Why you should test your hormones

Have you ever felt like you transform into a whole different person around that "time of the month"?

Or maybe, you feel like you ran a marathon over the weekend, even if you were just lounging around at home? 

Feeling "off" and exhausted all the time may just be your body's way of telling you that it's about time you tune in. 

If you totally identify with the things I mentioned above, it might be hormone imbalance that's wreaking havoc on your body.  Now is a good time to check on your family's history - try to talk to your mom, sisters, or aunts to see if they've had or are going through the same experiences. 

Now, before you actually take a hormone test, I'd like you to also consider these 4 influential pillars in your life:

1. Blood sugar balance
2. Micronutrients 
3. Stress
4. Gut imbalances

Any deficiencies or overflow in any of these pillars influence your hormone levels. Hormone balance is more than hormone tests, taking birth control, or monitoring your menstrual cycle.  Hormone imbalance can be an effect of any of these 4, and that is why I like working on these 4 pillars first before doing deep work with hormone testing.  

The usual ways to get tested is through blood or serum sampling or saliva testing. I prefer DUTCH (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones).  

Taking a DUTCH test for me is a more comprehensive workup that provides more factors to read and analyze. In episode Episode 094, Dr Carrie Jones and I nerd out on hormone testing and stress hormones.  

Before you have a listen to Episode #136 of the Less Stressed Life, and get a deeper understanding of why you should test your hormones,  I'd like to share how I see sex hormones using these personas:

1. Estrogen

Estrogen, for me, is like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.  When your estrogen is too high, you may experience acne or heavy cramping during your period . If your estrogen is too low. you may experience depression.

2. Progesterone 

Homecoming queen.  "Happy hormones" - everyone wants to know how to increase progesterone.  

Maintenance man.  You need him around but not all the time.  Not enough though will make you feel crappy.

These sex hormones decrease and increase in a cycle which makes your menstrual cycle.  These sex hormones, as well as the 4 pillars I mentioned above, can influence how you feel at any point during the month.

Now go click on this link and have a listen to why you should test your hormones.