Hormone Testing
Trying to rebalance your hormones can feel overwhelming. As women, we navigate so many things. We are stressed and fatigued from trying to keep up with all the things: our kids’ schedule, working, keeping the house running, meal planning, exercise, the list goes on and on. As moms and women, we tend to prioritize everything and everyone else before ourselves. Low mood, lack of sleep, low energy, and a struggle to maintain a healthy weight becomes a struggle. It’s at this point when women tend to seek help, but where do we begin?
Enter, functional lab testing. This is one of the best ways to get started. Functional lab testing is completed at home and is either saliva or finger prick blood spot test. Once you know your levels it’s easy to know which direction to go. At Flourish, we recommend one of the two tests below for hormone testing:
Women’s Wellness Test: As we age, it’s common for hormone levels to fluctuate. While estrogen is considered the primary female hormone, it has an important relationship with progesterone. This test looks at both levels and the relationship of the two. Additionally, this test looks at cortisol to see how stress may be impacting your hormones and overall health.
Stress, Mood, and Metabolism Test: This test gives a full picture to identify any imbalances directly affecting overall metabolic function. It looks at estrogen, progesterone, their relationship, and cortisol. It also tests thyroid function, blood sugar regulation, and vitamin D levels. This test examines all key hormone functions.
In addition to functional lab testing, it is also important to look at diet, stress management, and sleep.
Diet: Aim for a diet consisting of nutrient-dense foods. Fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and moderate amounts of organic, grass-fed meat if you’d like.
Stress Management: Take time each day to take care of yourself. Walk in nature, sit in the sun, meditate, journal, or complete a gentle exercise. It is important to allow yourself time for rest and rejuvenation.
Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Create a bedtime routine and stick with it. Allow yourself time to wind down each night before bed. Turn off electronics, make your room dark, and use a sound machine if needed.
As we age, it’s important to keep hormone levels in check in order to manage stress levels, maintain a healthy weight, and have energy. Our recommendation is to have your hormone levels tested yearly, especially as you begin to enter perimenopause. Knowledge is power and knowledge with action is where real rebalancing happens.