Hormones are secretions produced by metabolism to control certain activities in the body. They are also called ‘internal secretions’. They act as chemical messenger molecules between a cell or group of cells and other cells. They are produced in the internal glands (endocrine glands) and are released into the blood. Hormones that reach the target tissues by circulating in the blood show their effects by binding to special receptors.
What is a hormone test, how is it done, what are its normal values? Are hormone tests performed on an empty stomach?
What is a hormone test? What Do Hormone Tests Cover? A group of blood tests also make hormone tests. Hormones are signaling molecules that are involved in the functioning of the body and mediate a number of metabolic formations. There are hormones of various structures and functions that affect multiple systems. Measurements of hormones, especially with blood tests, are used to diagnose diseases and to monitor their course. Basal hormone assays that are used routinely are tests that can be performed at any center, but special tests (such as stimulation or suppression tests) can be performed at certain centers.
What are the different types of hormone tests?
T3: Total T3
It is used to evaluate thyroid functions. While it increases in hyperthyroidism (overwork of the thyroid gland), it decreases in hypothyroidism (inadequate operation of the thyroid gland). Patients with chronic illnesses or hospitalized for a long time may have low levels of TT3, even if they are euthyroid. In cases where T3 autoantibodies are present, TT3 may be high and TT4 may be normal.
T4: Total T4
It is used to evaluate thyroid functions. While it increases in hyperthyroidism, it decreases in hypothyroidism. TT4 can be high in people receiving thyroxine replacement therapy. In cases where T4 autoantibodies are present, TT4 may be high and TT3 may be normal.
FT3: Free T3
It is used to evaluate thyroid functions. In hyperthyroidism and T3 thyrotoxicosis (thyrotoxicosis = sudden rise of thyroid hormones in the blood), serum FT3 level increases, while in hypothyroidism it decreases. Also, people with chronic illnesses or hospitalized for a long time may have low FT3 levels, even if they are euthyroid.
FT4: Free T4
It is used to evaluate thyroid functions. While serum FT4 level increases in hyperthyroidism, it decreases in hypothyroidism.
TSH: Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)
It is used in the evaluation of thyroid functions and follow-up treatment. While TSH level increases in hypothyroidism, TSH level decreases in hyperthyroidism.
E2: Estradiol
It is the most potent endogenous estrogen in the body. It is used for monitoring ovulation induction and evaluation of gynecomastia in men.
ß-HCG: Beta HCG
It is used to diagnose pregnancy, to assess suspicion of ectopic pregnancy, and to monitor patients’ in vitro fertilization (fertilization in a special environment outside the body). It is also used in the evaluation and follow-up of testicular tumor and germ cell tumors of the ovary.
FERR: Ferritin
It is used in the follow-up of iron deficiency anemia, chronic disease anemia, thalassemia (Mediterranean anemia), hemochromatosis, and iron loading therapy. Although there is iron deficiency in the presence of liver diseases, ferritin can be found at a normal level. It is also one of the acute phase reactants.
Vitamin B12
Required for normal neuronal functions.
What is the progesterone hormone?
The hormone progesterone is a hormone that roughly prepares women for pregnancy and is secreted by the ovaries in a healthy, reproductive-age woman every month, in a cycle. Progesterone is produced when an egg is left in the middle of the menstrual cycle, that is, during the ovulation period. Progesterone begins to thicken the endometrium (uterine wall) to allow a fertilized egg (embryo) to adhere or cling to the uterine wall.
In other words, it prepares the uterine wall like a bed for the development of the embryo. However, if the egg is not fertilized within the appropriate period, the body reduces the secretion of progesterone and the uterine wall is broken down and discarded, that is, menstruation occurs. If an embryo clings to the uterus, again through hormones, the ovary is notified, and as a result, the ovary produces progesterone for eight weeks. After the first eight weeks, the placenta undertakes progesterone production for the remainder of the pregnancy.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT LOW PROGESTERONE?
Progesterone is important infertility years. If you don’t have enough progesterone, you may have trouble getting pregnant.
After one of your ovaries releases the egg, your progesterone levels should rise. Progesterone helps thicken the uterus while waiting to get a fertilized egg. If it is not thick enough, the egg will not be implanted.
Symptoms of low progesterone in non-pregnant women include:
- Headache or migraine
- Mood changes, including anxiety or depression
- Irregularity in the menstrual cycle
- Low progesterone can cause abnormal uterine bleeding in non-pregnant women.
If you are pregnant, you will need progesterone to protect your uterus until your baby is born. Your body will produce this increase in progesterone, which will cause some symptoms of pregnancy, such as breast tenderness and nausea. If your progesterone level is too low, your uterus cannot carry the baby.
What are the effects of prolactin (PRL) hormone?
The hormone prolactin has a wide range of effects and functions in the male and female body. Some of these are those:
- Providing milk production in breasts for women
- They have duties related to sexual desire and desire.
- Has effects on sperm production stages in men
What is the prolactin hormone?
Prolactin, which is located in the lower part of the brain and secreted from the pituitary gland in size of chickpeas, is a kind of hormone. Its main function is to make the expectant mother ready for milk production by maturing the mammary gland from the 8th week of pregnancy.
The level of prolactin remains high during pregnancy and the postpartum period. It is also responsible for ovulation and thus the interruption of the menstrual cycle. Regular secretion of the prolactin hormone from the pituitary gland during pregnancy and lactation stops the secretion of FSH and GnRH hormones for a while and prevents the formation of pregnancy again.
The reason why women who have given birth do not have menstruation and cannot become pregnant again is because of the release of prolactin. As in women, men also have a negative effect on sexual desire. It also plays a role in sperm production in men. However, in non-pregnant women, problems such as elevation of prolactin hormone, menstrual irregularity, breast milk production. Rare low prolactin levels cause insufficient milk production, slowing and stopping of ovarian functions; In men, it causes problems such as premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction, which are defined as premature ejaculation.
Prolactin (PRL, milk hormone) elevation symptoms:
The height of prolactin is called “hyperprolactinemia”.
- Anovulation and menstrual irregularity: menstrual irregularity can sometimes cause menstruation for long periods of time.
- It may cause milk or liquid to come from the breasts in women who are not pregnant or a puerperant women, who are not breastfeeding. This is called galactorrhea.
- Sensitivity and pain may occur in the breasts.
- High prolactin can cause sexual reluctance in women.
- It can cause dryness in the vagina and related pain.
- Hot flushes, irritability.
- Low levels of estrogen and testosterone hormones.
- Bone resorption (osteoporosis).
- In men, high levels of prolactin hormone can cause symptoms such as breast growth (gynecomastia), sexual anorexia, and hardening.
- Vision problems may occur in both sexes.
Low prolactin values are generally not a problem for men and women. However, high prolactin values are known as hyperprolactinemia and are an important problem.
It is normal for prolactin values to be high during and after pregnancy. However, hyperprolactinemia can cause anorexia nervousness, liver disease, kidney disease, and hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is a kind of pituitary gland disease. Pituitary gland tumors can cause high prolactin and these tumors can be removed surgically.
Some medications can cause high prolactin. Psychiatric drugs can create high prolactin. Red clover, fenugreek and fennel can also raise prolactin levels, so you can avoid consuming these materials.
What does prolactin hormone do?
- It is helpful in breast milk production.
- It is the growth factor that supports breast development.
- It has the feature of increasing sexual desire in women. Besides, it can also reduce this desire. This depends on various causes and conditions.
- It affects parenting behaviors in men.
- It helps the unborn baby to grow and develop. It also stimulates the formation of myelin coatings on brain reactions.
- Takes an active role in the lung development of newborn babies.
- It has a progesterone increasing effect on the maintenance of pregnancies.
- High prolactin concentrations during breastfeeding reduce fertility and protect women from early pregnancy.
- May cause infertility in men.
- May cause a low level of testosterone and therefore sexual reluctance.
- High levels of prolactin reduce estrogen levels in women and testosterone in men.
- It decreases Heidi, which can increase blood iron levels.