Stress Check
Why should my hormone levels be tested for stress?
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) and cortisol are your body's
two main forces for coping with stress. An imbalance of these hormones puts your
body at a great disadvantage for handling the sometimes overwhelming feelings
that stress brings. DHEA and cortisol are hormones that serve as markers of
stress response, regulating how your body reacts during stress.
These two hormones balance each other to ensure a healthy stress response. DHEA
is anabolic, a constructive hormone that can boost the immune system, decrease
blood pressure, and helps to regulate sleep, among its many functions. Cortisol
is a catabolic hormone, a disruptive hormone that, in an unbalanced state, can
weaken and break down the immune system, increase blood pressure, and prevent
restful sleep. Cortisol maintains and raises your energy levels to assist your
body during that stressful period. Together, these two hormones work to provide
your body with optimal stress response and good overall health.
Low hormones levels have been shown to be the underlying cause for symptoms
associated with:
High Blood Pressure
Sleep Disorders
Fatigue
Anxiety / Depression
Irritability
These are just some of the major areas these two hormones influence. If you are
experiancing any of these symptoms or conditions, a simple diagnostic test such as StressCheck can help to establish the cause.
How does the test work?
Saliva testing is a simple, stress free and a noninvasive means
that allows you to assess hormone levels relative to your age and gender. Included
with your test kit are an instruction sheet, three collection tubes, three labels,
a biohazard bag with absorbent pad, a prepaid mailing envelope, a return box (with
biohazard label) and a health screen request form.
Simply follow the enclosed instructions and mail your sample to Great Smokies
Diagnostic Laboratories. Your results will be mailed directly to your home within
seven business days.
When do I collect the samples?
Saliva should be collected first thing in the morning (before
any hormone supplements are taken, if applicable) and again just before you go
to sleep.
Special Note
If you are taking Pregnenolone, Progesterone, Cortisol, DHEA,
Androstenedione, Androstenediol, Testosterone, Estrone, Estriol, Estradiol or any
other steroid hormone, please note the following special instructions for collection:
Make sure at least one month has passed since you started taking hormone supplements before beginning any of the HormoneChecks. Time is required before the hormone reaches equilibrium with binding proteins in the blood, specimens collected too soon do not accurately reflect hormone concentrations in the saliva.
The specimen must be collected 24 hours after last dose. Preferably, the specimen should be collected in the morning, before the daily morning dose is taken. If you are taking one of the hormones or supplements twice a day, consult with your Health Care Provider about reducing your dosage to once a day. Since hormones all affect each other, these two rules apply to ANY screen if ANY of the above items are being taken.
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