The treatment of various health problems that affect our health throughout our lives can be possible after a correct diagnosis. Making this diagnosis depends on the data provided by some further investigations carried out in various situations. One of these advanced tests required for an accurate diagnosis is hormone tests, which examine various biochemical parameters in the blood.
What is a Hormone Test?
In a healthy individual, hormones are responsible for many physiological functions and mechanisms that are vital for the body. They are biochemical substances necessary for proper functioning. Each of the hormones is synthesized in its own tissues and given to the blood, and each hormone shows its effect by reaching other tissues in the body through the blood. Deficiency or excess of hormones in the blood; Hormone tests, on the other hand, are laboratory tests based on measuring the amount of blood or body fluids such as urine depending on the metabolism of the hormone in the body, separately for each hormone. In this context, separate measurements are made for each hormone produced in the body, and all these data obtained in the diagnosis of the disease are evaluated together.
The following hormone tests can be mentioned depending on the hormones in the body and the tissues and organs where the hormones are produced. :
- Thyroid hormone test: It is based on measuring the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which is responsible for the stimulation of the thyroid gland, with the hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) produced from the thyroid gland, in order to evaluate the functions of the thyroid gland.
- Sex hormones tests: It is used for the evaluation of reproductive functions in women and men. In this context, while follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) originating from the pituitary gland are examined in both sexes; hormone testing in women reveals ovarian-derived estrogen and progesterone hormones; The male hormone test covers the measurement of testosterone and androgen hormones originating from the adrenal gland and testis. hormones are produced. Within the scope of this test, gland functions are evaluated by measuring pituitary-derived adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and adrenal gland-derived aldosterone, cortisol, adrenaline, noradrenaline and androgen hormones. The gland produces a number of important hormones for the body. With this test, growth hormone (growth hormone – GH), prolactin (PRL), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and antidiuretic hormone (ADH) levels are examined. .
- Pancreas hormone tests: Pancreas gland, which concerns the whole body; It is also the production center of important hormones that regulate the gastrointestinal system. In this context, the levels of important hormones such as insulin and some insulin-related hormones (IGF-1, C-peptide), glucagon, somatostain and VIP are examined.
- Tests for other hormones: Apart from these, parathormone ( Some disorders can be evaluated based on the levels of various hormones such as PTH), calcitonin, vitamin D, erythropoietin (EPO), melatonin, beta-human chorionic gonadotropic hormone (β-hCG).
How is the Hormone Test Performed?
Although the measurement method and method differ for each hormone test, in general, the hormone tests are studied from a blood sample taken in a separate tube. In the types of hormones in which the hormone blood levels are sufficient for the diagnosis of the disease, it is sufficient to determine the hormone level in the blood. . For example, using a 24-hour urine sample for the correct determination of the adrenal cortisol hormone or checking the metanephrine level for the adrenaline level can be shown. It is determined by very different parameters such as age, gender, daily activity, additional diseases, nutritional habits, smoking, alcohol consumption and the time period of the analysis. Since r can affect hormone levels; It is very important to perform hormone tests at the right time for the evaluation of diseases.
How to Do a Hormone Test During Menstruation?
If a woman is scheduled to have a hormone test, usually the day for the test is determined according to the person's menstrual cycle. The reason for this is that the physiological events that cause menstrual bleeding are directly related to the changes in the levels of hormones in women. Therefore, basal values of hormone levels can be measured on the first day of menstruation. This is considered the day when menstrual bleeding begins. In other words, the woman's menstrual cycle starts with the first day of bleeding and the number of days until the next bleeding; It determines the length of the menstrual cycle.
Hormone Test is Performed on Which Day of Menstruation?
Since the levels of hormones other than sex hormones in women may be related to the menstrual cycle, especially in health problems related to endocrine diseases, blood hormone test in the blood occurs when bleeding occurs. It is done in the first days of the menstrual cycle, which is dated.
Is Thyroid Hormone Test Performed on an empty stomach?
Thyroid hormone test; As with other biochemical tests, it is one of the recommended tests to be done on an empty stomach. This is because dietary nutrients can affect the levels of hormones responsible for its regulation in the body. In this sense, in order to accurately determine the health problem investigated in the body, it is necessary to act according to the basal values of the hormones. For this, the tests are done after a minimum of 8-12 hours of fasting.
Why is the Hormone Test Performed?
Hormone tests are frequently used for diagnosis and treatment follow-up of various diseases involving the endocrine system and for some chronic diseases. It is performed to evaluate the changes in hormones during the course of the disease. In this direction, the function of all hormone glands related to the disease under investigation
- The thyroid test consists of examining the levels of the hormones produced by the thyroid gland and the TSH hormone that triggers the production of these hormones. In this way, the presence of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, which are thyroid dysfunctions, can be detected. Similarly, thyroid function tests can be performed in various disorders that develop as a result of disruptions in thyroid functions. Accordingly, the levels of FSH, LH, estrogen and progesterone, which play an active role in the regulation of the menstrual cycle, and other hormones that can affect the menstrual cycle are examined.
- Hormone testing may be required for abnormal hair growth in women. In this context, besides the hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle; The levels of androgen hormones belonging to the adrenal gland can also be checked.
- The levels of hormones that regulate calcium metabolism, such as vitamin D, parathormone, and calcitonin, related to bone resorption and changes in calcium levels, are investigated.
- Some forms of diabetes mellitus are examined. Since it can develop due to chronic diseases, hormone tests are applied for hormone elevations that may cause this.
- Hormone tests are very valuable in various diseases such as acromegaly, Cushing's disease, Conn's syndrome, which concern the endocrine system.
- In pregnant women; The levels of some hormones are measured in triple screening tests, which are used both in the diagnosis of pregnancy, in the evaluation of pregnancy complications, and in the examination of the health of the baby in the womb.
What Do Changes in the Hormone Test Mean?
Hormone test results often give data on the level of the measured hormone in the blood. Accordingly, it can be concluded that the production of the hormone increases or decreases; There may also be situations where the metabolism of the hormone in the body increases or decreases. Often, when the level of a hormone increases, it is concluded that there is an increase in the functioning of the organ where the hormone is produced. Similarly, the decrease in hormone levels; It suggests that there are disruptions in the functioning of the relevant organ. For example, if the thyroid gland is normal In a person who works the most, symptoms related to hyperthyroidism occur, while thyroid hormone levels in the blood are found to increase. Similarly, since the regulation of blood sugar is impaired in type 2 diabetes, a serious decrease occurs in the level of insulin, which lowers blood sugar. According to the changes in hormone levels, specific treatment is planned for the related ailment diagnosed in the patient. In this direction, various drug treatments can be applied, and the hormone, whose level is decreased, can be administered externally to the body by mouth or injection. In some diseases where the organs are overworked, surgical treatment methods that aim to remove part or all of the relevant organ can be adopted. You can ask the expert team of Group Florence Nightingale Hospitals about the issues you are wondering about hormone tests, and you can ask for suggestions regarding your question. You can use the contact form on our website to reach us.
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