Role of Hormones in Health Maintenance

Oestrogens are important hormones in both men and women as they have over 400 functions in the body. Too much oestrogen in men causes prostate problems including cancer. There are 3 different oestrogens which should be in an ideal ratio. If the ratio is suboptimal, there is a higher risk of breast and uterine cancer.

Progesterone is a critical hormone in the female cycle as well as an intermediate hormone in the pathway to cortisol, oestrogens, and testosterone production. In premenopausal women, progesterone induces cyclic changes in the endometrium that allow implantation of the fertilized ovum. In postmenopausal women it has been suggested that a combination of progesterone plus oestrogen provides an optimal hormone profile for the prevention of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis, and for endometrial protection.

Testosterone is an anabolic steroid synthesized in both men and women. In men it is responsible for male secondary sex characteristics. In both sexes it is important for proper musculoskeletal development, general anabolic activity and libido. Testosterone decreases with age in both men and women. Testosterone replacement has been used to treat postmenopausal symptoms, especially lack of libido.

DHT is approximately 10 times more powerful then testosterone. 

DHEA is synthesized primarily in the adrenal gland and is the main precursor for oestradiol and testosterone. Closely associated with ageing, circulating DHEA levels decrease nearly fivefold between the ages of 20 to 80. It has been suggested that factors which increase DHEA levels, such as exercise, proper diet, stress reduction and supplementation, can improve some of the diseases associated with low DHEA levels.

Cortisol production has a circadian rhythm with peak levels in the early morning and low levels at night. Cortisol excess has been associated with excessive bone breakdown. Elevated cortisol levels and lack of diurnal variations have been identified with Cushing’s disease (ACTH hyper-secretion). Low cortisol levels are found in primary adrenal insufficiency (e.g. adrenal hypoplasia, Addison’s disease) and in ACTH deficiency. Generally one morning sample is taken, but four (4) samples may need to be collected over a 24-hour sampling period.

Melatonin is a hormone that is critically involved in daily circadian body rhythms and in regulating normal sleep/waking cycles in humans. It has been used as a natural sleep aid and also to overcome jet lag. Melatonin decreases with age and its role in the ageing process is important as it is a powerful antioxidant that controls our immunity. Samples may be collected at midnight or first thing in the morning. The assessment of melatonin and cortisol is offered as Sleep Cycle Screen.