balding and acne.
High testosterone also increases the risk of infertility and is commonly seen in those with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is an endocrine condition that is sometimes seen in women of childbearing age who have difficulty getting pregnant.
Low testosterone symptoms in women include decreased sex drive or decreased sexual satisfaction, fatigue, and low energy.
Hormone levels change over time, so it is important to see get the information to notice changes.
Gathering information from the body through testing and examining the results gives us the most information about how the body operates.
In other words, testing is a tool we use so that your unique plan is the most accurate. We have covered the Dutch Test, the most extensive and precise form of testing for adrenal and sex hormones.
Once you get the test results, we determine what supplements best support your healing and maintenance. In this article, we are featuring a few of the supplements that may be used.
Want to know what path is right for you? Make an appointment for nutrition, and I will go over your unique health history, recommend the proper testing, and design your plan! Simply fill out the form below. Keep scrolling to learn about a variety of supplements.
SUPPLEMENTS FOR SEX HORMONE BALANCE
If you would like to order or receive more information on any of the supplements you see below, please contact us via email or phone.
Testosterone Support
T-RENEW - Nutriwest
T Renew supports testosterone (T), a major hormone and endocrine regulator. T is critical for optimal health in males and females, supporting pathways from energy to bone/muscle growth.
Two Ingredient Highlights:
Tribulus terrestris (TT): An abundance of scientific literature demonstrates the effects of Tribulus terrestris (TT) on healthy sexual function in both men and women.
TT includes a variety of active components, such as flavonoids, flavonol glycosides, steroidal saponins, and alkaloids. One of TT’s most notable plant saponins, protodioscin, helps conversion to DHEA, conversion to androstenedione, and conversion to testosterone while supporting sensitivity to androgens and nitric oxide synthesis.
In addition to benefits associated with sexual function, TT is reviewed extensively for its support of the immune system, blood sugar, lipid levels, the heart and nervous system, the liver, muscle contractions, and many others, including the ability to enhance absorption
Maca is an adaptogen, and by the definition of an adaptogen, balances out-of-synch systems to support homeostasis in those systems. Maca is known for supporting both male and female hormone pathways, and providing health benefits for a wide variety of characteristics associated with sexual function, including libido, hormone levels, anxiety, postmenopausal imbalances, fertility, performance, cognition, urinary health, mood etc.
Estrogen Support
DIM-Evail by Designs for Health
DIM-Evail™ provides 100 mg of diindolylmethane (DIM), a compound classified as a “plant indole.” Plant indoles are also called glucosinolates, which are found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower.
They are among the nutrients responsible for the widely recognized healthful properties of these foods, including the support of a healthy estrogen balance and inflammatory response.
Female Balance - Apex Energetix
Female balance is a homeopathic designed for temporary relief of minor:
menstrual irregularity*
headache*
fatigue*
menstrual cramps*
backache during menstruation*
irritability*
OVERALL SEX HORMONE SUPPORT
Total Female
Complete all-around product to support the normal endocrine balance of libido, vaginal and breast health, normal menstruation, and menopause of women.
Three Ingredient Highlights:
Vitamin A (as cod liver oil) may help increase progesterone levels. It helps protect the tissues of the genitourinary tract. Vitamin A, is a powerful free radical scavenger, aids in maintaining a healthy immune system, healthy mucus membranes, and keeps the outer layers of sexual glands and tissues healthy.
Selenium (as chelate) is an important trace mineral associated with hormone balance. Selenium helps prevent the oxidation of fats implicated in fatty plaque obstruction of blood flow to the sexual organs and genitals. Deficiency is associated with sterility.
Dong Quai (root) enhances the effects of ovarian hormones. It is used to treat vaginal dryness, premenstrual syndrome, hot flashes, and other menopausal symptoms. It has effective ginseng properties to balance female hormones, improve circulation, relieve stress, and purify and strengthen blood
Total Male
As you can see in the label, there are many helpful ingredients in this supplement. If you would like more information on this or any of the supplements you see here, please send us an email!
Three Ingredient Highlights
Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid), a major constituent of the prostate, the seminal vesicles, and prostatic fluid, is a powerful antioxidant that protects other antioxidants helping to promote arterial health and preserve blood flow to erectile tissues.
Zinc (as chelate) is needed for prostate gland function and reproductive organ growth. Zinc Supports the concentration of vitamin E in the system which promotes circulation. Deficiencies are associated with impotence, infertility, BPH, prostatitis, prostate cancer, and high cholesterol levels.
Eleuthero (root) helps increase blood flow, raise sexual potency, and rebuild energy and endurance. It helps stimulate and regenerate adrenal and immune function and lower blood pressure. It is considered superior by Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat impotence.
If you would like to order or receive more information on any of the supplements you saw above, please contact us via email or phone.
Disclaimer: The information on this article is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this web site is for general information purposes only.