205 Adrenal and Sex Hormones

Description

This profile is used to evaluate the adrenal glands and hormone balance. In the event of adrenal exhaustion and imbalances in the reported hormones, underlying causes must be determined through additional lab testing and investigation into environmental and lifestyle factors; while also supporting the endocrine system with therapies and lifestyle modifications.

When the body is under chronic stress, pregnenolone, the precursor to all other steroidal hormones, is diverted to produce cortisol (known as pregnenelone steal or cortisol escape – see Steroidal Hormone Principle Pathways). This is to the detriment of all other steroidal hormones (such as DHEA and its metabolites, including progesterone, testosterone, and the estrogens). As pregnenolone is diverted to cortisol, DHEA depletion begins. The result is an elevated cortisol to DHEA ratio. A normal ratio is approximately 5:1 to 6:1.

Profile #205 includes additional hormones for a more complete view into the impacts of chronic stress on the individual’s core body systems. A vast amount of information can be gathered through this profile.